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 ...
- 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 ...
- 64.4k
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 ...
- 64.4k
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 ...
- 64.4k
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 ...
- 8,274
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 ...
- 64.4k
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 ...
- 15.7k
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 ...
- 64.4k
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 ...
- 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 ...
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., ...
- 5,613
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 ...
- 64.4k
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 ...
- 8,274
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 ...
- 64.4k
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. ...
- 8,274
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 ...
- 64.4k
6
votes
Large hole filler products, what is available
I would use filled epoxy for this, it's probably the best thing going as it's very tough, bonds very firmly to the wood and can be extremely cheap. Possibly best of all you make as much as you need ...
- 64.4k
6
votes
Accepted
Can you fill cracks in the side of a live edge slab
Could I fill them with a glue/sawdust mixture?
You can yes but common woodworking glue (PVA-type, white or yellow) wouldn't necessarily be the best choice for the glue.
A much more solid fill can ...
- 64.4k
6
votes
how to fix very light scratches in polyurethane finish?
The polyurethane will be well cured by now. Without stripping everything back and starting over (which you should NOT do cause it's far too much work for a few scatches) all you can do is try and mask ...
- 1,045
6
votes
How to repair the edges of a plywood
I don't think this can be repaired. And if it can the cost will certainly be a lot higher than to replace the sheet entirely.
- 266
6
votes
Accepted
Screws back into a splitting pole
Frankly, that post looks like it has served its days. I would replace it.
However, to try and extend its life, I think the simplest solution would be to drill out the existing holes, glue in dowels ...
- 3,565
6
votes
Reuse screw holes in wood [oak]
If later we want to replace the legs, and the holes end up in the same places, it means most likely the screws won't have a secure hold since the holes have already been used.
Er, not so much.
There'...
- 64.4k
5
votes
Accepted
How to fix water damage to wooden table
What do you think happened here?
It looks like the water either got under the finish and caused it to bubble up/peel or the water partially dissolved the finish, which you then scrubbed off by ...
- 12.1k
5
votes
Identifying Paint Type on Finished Furniture
Do these photos and observations provide enough information to identify the type of paint (Acrylic, Oil, etc.)? If so, what is it? If not, how do I acquire the other information needed?
I'm afraid ...
- 64.4k
5
votes
Accepted
Driving a nail into wood that has split and been glued back together
It is probable that the joint is stronger where it is glued than in the surrounding wood. The original crack was most likely due to the nail so placing another nail could apply pressure to the ...
- 8,274
5
votes
Accepted
How can I remove water damage from my improperly stored slab?
Usually with any stain of this sort removing the surface should reveal pristine wood.
Normally you won't need to go down that far since neither watery nor oily things penetrate very deeply on long-...
- 64.4k
5
votes
Accepted
Why is clear epoxy not often used to fill cracks in live edge slabs?
Why is clear epoxy not used?
Two related reasons I can think of plus a third unrelated. The first is just because people don't want to make their fills transparent (or to put it another way, they ...
- 64.4k
5
votes
Restoring old oak chair but at a loss for something I've never seen
It looks to be some sort of fabric or material that has long since hardened.
Check the chair for markings that could tell you who manufactured the chair. That could help you find other examples that ...
- 9,558
5
votes
Accepted
How to repair broken spindles on chair?
While it alters the height of the back, a reasonably simple repair would be to cut new tenons on the existing spindles.
Commercial tenon cutters exist (for instance, see Lee Valley), but they're an ...
- 3,831
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible