Woodworking from Offcuts

Every workshop has a collection of offcuts that have been saved because they will come in handy one day. When you see the enticing projects presented in Woodworking from Offcuts you will know that that day has come!

Here are 20 appealing and useful projects to make relatively quickly and simply for your home, office, workshop, and garden. All the projects in this book can be made using pieces of wood from the scrap pile and can be tackled by woodworkers with a range of skill levels. Competent novices will gain more confidence by working with an off-cut that, by definition, can't be ruined or wasted if it goes wrong, while the intermediate-level and more advanced woodworker will value the inspiration to make a novel gift or knick-knack from that last piece of treasured teak.

Ranging from a simple serving platter to a beautiful bird box, there is a project to suit every level of expertise and every carefully saved piece of timber that has been squirrelled away. Projects include: salad serving forks, serving platter, recipe book holder, meat tenderizer, spaghetti gauge, angle-poise lamp, desk tidy, letter rack, pen case/necklace box, floating shelves, marble game board, a wedge end box, a dovetailed sliding lid box, picture/mirror frame, ring box, collectors' tray, Japanese work trestle, tool caddy, garden planter, and bird box.

The 'Basics' section covers all the tools, materials, and techniques, including making and using jigs, required to tackle the projects. All 20 projects are explained in a straightforward way, with clear step-by-step photos illustrating the techniques involved. All projects also have a dimensioned drawing with colour fill-in, plus for most, a 3D colour exploded perspective showing construction/how to put the project together. There is also a guide to the tools and materials you will need.

Author: Derek Jones began his career in the woodworking industry as an apprentice to a cabinetmaker, learning on the job the meticulous skills needed for fine furniture making. He went on to do an HND in 3D Design and began taking on his own bespoke furniture and joinery commissions. After time spent developing his design and project management skills, he is now the editor of Furniture and Cabinetmaking magazine and author of French Polishing and Bird, Bee and Bug Houses, both published by GMC Publications.