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The Most Exotic Bonfire Ever

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8K views 17 replies 17 participants last post by  toddc 
#1 ·
The Most Exotic Bonfire Ever

As a semi-anual tradition (on an as-needed basis) I clean out my shop and load my truck with the un-lucky wood scraps that don't make the "cut", and either take them camping or to the beach for a very exotic, very expensive bonfire.

So last week my wife and I camped for two nights at Pfieffer Big Sur along the coast of California. This is about 6 months worth of scraps awaiting there fate:

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A partial list of whats in that pile:


Now I know what you are thinking: OH MY GOD WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!!! But I assure you that I individually analyzed each one of these scraps for project potential. Most of them were either so small I couldn't even make a guitar pick out of them or checked/split beyond recognition, etc.

The truth is I just can't keep everything or I won't have space to work. I also rediscover the GOOD scraps whenever I clean out my shop like this. So its a win/win. And besides, Quilted Maple and Bee's Wing mahogany makes a REALLY nice, warm campfire.

I have a rule that once I make the decision to get rid of a piece of wood, it can't come back to my shop. Here is me breaking the rule in the background:

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Practice dovetails about to meed destiny:

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Noooooooooooooooo!


Hiking Big Sur

Big Sur is absolutely gorgeous, and its just a short drive down the coast from our home in Santa Cruz. I am basically just posting the following photos to show Todd Clippinger that he's not the only one with a beautiful playground in his back yard.

This is me soaking the new wildland fire boots in order to break them in for fire season:

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Rockin' the Japan Woodworker t-shirt:

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The coastline at Andrew Molera State Park after a short hike:

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The views at Julia Pfieffer State Park:

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It may not be Montana but its ok :)

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#3 ·
We have fires in my in-laws fire pit with my scraps.

The best part is setting these on fire


then we make screaming noises. " OH OH MY ANTLERS I'M ON FIRE!! THE PAIN!! HELP ME!!"

Ok your 5 minutes starts NOW!
 
#7 ·
I know how you feel..I cringe inside everytime I have to throw out scraps..so what I started to do is put a plug cutter in my drillpress and make as many plugs I can get out of the scraps..then I have a wide selection of different colored plugs I can use to accent my projects
 
#8 ·
Way to give Todd Clippinger some competition on the "most beautiful place to have a shop" front. Although, in his photos you can see his shop and the cliffs over the Yellowstone river at the same time. Thanks for opening the door with the "just a short drive" qualifier. Now you can count on me working some pictures of the Cascade Mountains into future posts.

-Bryan
 
#10 ·
Good use of fireplace scraps.

I collect fireplace scraps. I just made 260 fender pieces 2" X 10" of Honduras mahogany that I picked up from a fire pit box at my wood supplier. And I got a lot leftover. I'm guessing that it's about 100 BD Ft of mahogany that I scarfed.

Not big enough for a door or window, but big enough for kids toys.
 
#16 ·
I get instant gratification on my scraps as I burn them in my shop for heat. It also erases a bonehead mistake quickly so no one sees them….I can say…with a straight face….that every project in my shop is perfect….lol.
 
#18 ·
Well, it's OK may be used to describe the scenery there, but downright gorgeous would do too;)

Rita and I will have to hit the west coast sometime. We would really enjoy hiking around that area.

Thanks for sharing some great scenery!
 
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