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17 votes
Accepted

Applying clamping pressure on opposing sides of a circle

I picture a jig of the same diameter as the circle so that it can't bow out but I wonder if there are simpler ideas. Likely this would apply as well to other things and not just circles... other ...
grfrazee's user avatar
  • 12.1k
17 votes

Making wood filler from sawdust

I remember hearing a while ago that sawdust and wood glue can be used as a wood filler to fill in gaps and imperfections. Yes you can do this, but note that the term "sawdust" might be slightly ...
Graphus's user avatar
  • 62.1k
13 votes

how to fix very light scratches in polyurethane finish?

You're going to have to make this look worse before it looks better. The first step is *gulp* to lightly sand or scuff the entire surface until the existing scratches aren't evident, and then do one ...
Graphus's user avatar
  • 62.1k
12 votes
Accepted

Glue spots under stain

The problem appears to be that glue has sealed the pores of the wood, preventing stain from penetrating. In order to fix the stain, you'll first need to get to wood that's not sealed. I can think of ...
Caleb's user avatar
  • 9,161
12 votes
Accepted

What is wood stabilization?

Wood stabilization typically refers to reinforcing wood against inherent defects or weaknesses. In turning, stabilization may mean anything from filling cracks with epoxy, to impregnating the wood ...
rob's user avatar
  • 18.6k
11 votes
Accepted

What is the difference between a dutchman patch and a butterfly patch?

So which is it? Is there a difference between a dutchman patch and a butterfly patch? Yes and no. A Dutchman can be the shape of a butterfly (also called a bowtie) as well as many other shapes. ...
Graphus's user avatar
  • 62.1k
10 votes

What is the difference between a dutchman patch and a butterfly patch?

A dutchman patch is basically using wood to fill a void larger than can be done with filler alone. A butterfly patch is typically used to prevent a check from getting larger, or to reinforce a joint. ...
LeeG's user avatar
  • 8,036
10 votes

Applying clamping pressure on opposing sides of a circle

I have used ratcheting band clamps on curved shapes with very good results. ( I could not find an image using the clamp on a circular form, but the principle is the same.) Rather than applying ...
Ashlar's user avatar
  • 8,049
10 votes
Accepted

I accidentally used woodglue that doesn't stain. How do I fix it?

Almost every glue commonly in use won't take stain, and one or two that are said to stain don't stain as well as you'd like (similar story with 'stainable filler' incidentally) so it's good practice ...
Graphus's user avatar
  • 62.1k
10 votes

How to fix a wooden floor

In the past removal of old finish from floors was done manually, by scraping, and it does a superb job and doesn't generate large volumes of dust. But it's backbreaking labour and can't be recommended ...
Graphus's user avatar
  • 62.1k
10 votes
Accepted

Repair a crack on the side of an oak table

There are several things that can be done, and it depends on how much effort you want to put into it (and what tools you have). The 'best' way of actually 'fixing' the problem is to run it on a table ...
bowlturner's user avatar
  • 15.5k
9 votes

Dealing with knots "bleeding" through paint

Shellac primer is the way to go maybe more than one coat and you should allow it to cure, which is different than drying. I use spray cans of this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Zinsser-1-qt-B-I-N-...
James's user avatar
  • 1,091
9 votes
Accepted

Fixing a door's edge properly

If the defect were in a location that was not subject to wear and abuse, you could fill the defect with wood putty. After it cured, you could sand it down, and finish to taste. Unfortunately, this ...
Jasper's user avatar
  • 635
9 votes
Accepted

How can I repair a split in a board?

Catalog sites or local woodworking stores will likely sell a glue injector- it looks like a big needle. It's most often used to inject glue into chair joints. Use a small screwdriver to open up the ...
TX Turner's user avatar
  • 4,392
9 votes
Accepted

How to make a small repair to a piano?

This sort of repair is doable, but fair warning, getting a truly seamless repair is challenging to extremely difficult (read: nearly impossible without experience). the same black satin look. First ...
Graphus's user avatar
  • 62.1k
9 votes
Accepted

Making wood filler from sawdust

Yes, that is a method still in use. You can use it to fill gaps. But, the unfortunate thing about this method is... You create a place on wood that is different in absorbing the oil/stain that you ...
borgs's user avatar
  • 144
8 votes
Accepted

Killing Borer in Wooden Coasters

Best method for killing boring beetles is to use heat. Warming the wood to a set temperature for a designated length of time will eradicate the beetles and their larvae. Beetle type determines the ...
Chris Stevenson's user avatar
8 votes

How do I fix a bench that my dog chewed?

Unless you want to refinish the whole table, this is really just going to come down to trial and error. Find some scrap wood, head down to the store to find some similar looking stains / oils / etc., ...
Jason C's user avatar
  • 5,571
8 votes

Repair a crack on the side of an oak table

A basic crack in wood is very easy to fix as long as the crack surfaces are clean, you can thoroughly coat the surfaces with glue (various tricks can help with that), and then can clamp nice and ...
Graphus's user avatar
  • 62.1k
7 votes

How to effectively fix a crack in a turned bowl

I suspect that it actually isn't going to get any worse. However, what is generally accepted practice is to use epoxy. If you want to hide the crack and patch you can mix in some sawdust, in this ...
bowlturner's user avatar
  • 15.5k
7 votes

Food safe potting/knot filling compound

all epoxies are food safe once fully cured This may be an overstatement. Food-safe epoxies do exist. In order to be considered "food-safe," the ingredients need to meet FDA CFR 175.105 & 175....
grfrazee's user avatar
  • 12.1k
7 votes
Accepted

How do I remove a watermark?

The only entirely foolproof way I know to remove deep, long-set water marks is to sand to bare wood, restain (if your piece was stained) and refinish. However, fresh, less deep stains may be more ...
grfrazee's user avatar
  • 12.1k
7 votes

Shrunk drawer bottom

I can think of a few solutions to this problem but I'm not sure how palatable any one of them will be to you or to the owner of the chest given the age of the piece. I'm afraid I also have no idea how ...
Graphus's user avatar
  • 62.1k
7 votes
Accepted

How can I preserve wooden sculptures indoors?

Wow, that is a wonderful piece of art! I assume that this will be displayed inside in which case the 'elements' will consist of temperature, dust, handling, and light. Temperature-wise the piece ...
Ashlar's user avatar
  • 8,049
7 votes
Accepted

Advice on repairing a broken bed

It appears you are on the right track. It should be possible to repair the piece by gluing it. You will need 3 or 4 clamps to keep the loose piece in full contact with the board shown in the photo. ...
Ashlar's user avatar
  • 8,049
6 votes

How can I repair a split in a board?

You didn't mention what type of glue you're trying to use for the repair, but if this is just a minor cosmetic defect it may be a nice application for CA (cyanoacrylate) glue, aka superglue. It's ...
rob's user avatar
  • 18.6k
6 votes

Can corner joints on a planter box that are warped and coming apart be fixed?

I would say that it is more likely that this joint failed due to the moisture from watering the dirt rather than being outside. Simply re-gluing it and keeping it inside will not be enough to fix it. ...
drs's user avatar
  • 3,581
6 votes

Food safe potting/knot filling compound

Personally I'm of the belief that epoxies are safe for direct food contact (once fully cured) without specific information to the contrary, based on basic principles. That's not to say I would use any ...
Graphus's user avatar
  • 62.1k
6 votes

What options do I have to repair this chair?

As the picture of the underside of the chair isn't showing currently I'm not entirely sure I have the right picture in my head about what's going on underneath, so I may revise this once the link to ...
Graphus's user avatar
  • 62.1k

Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible