Replies

1. 
   wdwerker | Apr 22, 2012 01:37pm | #1

   Filling screw holes

   I use Famowood. Usually the water base version.  Be careful on oak to put  it just on the hole,if you smear an area it fills oaks coarse open grain which shows up as a patch of too smooth finish later on. Deep or large holes are best filled in stages,put a small dab in and let it dry,then fill to just above the surface and let that dry. Sand and you are good to go. 

   I also use ColorPutty I get it from the hardware store. It is a oil based putty that dries very slowly. I use it after finishing to cover nail holes, cracks and small gaps. It comes in many colors and you can knead colors together to match exactly.

   Sometimes it is wise to mask around a hole,fill it and remove the tape before it dries when working with open grained wood like oak if the hole is large or in a very obvious place.

1. 
   IdahoDon | Apr 22, 2012 03:10pm | #3

   I also like famowood - just don't let it's appearance fool you - it dries hard and it's hard to sand so keep the stuff out of the pores of the wood by any means possible.   While it's still wet you can get filler out of the pores in unwanted places with a fine brass brush or something along those lines, but it's much easier to avoid getting it all over as the previous post explains.

   You'll want two colors - one lighter than your wood and one darker - mix them to the exact shade - there is no way to ask for one color that will exactly match since there is variation even between boards.

   The nice thing is you can buy this stuff in gallons, quarts, or the little containers that must be something like a cup or so.

2. 
   Westchester | Apr 22, 2012 02:06pm | #2

   Oak Fillers

   Any filler will work - it's finding the right color.  Go to your local supplier who sells wood , finishes, and fillers to floor contractors - the counter guy will know the exact color you need but you may have to buy a slightly bigger container than you'd get in the hardware store

   SA

1. 
   Sbds | Apr 23, 2012 03:42pm | #5

   Thank you all for your help.

3. 
   Quickstep | Apr 22, 2012 04:57pm | #4

   Another vote for Famowood, but let it harden COMPLETELY before sanding it level. If you sand it before it's completely dry, it will shrink after you level it and leave a little low spot that will show up after finishing. Also, I've sometimes used a hole punch to punch a hole in a piece of masking tape, then put the masking tape over the hole to be filled. The tape leaves the filler just proud of the surface. Remove the tape while the filler is still wet.

4. 
   threeglasses | Apr 28, 2012 09:21am | #6

   filler vs plugs

   Hi Danny:

   I have tried lots of fillers on the market.  Frankly, in my opinion, none that are great.  I find that plugs are the best choice to use when possible.

   If you have not seen, WL Fuller has a several great tool sets that include the drill bit, counter sink and plug cutter, http://www.wlfuller.com/

   One tip I have not tried is mixing sawdust with glue to make your own filler.  I know many use this method especially for floors and steps. 

   Regards,

   John