As a craftsman, you’re no stranger to the mountains of sawdust following a woodworking project. At first, these piles of fine byproducts might seem like nothing more than a hassle to clean up. However, with a little ingenuity and elbow grease, these would-be castaways can be transformed into a gold mine of potential. These 9 ingenious uses will permanently change how you view sawdust.
1. Homemade fire starter
Want the convenience of immediate fire starters without the hefty price tag? Sawdust is the solution! Mix melted wax with sawdust, let it cool, break it into small pieces, and voila! You’ve got a homemade pack of starters for building the perfect fire. Avoid using sawdust from stained or treated lumber as the chemicals can emit dangerous smoke.
2. Traction on slippery surfaces.
Working on slippery surfaces is a major hassle and a significant safety hazard. Whether you’re dealing with an icy driveway or a wet garage, tossing some sawdust on the floor adds some much-needed traction. It’ll reduce the risk of painful falls while increasing the precision and quality of your work. Fair warning: the cleanup process is a bit of a hassle.
3. Absorb spills and leaks.
With a bucketful of sawdust at your disposal, there’s no reason to cry over spilled…well, anything. This highly absorbent powder is perfect for soaking up paint, grease, oil, coolant, antifreeze, varnishes, dyes, water, and other common workshop liquids. Simply blanket the puddle with a light layer of sawdust, allow it to absorb the liquid, and clean it up with a broom.
4. Ecological packing material.
Why use bubble wrap or packing peanuts to cushion fragile shipments when you produce a perfect packing material in the workshop? Sawdust provides the same protective qualities as these standard packing fillers without the accompanying cost or ecological impact. If you’re shipping handmade items for some extra cash, this is the perfect cost-free alternative.
5. Odor control.
Don’t let those stubborn smells coming from the trashcan ruin your workshop or garage’s atmosphere. Sprinkle sawdust at the bottom of your waste bins, compost containers, and even recycle bins to absorb persistent odors and moisture. When trash day rolls around, scrape out the sawdust and toss it in the trash can. Replace and repeat for a fresh, odor-free shop.
6. Hand cleaner.
Standard soap doesn’t have the oomph needed to clear a craftsman’s hands of more persistent contaminants such as grease, oil, or paint. Applying some sawdust to the mix when cleaning your hands can add the perfect amount of abrasiveness and grittiness required to scrub your hands clean after a hard day’s work. Plus, it adds a nice musky, lumber scent.
7. Filling holes or cracks.
Lumber is always full of cracks, holes, gashes, and dents which can leave your woodworking projects with some minor imperfections. The sawdust leftover from sawing can be used to fill those defects for the perfect color match. Add wood glue or epoxy resin to the finest sawdust you can find. Mix until you have a paste, apply it over the cracks, and sand it after drying.
8. Footwear deodorizer.
Craftsmen are no strangers to questionable smells coming from their footwear. Whether it’s those classic brown leather boots or your official job site boots, you put gear through its paces. Fortunately, a small pouch of sawdust and baking soda can neutralize those nasty smells by absorbing odor-causing moisture.
9. Animal bedding.
Sawdust is a natural insulator due to its fine and dense characteristics. This property makes it an organic, sustainable, and free option for animal bedding. Its absorbing qualities can help livestock and pets dry and comfortable. Again, make sure the sawdust is from untreated wood to prevent exposing animals to potentially harmful chemicals.
Perhaps the only thing sawdust can’t do is assist in your job search. But, that’s where a staffing expert like Madden Industrial Craftsmen comes into play. With decades of experience pairing talented craftsmen with leading industrial companies, these professionals can help you find a rewarding job quickly. Check out our job search to find immediate job openings near you.
