I am rebuilding a workbench using glued-up 2x4s. I’ve got the bench planed pretty flat, but there are still pretty deep (maybe 1/8 inch) glue-filled gaps between some of the boards. I don’t think the gaps will affect the bench much functionally, but I thought I might try filling them with wood filler before putting on a couple coats of shellac.
I could continue planing another 1/8 inch but that’s a lot of work and would remove a pretty substantial part of the work surface above my vises which are mortised about 1/2 inch below the surface. I figured I would leave that extra 1/8 inch I’d be able to resurface it every few years by planing it down and shellacing it again.
My question is will wood filler work Ok in this situation? Will it stick to the glue-filled gaps and give me a smooth, hard work surface?
Thanks.
Replies
I would not use wood filler for gaps that big. I would cut wood slivers and glue them in the gaps. THe wood filler with give a smooth surface, but it will most likely crack with the wood movement.
I used a bench built like that for ten years, and was never happy with it.
Those gaps will drive you crazy. My suggestion is to plane them completely out.
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