While preparing stock for a blanket chest project recently, I noticed a narrow crack in one piece, about an inch from the edge and a foot long, running to the end of the board. I could see that trying to work glue into the crack with a brush or piece of veneer would be fruitless. Then I saw my shop vacuum and inspiration struck. With the vac hose underneath the board, aligned with the crack, and a bead of glue on top, I turned on the vac. The glue started to disappear into the crack, so I did it again. Soon I had glue coming out the bottom of the crack, even at the end of the board. I clamped the board and, after the glue cured, the crack had disappeared and I had a sound piece of wood.

Les Crooks, Mishawaka, IN

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