Fxguy Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Just like the title says, I drilled a hole that was supposed to be 11/32" in walnut for the axle of a toy bulldozer with a 3/8" bit instead. So now the hole is 1/32" too big and there is quite a bit of play in the pre-bought axle (its from wood magazine where you buy the wheels/hardware kit to finish the build). What are some ways to fix it and pros / cons of that method? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Slack Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 You need to find a way of plugging the mortise and start over. Another idea is to glue really thin pieces of wood inside and ... Red riling. That is all I can come up with. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Is one hole too large, or all of them?You either need to make the hole smaller, or the axle bigger.You could buy a 3/8" dowel, and use that for the axles if you messed up more than one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fxguy Posted October 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Actually come to think of it I don't need to fill the whole thing since the axles don't go all the way through (more of an axle peg). I probably will glue a plug into each side and redrill. Is one hole too large, or all of them?You either need to make the hole smaller, or the axle bigger.You could buy a 3/8" dowel, and use that for the axles if you messed up more than one.Thats true, I guess I could widen the hole in each of the wheels and use a 3/8" dowel. The only thing is that the Axle is more of a peg with a cap on it and the wheel rotates around it, instead of the axle actually rotating. I could try gluing the axle in place, but not sure if it will be steady enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strasberry Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 A couple ways to fix this. One would be to fill the holes with bondo or epoxy and redrill. Both would be hard enough to hold the axle after drilling. The other way would be to partially fill the holes with a good quality wood filler. Wrap one layer of masking tape around the axle and insert into the hole being careful to go straight in so as to not elongate the hole. Leave in place until the filler is dry and then remove the axle, take the tape off and reinsert. I would prefer the first one. With this being behind the "tire" none of the repair will show! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post davewyo Posted October 25, 2015 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Glue in a stub of 3/8"dowel, flush trim and re-drill. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 The "right" way is a plug cutter. A dowel plug will show end grain in a face grain world. Just a consideration, not a deal killer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 As the hole/plug is hidden behind the wheel, a plug or dowel either one will work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krtwood Posted October 25, 2015 Report Share Posted October 25, 2015 Actually come to think of it I don't need to fill the whole thing since the axles don't go all the way through (more of an axle peg). I probably will glue a plug into each side and redrill. Thats true, I guess I could widen the hole in each of the wheels and use a 3/8" dowel. The only thing is that the Axle is more of a peg with a cap on it and the wheel rotates around it, instead of the axle actually rotating. I could try gluing the axle in place, but not sure if it will be steady enough. You would have to run the 3/8" dowel through and glue into the wheels on both sides, rather than gluing the peg into the body. If you're okay with the wheels turning together rather than independently that's perfectly viable.Otherwise I would make the hole larger first, say 1/2", so you will have more of your patch around the new hole. If you drill an 11/32 hole in a 3/8 plug it's likely to partially disintegrate when drilling the new hole. Make sure the dowel is going to actually be a snug fit in the hole (test in scrap first) before you commit to anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted October 26, 2015 Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 Why don't you wrap put a piece of blue tape on the axel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted October 26, 2015 Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 Fill with epoxy and redrill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponderingturtle Posted October 26, 2015 Report Share Posted October 26, 2015 This sounds like a job for a bronze bushing! If you are dealing with a metal shaft this would be a very good solution. Step it up to 1/2" if you can and use http://www.mcmaster.com/#6391k179/=zj70gp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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