Replies

1. 
   roc | Oct 15, 2009 07:42am | #1

   Any chance of a photograph ?

   Probably there is nothing you can do. That will look right. Just to fill the gaps use epoxy and wood saw dust from the specific piece of wood or similar.

   It will look like " Oh look some body filled in these cracks with this stuff ". But it will be smoother for cleaning purposes etc.

   Not what you wanted to hear was it. If you put the piece in more humid atmosphere the cracks may close up on their own. That would be best.

   roc

   Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )

2. 
   derekcohen | Oct 15, 2009 09:00am | #2

   I would try and match the wood, cut thin wedges, and hammer them into the gaps in such a way that the end grain (not face grain) is showing. Once you have planed it back and added your finish (which also darkens the endgrain of the dovetails) it will be impossible to see the patches.

   Regards from Perth

   Derek

3. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Oct 15, 2009 06:12pm | #3

   I'm going to agree with Derek on the wedges. And if end grain is showing you must use end grain with the wedge or it will stick out like a sore thumb. The wedges are not necessarily easy to cut especially if some have to be ultra thin but.. I am told you get pretty good at doing it after years of practice. That's what I was told anyway. ha.. ha... ha..ha..ha..

   Good luck...

   Sarge..

   Woodworkers' Guild of Georgia

1. 
   Eef | Oct 15, 2009 07:33pm | #5

   hey sarge,ditto.it would be interesting to read a thread that discussed what our most often made mistakes and the subsequent solutions are. i'll wager we all have much in common and that that commonality is more about solutions than problems/mistakes.
   eef

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Oct 15, 2009 08:18pm | #6

   If you're interested Eef.. why don't you start the thread. Don't cost a nickel extra like the extra pat of butter for your toast at Waffle House. The truth is out there.. now go find it. ha..ha...

   Regards...

    Sarge..

   Woodworkers' Guild of Georgia

4. 
   Lataxe | Oct 15, 2009 07:24pm | #4

   Binky,

   Agree with Derek & Sarge.

   There is a description about stuffing dovetail gaps with veneer, at the bottom of this post (3 pictures up from the bottom one).  Also, beaumontage (shellac mixed with wax) or hard wax can fill very small gaps.  Again, see the bottom-end of this post:

   http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=fw-knots&msg=46845.1&search=y

   Lataxe

1. 
   Binkydo | Oct 15, 2009 09:59pm | #7

   Thank You very much that was very helpful.