I put my shavings on walking paths in the back of my yard and in between the raised beds. You can’t use it as mulch right away because it leaches nutrients out of the soil that your plants need. If you let it compost for a year, though, it makes great mulch. My mom has used purpleheart shavings as bedding in her flower arrangements.

On shavings

I place a carton (wine case, typically) on the floor near the end of the board I am planingand clean the shaings into it on each stroke (or try to). It becomes a bit of a rhythm thing and encourages me to lift the plane off the plank after each stroke, which is a good thing, I am told.
When the box is full I either add it to the compost (grass clippings) bin (summer) or throw them on the open fireplace in winter. The kids love the blaze!

On WIA

FWIW, I think that your impressions and reactions will be more valuable than straight reporting. Some guys the straight “nes” stuff, but your podcast and blog is like ‘oped’ (opinion/editorial) in a newspaper. I look on you as sort of the Alastair Cooke of the Woodworking blogpodsphere – interviews would be nice, with the people you like talking to, but just your thoughts, reactions and analysis would make for interesting listening.

Cheers

Jeremy

They also make excellent, environmentally friendly packing material. I always use them instead of plastic bubble wrap or foam peanuts. Other woodworkers get a real kick out of it when I send them packages.

I’ve also heard they are good as bedding for livestock stalls or pet cages.