Editorial desk · Practical notes

Give offcuts a useful inventory

Sort sound offcuts by material and usable size. Remove pieces with unknown coatings or hidden fasteners from the project pile until they can be assessed.

Label suitable pieces with approximate dimensions. Store them so they cannot fall or obstruct a walkway, and keep small scraps in a stable container.

Before buying material for a small project, consult the inventory. Choose a design that fits a suitable piece rather than compromising the design merely to use a scrap.