Replies

1. 
   grbmds | Apr 03, 2024 10:33am | #1

   While Timbermate is a good wood filler, I have never been satisfied with the look of any wood filler on furniture. Possibly you could get a good match if you are not staining the piece. However, wood filler never matches the surrounding wood to my satisfaction.

   I have had success mixing fine sawdust from the wood used in the piece with dewaxed shellac (I thinned Bulls-Eye pre-mixed with denatured alcohol.) but this has been with non-stained pieces. You might experiment with stained pieces to see if you can get a match.

   Where I have tried to match wood filler I have tried to lightly draw in grain lines with colored pencils to match the existing grain color and design; then seal those spots or wait a couple of days and try staining if I'm staining the piece. Since I don't use nails in furniture, this technique is really only used when there is a defect or a chip out of the wood.

   These aren't my original ideas. I got them from the Wood Whisperer in this YouTube video:

   https://youtu.be/k-TWPlUI2jM

   There are some great ideas in his video. The ones I've tried work well. The best idea is to do some experiments on the wood from the project and see what you are most satisfied with.

2. 
   DRBWWing | Apr 03, 2024 12:50pm | #2

   Timbermate and Famowood are ones I use most. Goodfilla is also a good product. Famowood dries quick but dries out in the can. I reconstitute with acetone.

   Timbermate is available in a variety of colors, and can be tinted if desired. However so far I've never had to do that.

   Nails holes don't have to be perfect.

3. 
   philewood | Apr 03, 2024 06:45pm | #3

   I've only tried Timbermate once, on a white oak plywood veneer nightstand with oak edging. I was hoping to use it as a grain filler, but first I had a few gaps to fill around the edging, and tried it out based on the recommendations online. It seemed like a good colour match based on the 'wet' colour it is when it first comes out of the pot, so I continued (when finish is applied, the instructions say Timbermate is supposed to return to the wet colour). Except when I put the water based poly on, it didn't turn back fully. Stern words were had, followed by dental picks to remove as much Timbermate as I could. Was just lucky I didn't slather it all over as a grain filler!

   I'm not saying this product is bad. Was this outcome circumstantial to my finish (General Finishes High Performance Top Coat)? Possibly. User error? Also possible. But if you try it out, my learning is to make sure initial testing goes all the way up to applying the finish you intend to use, on the exact wood. Take the claims on the package with a pinch of salt.

4. 
   geedubbee | Apr 04, 2024 02:48pm | #4

   Like others I try to avoid any type of filler. Slivers or pieces of like material work best. That said, I use Timbermate on fine furniture with good result. Amazing stuff.

5. 
   grbmds | Apr 04, 2024 03:42pm | #5

   Just me maybe but, for me, I would only use TimberMate, or any wood filler no matter how good it is, as the last resort if nothing else provided a satisfactory result. Again, I refer you to the Wood Whisper's video on YouTube for other alternatives. There are likely other videos there also, but his video has provided me with the best alternatives so far. I would never use any wood filler without trying to blend it into the surrounding wood by attempting to draw in grain lines (unless, of course, the wood doesn't have obvious visible grain.

6. 
   Wolff2 | Apr 05, 2024 03:36pm | #6

   We use it at the shop, for small defects and cracks it's great. I often take a pencil and just give it a little darkening after it cures. I like it a LOT better than that acetone based WoodTek we used to use that you had to constantly add more acetone to the can.