Chet Posted July 13, 2018 Report Share Posted July 13, 2018 I just noticed this morning that I have a gap in my sideboard project and it is a show area right above where the top goes. I had done numerous dry fits and marked all the tenons to match the mortise they fit into so there weren't any goof ups. My guess to the problem is, I probably got to much glue in he mortise and had some hydraulic resistance but none of this matters now anyway. My question is - what ideas do you guys have for a fix? Its about a 1/32 of an inch gap. I have used the CA glue and sanding trick to close gaps before with good success but this is in the corner and grain going two different directions. My concern would be that in sanding enough to cover the gap with glue and dust would leave a mark in the grain in on direction. I don't want to make the problem worst and stick out more then it does but it would be nice to be able repair it. And before anyone say to "just caulk it and paint it" forget it my wife beat you to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan G Posted July 13, 2018 Report Share Posted July 13, 2018 I would cut a sliver of wood the size of the gap and glue it in. Clean up any squeeze out then carefully use a scraper to finish it flush. I have never been satisfied with that sawdust glue thing. I usually use CA glue and solid wood. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post pkinneb Posted July 13, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted July 13, 2018 I would probably go the route Alan recommends above and I would probably spend waaay to much time looking for something with a grain match as well. Personally I would leave the gap before I would use any type of glue/putty solution, especially in a corner. I also think a strategically placed plant would work well 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan G Posted July 13, 2018 Report Share Posted July 13, 2018 12 minutes ago, pkinneb said: I would probably spend waaay to much time looking for something with a grain match as well. I would too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted July 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2018 51 minutes ago, pkinneb said: I would probably spend waaay to much time looking for something with a grain match as well 28 minutes ago, Alan G said: I would too I started working on this right after I posted. 53 minutes ago, pkinneb said: I also think a strategically placed plant would work well You know, I actually have an very old silver tea service set that has been in the family for over 100 years that I was going to display on top of the sideboard. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted July 13, 2018 Report Share Posted July 13, 2018 Honestly, when I look at the first picture it looks bad. When I step back (second picture) I have to wonder if it isn't best to just leave it. If you really decide to do something I'd go with the sliver of matching wood. I feel your pain. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barron Posted July 13, 2018 Report Share Posted July 13, 2018 I would leave it alone. It looks like cherry, and if so, as it darkens with age the gap will be less noticeable to anyone but you. I can’t see any fix that would look better than leavening it as is. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis O'Shea Posted July 13, 2018 Report Share Posted July 13, 2018 I honestly believe that no one will ever notice it I do like trying a sliver fix but for me it's good to go 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 13, 2018 Report Share Posted July 13, 2018 You might be able to make a hand plane shaving the right thickness..... but isn't the piece going to get stained ? The shadow of the inside corner will make it hard to spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeslayer Posted July 13, 2018 Report Share Posted July 13, 2018 +1 to the crowd that says do nothing with it, you're always going to notice it no matter what you do but nobody else will. any "fix" is not going to match exactly IMO. the piece looks awesome Chet, keep up the great work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 I wouldn't fill it. If anything, chamfer the edge just a bit, and chisel a matching gap on the other end. Then call it a "shadow line". Seriously. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 22 minutes ago, wtnhighlander said: I wouldn't fill it. If anything, chamfer the edge just a bit, and chisel a matching gap on the other end. Then call it a "shadow line". Seriously. Excellent advise and a great CYA. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 If that were my gap Id be worried that by trying to fix it I would make it look like poop. I no it bugs you as it would me but Id leave it also. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 52 minutes ago, wtnhighlander said: I wouldn't fill it. If anything, chamfer the edge just a bit, and chisel a matching gap on the other end. Then call it a "shadow line". Seriously. +2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted July 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 Thanks for all the comment people. I have pretty much decided to leave it alone. It is cherry and will darken over time and as mentioned above have an item that may be the perfect thing to display in front of it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 2 minutes ago, Chet said: Thanks for all the comment people. I have pretty much decided to leave it alone. It is cherry and will darken over time and as mentioned above have an item that may be the perfect thing to display in front of it. Oh man. I would have to go on blood pressure medication. I have hydro locked a few joints and seriously, you can probably cut the right size piece to fit in the gap in no more than 3 tries by eye. The size doesn't need to be perfect but filling the black hole would be my priority. That is a prime viewing spot by the looks of it. I hope you reconsider. I've seen what you build, I have faith in your ability to repair it well vs a 50/50 of being ok with it long term or not. That's a lopsided trade for not much effort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 Just when you think you've made up your mind... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 You could make a thin strip the width & length of the crosspiece, and glue it in place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted July 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 It looks like a big fat gap until you try to cut a piece to fit then it gets real small. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 1 hour ago, Chet said: It looks like a big fat gap until you try to cut a piece to fit then it gets real small. This was put under Advanced WW'ing right? You got this. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chet Posted July 14, 2018 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 Well here is the fix. It was a lot smaller sliver then one would think and the fact that it was end grain made it a challenge to handle and it snapped while I was fitting it. I took a beater chisel and dulled up the business end some and used it to push the remaining sliver in and then used a chisel to flush it up with the rest of the rail. Because it snapped while I was fitting it there is no glue but I didn't want to pry it out and start over. But I think it is a compression fit of sorts and once the finish goes on I think it will be fine... I hope. 10 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 Nicely done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 You just couldn't stand looking at it could you. Nice fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 Perfecto! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 14, 2018 Report Share Posted July 14, 2018 A thin line of super glue will soak in and keep it from popping out. Let it dry and sand. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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