Preserving Odd Bits of Wood

When I am working, especially with hand tools, I sometimes notice unique and special shavings or chips or other side products in my shaping of a piece.

While wasting away material with a bench chisel, I noticed the interesting fractured chip that was being produced simultaneously.

I saved four of them and later cut a recess into a board of the same shape as one and inlaid the chip into it.  Today, it is still just a chip in a board, but one day it may become a lid to a box.

Another chip, created again with a bench chisel, caught my attention.  This one is about 1-1/2″ diameter and definitely too fragile on its own (the tip broke off while I was handling it).  To strengthen it, I dipped it in brushing lacquer, pulled it out and let it dry, then repeated the process to plasticize the chip.  Now, it is strong enough to handle.

I used a dab of cyanoacrylate glue to bond it to a circular piece of metal 5/8″ diameter.  It’s cool.  It’s unique.  It’s a miniature sculpture.  It’s typical of me.  It’s also my playing piece for board games.