Rob Hamilton Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 Hey all, hoping I can get some advice from some more seasoned members here. I'm finishing two 4' x 10' Ambrosia maple table tops for my wife's art studio. On each surface, there are hundreds of tiny worm holes that need to be filled prior to finishing (see pic). My first thought was to fill them with epoxy using a syringe... but there are sooo many holes. Is this still the best route to go or is there an easier solution (wood filler, etc)? The tables will be finished with Arm-R-Seal. Thanks in advance! Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 Leave them unfilled. If you didn't want a rustic look, why did you use ambrosia? You're at the "embrace it" point now. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Hamilton Posted September 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 Thanks Eric, we do like the rustic look - that's why we chose Ambrosia, but the tables need to have a smooth surface on top due to them being used in an art studio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 Rob, You could use a squeegee to apply the epoxy to speed the application up, but then you would have a much greater area to have to sand. Regardless of how you apply it, the epoxy will require a couple of applications due to the fact that it will seep into the holes and be below the surface the first app. Would like to see pics of the finished tables. Good luck! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 Either leave it as Eric suggested, or fill them with something clear like epoxy. You can tint the epoxy so it looks interesting, maybe red? I have no idea what the final piece will look like.. But, you do have options. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 What other wood is going to be used. Legs Aprons Stretchers? Fill the holes with wood filler that's tinted to the other pieces in the build! When I fill ambrosia holes I use the color that the rest of the table has, Cherry, Walnut Etc: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 26 minutes ago, Rob Hamilton said: the tables need to have a smooth surface on top due to them being used in an art studio. Why? They're tiny holes. It's not like art is gonna get sucked into them and vanish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 You could also fill worm holes with worms - should be a nice tight fit! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minorhero Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 Epoxy, use a heat gun to make it runny. I use powdered tint to make it black for knots. This stuff specifically: http://www.woodcraft.com/product/857083/stick-fast-black-powder-dye-for-stabilizing-resin.aspx Using a heat gun not only makes the tint darker (blacker?) but also it becomes looser under heat so its easier to get more in and bubbles are more likely to pop. Worked great for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewyo Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 Since it's not a structural fix you could also use Timbermate as a grain filler. It's easier to apply, easier to sand, and cheaper than epoxy. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxerjoe04 Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 epoxy, or thick CA would probably work, plus you can cut the tip opening small to fit in the holes, at least the brand of CA I use. I'd probably just leave them alone because I'm lazy and probably won't interfere with anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 I have very slightly thinned wood filler( I use the water based Famowood) and put it in a large plastic syringe with the tip cut to roughly the size of the holes you are filling . You can squirt the holes full pretty quickly. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted September 24, 2016 Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 17 hours ago, Eric. said: Why? They're tiny holes. It's not like art is gonna get sucked into them and vanish. Maybe you didn't read the post correctly. It's a WORM HOLE! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Hamilton Posted September 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2016 Thanks for the tips everyone. Just to clarify - we did choose this wood because of the look the imperfections provide. However, because these tables are being used in an art studio, where students may be drawing on tracing paper etc, It’s not practical to leave the holes as is – a flat surface is needed.I decided to use TimberMate (as per davewyo's suggestion) Walnut color + black food coloring to fill the holes while still keeping the rustic look (they basically look the same as before, now flush with the rest of the surface). Thinning with the food coloring made it easier to fill each hole & it was easy to sand vs using epoxy.I’ll post a pic of the final project when done. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHoleInOne Posted September 30, 2016 Report Share Posted September 30, 2016 Bondo (auto body filler) it can be tinted. probably would of been a better choice. It's harder than timbermate so being a writing surface would stand up much better. -Ace- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA L'Rue Posted August 29, 2018 Report Share Posted August 29, 2018 I am using planks from my barn to make a table. Full of tiny worm holes. I have been using a copper tinted epoxy and a squeegee to fill the holes. 2 coats and it still needs more. I was wondering if you found a good solution. Either thinning the epoxy or using heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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