Replies

1. 
   philjohnwilliams | Feb 12, 2006 06:26am | #1

   Hi,

   if i understand you correctly, the repair will be hidden under a layer of veneer. if so, then the look of the patch is unimportant.  In the shop i work in, for this kind of repair we routinely use auto body filler (such as Bondo). It doesn't shrink, sands and shapes very well and is pretty cheap as well. i would test this with some scrap before commiting to doing this on good wood, but I think this will work for you.

   -phil

2. 
   Steinmetz | Feb 12, 2006 10:40am | #2

   Eric, Try DURHANS ROCK HARD PUTTY Most big box and hardware stores stock it
   Just mix with a small amount of water and apply with a spatula to dry 'proud' of the surface then sand away excess an hour later.

   If you have to fill a DEEP hole, it's best to do it in two layers.
   The stuff is a powder and lasts almost forever on the shelf and after a few hours becomes ROCK HARD. You can drill holes in it/stain it/ paint it/mold it/ carve it and it drys to a pale cream color.

   Guaranteed not to rubble up, doubble up, shrink, stink, or boil over
   (I made that last one up)Steinmetz

1. 
   Ejc | Feb 12, 2006 05:18pm | #3

   Thanks for the reply guys,

   as soon as I dig out from ma natures latest and greatest , Ill check out those products.  The auto body filler I had heard of using but it did not occur to me, Durhans Putty,I did not know about. 

    

   Eric

2. 
   DaveRicheson | Feb 12, 2006 05:29pm | #4

   LMAO,

   Reminded me of an old chief, back in my Navy days. he use to say

   "Guaranteed not rust, bust, bend or buckle, and fit for a fine example of a North American Blue Jacket"

   Thanks for the reminder.

   BTW, Durham is the way to go.

    

   Dave

1. 
   jb3 | Feb 15, 2006 10:16pm | #8

   One of my stock phrases, is an old tailors adage "Guaranteed not to rip, ravel, or run at the seam" 

   Whatever.

   Jim

3. 
   woodworker79 | Feb 13, 2006 03:18pm | #5

   Have you tried the two part Minwax filler? You can find it at any box store. It works alot like bondo. That has been my favorite for painted surfaces. I've never noticed any shrinking on anything I've filled. I worked at a "high quality" (read expensive) fence company when I was right out of high school. We used to use the Minwax filler by the case full for all our decorative pieces. (If people only knew how much filler was in those posts that cost them thousands of dollars!)

4. 
   hammer1 | Feb 13, 2006 09:06pm | #6

   Eric, it's usually not the filler that shrinks, but the wood. There are many good fillers out there, Famowood is one of my favorites. You may be able to patch the problem with wood, which would be my first choice. Cut out a bit more and glue in a patch.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   Ejc | Feb 14, 2006 01:53pm | #7

   Thanx to all for their responses. Actually hammer, thats pretty much what happened.  While I was waiting for the storm to finish, so  Icould dig out and get to the store.  I decided to clean up a bit more in the shop.  Actually did find the chip, Most of it still fit from whence it came. so I glued it up , the little bit that was left (maybe an eraser size?), filled nicely (durhams) and sanded out well. Again thanx to everyone.

   Eric

5. 
   Cephus | Feb 15, 2006 11:13pm | #9

   I'm going to agree with what others have said, if you're going to have it hidden by veneer, it doesn't matter what it looks like so long as it's stable. I've used both bondo and standard putty and both have worked just fine. You're really just looking for a surface to adhere the veneer to anyhow so it's six of one, half a dozen... you know...