stabilized wood repair

Freds Edge

Freds Edge

Well-Known Member
Any idea's on repairing a small pit that developed on a stabilized box elder handle? I 'am considering trying some super glue as a filler.
 
It depends on how big the pit is. Do I assume correctly that you sanded or cut into it; that it didn't appear on the surface of the wood. If it's small, I would consider leaving it alone, especially if you are sure that it doesn't open up into a larger void. I'm afraid that trying to cover these things up it is like putting makeup over a pimple. Yes, you may not see the pimple anymore but you have this little off color/off texture spot on your face that says "zit under here". If it is a real problem, like it does open up into a void, remove the handles and start all over. This is just one of the very few problems that can come from using wood, even stabilized wood. All materials have their advantages and disadvantages. It is also more likely to happen with burl or spalted wood.

Doug
 
Doug , I think I will make some repair , it is very small but it is on a radius . I 'm going to use a pin to apply a small amount of stabilizing agent of some sort to the void.
 
I've worked with buckeye and found small voids and checks after it was stabilized that I preferred to fill. I used thin superglue, applied it to the offending spot and after letting it sit for a few minutes went over it with the belt grinder and a finish belt. The fine grindings mix with the setting glue and provide a good fill that's basically undetectable.
 
+1 on what Frank said.

The second option and always a good one is thin epoxy. I use west systems. I tend to apply this when I am cutting blocks into scales. some woods are more prone to have issues. Buckeye and others are just by nature more prone to have natural voids. and or cracking from the stabilization process itself. Which will need some repair to make the material the best it can be.

CA glue is great. but.. I feel like I should say this. I just re made a handle for a client from a knife I made a couple of years ago. One where I used Crazy glue to fill about 6 spots on the handle. 2 which were fracture cracks. and pretty deep. .. Over time the wood has did its thing and the ca glue did its thing. but these were 2 very different things. so I replaced the handle. :)

Have fun.
Randy
 
You got it, Randy. The CA treatment is just a surface imperfection deal - I have never found superglue to actually structurally fix anything, even if it is advertised to. Isn't there a wicking adhesive, Zap-A-Gap or similar, that is designed for actual crack repair and stability?
 
Zap a gap is just CA glue. And thin CA glues will work as a capillary adhesive to fill cracks. I us e them for small repairs on handles but only for that. I use epoxy for everything else. I have used CA glues extensively in the granite industry for repairs and it even has its limitations there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top