Here’s my situation: I’m still pretty new to woodworking and recently scored a big pile of hardwood cutoffs for free on Marketplace. There are a bunch of small pieces I might end up tossing, but there are also some decent 2-3’ strips and a few even longer pieces. I can identify some of the obvious types, like walnut, but I’m clueless on a lot of the other species. My goal is to make some frames, maybe a cutting board or two, and a few small boxes. I’d also like to practice joinery.
I tend to hang on to things (hoarder instincts kicking in!), but I’d really love to know how more experienced woodworkers decide what scraps are worth keeping. What’s your criteria for keeping pieces, and what dimensions do you consider useful?
