What to do with all of the shavings from wood turning? Aside from burning, putting in the compost pile or the garden I decided to make some fire starters. You stuff a cardboard egg carton bottom with sawdust or shavings, melt some old candles and pour them in. WARNING... put foil or wax paper under the egg carton first as the liquid wax tends to seep through the egg carton. When all is dry, cut them up into 12 pieces (or how many eggs your carton holds) and you have a successful fire starter. They work pretty well.