Replies

1. 
   YesMaam27577 | Jan 04, 2009 01:20am | #1

   Be careful what glue you use. Most glues will not allow the wood fibers to absorb stain.

   And be careful whether or not the glue will allow stain absorbtion -- sanding dust will act like end grain, which will stain differently than side/long grain.

   Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.
1. 
   omni | Jan 04, 2009 11:05pm | #5

   I will not be staining,so it's not an issue.Was thinking of using shellac instead of pva.any thoughts about that?The finish will be an oil/poly product.Thank you all for your input,Omni

1. 
   Rich14 | Jan 05, 2009 01:13am | #6

   omni,Yes, shellac and wood dust can make a serviceable wood filler. So can stick shellac which you apply by heating.You could also mix the wood dust with a cyanoacrylate glue. One of the slower-setting mixtures would be best for a filler.Mix shellac and the wood dust until you have a thick paste and fill the defect. It should be dry enough for sanding in 30 minutes or so.Rich

1. 
   omni | Jan 05, 2009 01:32am | #7

   Thanks Rich,I'll try the shellac as I'm too slow for the CA,Omni

2. 
   SteveSchoene | Jan 05, 2009 06:07am | #8

   Even without staining, you need to consider the how the filler will be colored by the top coat.  Personally, I would never try to use any sort of putty like filler before finish has been applied.  Wood slivers cut from the same boards, with the grain oriented to match the places to be filled are best.  Glue in place with hide glue. 

   Where that won't work, apply any filler to match after the basic top coats have been applied, with only one or two to go.  That way when you match colors you get the right match. 

   There really isn't a "stainable" filler that accepts stain the same as bare wood surrounding it.  Shoot, two boards of the same species of wood don't always accept stain the same way, why should some entirely different material accept stain the same as the wood. 

    

1. 
   omni | Jan 05, 2009 07:53pm | #9

   Thanks for the info,Omni

2. 
   xmike | Jan 04, 2009 01:28am | #2

   I know from experience that yellow glue will not stain like the wood - seems to actually block the stain.

   I have read (no direct experience) that you can use the liquid form of hide glue or fish glue for this with good results.

   Are you up for a test run and report back to us?

   Mike D :)

1. 
   davcefai | Jan 04, 2009 09:48am | #3

   Thinking aloud here.Could one make a stainable filler from sanding dust and gypsum? The gypsum is porous and will absorb a lot of stain. However if the bulk of the filler is wood dust then the end result wouldd be an end-grain colour.Taking this further, you could use gypsum/PVA glue/wood dust. The glue would reduce stain uptake.The problem with this blend is that it would have to be prepared fresh each time as the gypsum would harden in minutes from the water in the glue. Or else premix the gypsum and wood and have a recipe on the lines of "2 drops of glue per teaspoon of powder".

1. 
   xmike | Jan 04, 2009 09:05pm | #4

   I would recommend that you ask Pete Gedrys this question - quite possibly he will know the answer as to the best stainable filler without even pausing to think on it.
   Mike D