Replies

1. 
   carver34 | May 07, 2008 04:00am | #1

   I recently read that superglue combined with sawdust from the same project makes a good gap filling colour matched filler though I haven't tried it.  So far I've been failry succesful filling the small gaps with thin slivers of wood.

2. 
   pita | May 07, 2008 05:47am | #2

   Simple, all you need is some 5 minuter epoxy (the epoxy must be clear), collect sawdust when sanding with 220 grit, tape off the area around where you will be filling, mix epoxy and sawdust, and fill.

   Now if you are staining the piece; for example, staining Maple a dark walnut color the sawdust you mix with the epoxy has to be the same or similar color of the stain.  This is important because epoxy does not accept stain.  Now if you want an ideal match go ahead and stain a scrap piece, let it set 5 hrs or so then go ahead and sand it with 220 grit.  Now take the stained saw dust and mix it into the epoxy, you have a dead match.

   Good luck!

3. 
   tom77 | May 07, 2008 04:31pm | #3

   It is important to consider grain direction when repairing gaps. In dovetail joints, you always have end grain in one side of the joint. For relative large gaps, a wedge can be wetted with glue and driven into the joint. The wedge material should be the same as the material whose end grain is next to the gap. This type of repair is virtually invisible.

   Small gaps can be repaired by using crazy glue wicked into the gap, followed by sanding over the gap. The glue will grab the sawdust and fill the gap.

   I would not use any type of filler. It shows and won't stand up to scrutiny.

   In a gap between long grain at right angles, a piece of veneer can be glued parallel to the long grain and not be noticeable.

   Experiment around and you will quickly learn the tricks.

   Good luck, Tom. (One who has practiced repair)

1. 
   michaelwhipp | May 07, 2008 11:39pm | #4

   Thanks Tom and everyone else for your advice