Recipe for wood filler?

Atlantia · 15th December 2010, 03:32 PM

What do you guys use for filler on ethnic gunstocks if areas are missing or splits in old wood etc?
I've always made up my own rather than use a shop bought resin. Any recipes? I'm curious how others solve this problem without the results looking 'new'?

kahnjar1 · 15th December 2010, 05:23 PM

Hi Gene,
My collection now is basically, blades but at one time I had many guns. To repair/fill breaks etc I kept a supply of broken stock pieces and used suitable wood and colour to fill breaks. A useful way to "match" the colours is to use CONDYS (???spelling) CRYSTALS. Mix a VERY small amount of the crystals with water, which is all you will need. It drys brown and when dry, bone it with either a piece of smooth bone or even the round shank of a screwdriver. Amazing what it will hide in terms of new repairs. For broken horn or later plastic butt plates I used Epiglass Plastic Steel. Its black and when sanded and polished it does a great job.
With your current weather patterns be careful not to get wool fibres from your gloves mixed up with your repairs.

TVV · 15th December 2010, 05:36 PM

Gene,

I do not have many rifles and have not had to try it, but I have heard from a friend who has hundreds and according to him, the best way to do it is with sawdust and superglue. According to his instructions, you put a bit of sawdust in the area where the wood is missing, followed imemdiately by a drop of the super glue, which solidifies the small amount of sawdust in place. Then you repeat the process until the restoration is complete, and naturally, sand at the end. This would work on gunstocks that are of dark color (the glue turns the sawdust dark, regardless of its original color), and for small areas.

And to repeat my disclaimer - I have not actually tried it myself.

Regards,
Teodor

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 1st January 2012, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

What do you guys use for filler on ethnic gunstocks if areas are missing or splits in old wood etc?
I've always made up my own rather than use a shop bought resin. Any recipes? I'm curious how others solve this problem without the results looking 'new'?

Salaams Atlantia~ I liked this little thread so much I just had to make a comment.
A friend of mine swears by the superglue and sawdust technique and I commend it and the other workshop practices to Forum.

Regards,
Ibrahiim.

AJ1356 · 1st January 2012, 12:11 PM

I've seen some superglue and dust fillings, they are pretty good, to untrained eye. The method is pretty good, but I think something other that crazy glue would be preffered at lease by me. Crazyglue leaves a somewhat shiney residue, and is a bit messy, so maybe some clear wood glue would be better, I dunno have not tried it.

Battara · 1st January 2012, 09:22 PM

I would think that epoxy would be a better filler than crazyglue.

fearn · 2nd January 2012, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

I would think that epoxy would be a better filler than crazyglue.

Problem with epoxy, especially if you mix it, is it's hard to get all the bubbles out. Crazy glue is a little easier to keep the bubbles out of.

F

Battara · 2nd January 2012, 07:47 PM

Never had problems with bubbles but whatever..............

15th December 2010, 03:32 PM	#1
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Recipe for wood filler? What do you guys use for filler on ethnic gunstocks if areas are missing or splits in old wood etc? I've always made up my own rather than use a shop bought resin. Any recipes? I'm curious how others solve this problem without the results looking 'new'?

15th December 2010, 05:23 PM	#2
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	Hi Gene, My collection now is basically, blades but at one time I had many guns. To repair/fill breaks etc I kept a supply of broken stock pieces and used suitable wood and colour to fill breaks. A useful way to "match" the colours is to use CONDYS (???spelling) CRYSTALS. Mix a VERY small amount of the crystals with water, which is all you will need. It drys brown and when dry, bone it with either a piece of smooth bone or even the round shank of a screwdriver. Amazing what it will hide in terms of new repairs. For broken horn or later plastic butt plates I used Epiglass Plastic Steel. Its black and when sanded and polished it does a great job. With your current weather patterns be careful not to get wool fibres from your gloves mixed up with your repairs. Last edited by kahnjar1; 16th December 2010 at 06:16 AM.

15th December 2010, 05:36 PM	#3
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,620	Gene, I do not have many rifles and have not had to try it, but I have heard from a friend who has hundreds and according to him, the best way to do it is with sawdust and superglue. According to his instructions, you put a bit of sawdust in the area where the wood is missing, followed imemdiately by a drop of the super glue, which solidifies the small amount of sawdust in place. Then you repeat the process until the restoration is complete, and naturally, sand at the end. This would work on gunstocks that are of dark color (the glue turns the sawdust dark, regardless of its original color), and for small areas. And to repeat my disclaimer - I have not actually tried it myself. Regards, Teodor

1st January 2012, 12:11 PM	#5
AJ1356 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Nashville Posts: 314	I've seen some superglue and dust fillings, they are pretty good, to untrained eye. The method is pretty good, but I think something other that crazy glue would be preffered at lease by me. Crazyglue leaves a somewhat shiney residue, and is a bit messy, so maybe some clear wood glue would be better, I dunno have not tried it.

1st January 2012, 09:22 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	I would think that epoxy would be a better filler than crazyglue.

2nd January 2012, 07:47 PM	#8
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Never had problems with bubbles but whatever..............