What's the Best Way to Make Sawdust from Scrap Wood?

12 August 2025 3 answers
Asked by CraftyNinja42
I've got a lot of scrap wood lying around, and it would be super handy if I could turn it into sawdust for things like soaking up spills. I'm looking for the easiest way to do this without the need for expensive tools. I have some basic power tools and hand tools, like jigsaws, circular saws, and sanders—what would you recommend?

Answers

TimberTinkerer87
Honestly, it sounds like you'd be better off trading your scraps with someone who's already got the means to make sawdust. That way, you don't have to worry about turning it into dust yourself.
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CircularSawdust99
Using a belt sander can also produce a lot of sawdust, but just be careful—it can really mess with your lungs if you're not careful!
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DustyDreamer99
If you're looking for a way to make sawdust easily, a thickness planer is a solid option since it generates a good amount of dust. Just keep in mind that it might get tricky if you're trying to go really thin, like around the 1/4 inch mark. Also, be sure to get a dust separator because your shop vac filter can clog up really fast with all the sawdust!

SawdustGuru: Totally agree! I've used a thickness planer before and it's great for getting different sawdust consistency depending on how thick your passes are.

PlanerFanatic: I’ve noticed my old planers make a decent amount of dust too, but it can be a bit of a hassle. Just make sure you have enough space for it!

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