Woodturning Online

Having just vacumed out the bin under my table saw today, Im wondering what ingenious ideas or options others have come up with to utilize shavings & sawdust other than compost or muclh.

I have always thought that there must be a way to create some sort of camefire starter log/sick (something that will burn on its own when lit by a match).

J

argghh!! ...shoulda searched the fire starter idea first as I found dozens of variations on the first try...but there must be other ideas out there folks have used...

J

These days my shaving end up going to our recycling center where they mulch it and then return the compost to the residents. It's nice!

But in the past, it was mulch for walking paths around the house. I normally didn't use it in garden beds unless they were flowers only, never for food!

And I've used it as a fire started too! I would save egg cartons, the cardboard ones only. I would fill the individual holes in the cartons about 1/2 full of shaving, not sawdust and then pour in candle wax until filled. And then each time I wanted to start a fire, I would tear off one section, light the cardboard and away you go!

The candle wax was from left over candle ends or candles purchase for free (or near free) at local yard sales. I use the double boiler method of heating the wax using any old aluminum can from our recycling bin. If you don't use a double boiler, you risk the chance of a large fire!

This fire starter technique was handed down in the family and have been in use for decades. It's so easy!

Dennis

Sawdust, chips and all that.I generally leave out the front of the house with a sign "free mulch" and off it goes. The application is to use it for heating the shop via a sawdust burning fire. I've got the article somewhere, you use to oil drums one inside the other 25gal and 44gal drums. With the right set up you can expect 4-8hrs burning time. The variance is due to type and moisture content etc.

I don't do anything so elaborate as mold candles. I roll my shavings in newspaper to make big Doobies and stuff them under some kindling to start the fire. Since I make them in great quantity, I can afford to be generous. The current fire has been going for over a month already, and won't go entirely out for at least a month and a half more, so the horse lovers are getting a bonus.

If you or someone you know uses a grill or smoker, they make copious amounts of smoke compared to large chips. I save all hickory, pecan, apple, etc. Someone always wants them (no mesquite around here ). Wet thoroughly of course.
Mike

I combine my shavings with a little kerosene and store it in a sealed 5 gallon bucket and use it as a fire starter. The rest I spread in my chicken coop. Guess it pays to live in the country and have chickens.

Sylvan

Why make fire starter when you can make logs? Make corn starch glue. Mix 1 cup corn starch and a gallon of water. Cook while stiring to avoid lump. Cool down and mix sawdust. Put the mixture in mould. Cartoon tubes, rolled newspaper or paper bags. Put it asside until it's hard.