Bottom feeding in the woodworking world, Part 2

In my last article, I delved into how to source small pieces of wood (such as those found in firewood crates) and use them as basic project building blocks. I believe that the contribution of working under constraints to our development as capable manufacturers and that these kinds of scraps help rewire our creative brains to think outside the box. I emphasized how to become a catalyst for

Get note scrap

Today we will explore a sub-category of woodworking from scrap that I call “Featured Scrap”.AsA crap of note is an unusually large piece of scrap with a peculiar shape that requires special attention. Some of the best scrap worth noting are cut-offs from CNC milling processes or important vestigial segments from band sawing operations. When I notice it, I don’t think about how to break it down and use it as parts for other projects. thinking about. new work.

This takes us on my recent scrap hunting expedition that produced the perfect ensemble of items to showcase remarkable scrap and its potential.

Last fall, my friend Kemal Lowenthalwas approached by Otraa boutique furniture studio in Brooklyn, New York, asked if they would like to receive some of their remaining scraps.

Production manager Megan Arlen offered to give him a hard piece of walnut, oak, and other domestic hardwoods that the company milled for the project. After returning from Brooklyn and bringing with him plenty of lumber to meet the needs of his students for quite some time, he told me about it and connected me to Meghan. I asked him if he would be my patron saint of scraps.

When the past meets the present

A few weeks later, I hopped in my car and arrived in one of the most static yet exciting suburbs in the New York metro area.studio conceived by Sophia and Adam Zimmerman Located in an old red brick pier warehouse building in what was once the bustling Brooklyn Harbor. In his final half mile (800 m) driving toward the Allied Pier to illustrate how this part of New York has been forgotten, the pavement changes from his 19th century original cobblestones to modern day. I drove down a street that was a mixture of asphalt patches. Because of the countless potholes that plagued its path.

The buildings, roads, and distant view of Ms. Liberty give a sense of the good old days, but everything in the studio was modern.

The brightly lit shop features state-of-the-art equipment such as wide joiners and planers, panel table saws, shapers, long bar clamp docks and giant CNC machines.

The company is known for making solid wood sculptural furniture projects. We developed a technique that lowers the weight and center of gravity of furniture by strategically milling purposeful air gaps in each segment before sandwiching the furniture.

Here Meghan Arlen glues round solid oak table segments together.

Unique scraps make unique projects

Molding the outside and milling the recesses inside resulted in a very figurative scrap, some of which I was able to take home.

My car was loaded with hardwood scraps including some beautiful scraps.

In addition to these artistic scraps, leftovers from the initial sawing process and lamination adhesives produce plenty of scrap stock to reuse and reuse. I’ve started using small scraps and turning them into utensils and cutting boards.

However, the more unique pieces are still waiting for their moment in the sun. To illustrate how I approached this design challenge, I’ve prepared a few sketches showing how these scraps can be integrated into new furniture.

Follow along as we discuss this design path.

cinder block

These laminated walnut blocks with distinct trapezoidal voids reminded me of cinder blocks. It can be used as is or split into subunits, offering many design opportunities.

Cinder Block Shelves and Tables:

Cinder block shelves and stools:

Cinder block coffee table with glass top:

Mesa

Used as the base of a trestle table leg, a figurative shelf support, or part of a mirror frame, these mesa-like ash blocks have many possibilities.

wings

These impressive wing-like wide, long walnut pieces are some of the best pieces I’ve found.

Note that rotating the wings by 90° or 180° or joining two wings together end-to-end opens up new design possibilities.

like finding a needle in a haystack

Note scraps rank highest in my ledger, but they are hard to find. more open. Makers like to donate scrap but always prefer to address seekers as groups rather than individuals. We prefer to give. To start your search, you can contact your local furniture maker and ask around. But perhaps a better approach is to contact those companies on behalf of the Woodworking Club. So if you belong to a local woodworking association, club, or guild, it’s a good idea to gather members and reach out together.

Finally, don’t forget that what the scrap benefactor doesn’t want is the chooser, the beggar.