Repairing a gap in a glue up

[JohnDi]

Curious what I should use to fill a gap in a glue up.

I glued up blanks for cabriole legs with 4 one inch thick pieces 4" wide.

After cutting them out on the band saw, I have some very thin gaps (in the front of the legs naturally) about one inch long between the boards on one leg.

Is this a job for epoxy mixed with saw dust, or can I use titebond mixed with dust. Is there any other method I could try?

I am really hoping I can make the fill invisible as this will be my first piece of "real" furniture.

Thankfully ? I have plenty of dust from the sanding of the legs that should match color.

[wtnhighlander]

I doubt it will be quite 'invisible', but I would try rubbing some very fine dust into the gap, then soak the dust with thin CA glue. I think this method does better on filling small gaps than the thicker epoxy or PVA glue will.

[Guest]

a photo will help.  

[rodger.]

Another option would be to work on the piece and finish it as you originally planned. You some wax repair sticks when the finish is cured and buff well.

I have used the epoxy trick and it works very well. If you want to go this route, make sure you test in scrap first. Particleboard has a great technique using an RO sander.

[..Kev]

+1 on the photo

 

If it's a very small void and you're going to use the CA glue mentioned above, just put some glue on and then sand the dust in.

[Kuhn315]

I use the CA glue method for inlays, works very well. I would sand the piece with an orbital sander and the dust will fill in the gaps, then just add some CA glue.

[Tpt life]

I sometimes have great success with plane shavings of the same wood type and coloration. I can often dramatically reduce the gap that needs to be filled.

[JohnDi]

Best pic I could get with phone

[T-astragal]

That's not bad. I'd try to fix after finish. Or at least before the last few top coats.

Steve

[wdwerker]

That's not bad. I'd try to fix after finish. Or at least before the last few top coats. Steve

I agree. Unless you are only using a clear finish only.

Another approach would be to cut a kerf partway into the crack and glue in a piece of the same wood.

[JohnDi]

Finish will be arm r seal satin. No stain.

I'm going to try and pack with sander dust and see if the arm r seal pulls it out when I wipe it on.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll try to post a pic when it's done.

[Rapid Roger]

In the past, I have mixed the saw/sander dust with the same finish that I was going to use for the final finish instead of glue. You have to let it dry good before the final finish but, I don't think the filler was quite as noticeable. 

One thing you do have to watch for if you use shellac is to be very careful around the patch as the finish coat can soften up what you have already put down.

But then, you must realize, I'm not real good at patching or finishing anyway.

 

Rog