Final(?) Advice on Patio Trolley Requested

[JR]

My patio trolley project is reaching the fit and finish stage.


My question has to do with this little knot hole that somehow managed to survive the whole process. It appears sort of like a nail hole from the top of that rail into the side. There are no other noticeable blemishes, apart from those created by me. Can you recommend a way to fill this hole? I intend to have a clear poly finish, no stain.

TIA,
JR

[MilDoc]

Looks small to me. I'd mix some sawdust of the same wood with Titebond III and fill it in, sand, and finish.

BTW, that's a great design! Did you use a plan? And, what wood / finish did you use?

The wheels are great! Made from the same wood? I'M jealous!

[TheRic]

I would leave it, it gives the cart character!!

I'm no expert, I do know from experiance that some times things look better before you try to "fix" them. Atleast when I try to "fix them.

[JR]

Hmm, that about covers the spectrum of my ideas so far - stuff it with sawdust or learn to like it.

It's a Nahm plan, all mahogany, and not finished yet, hence the request for advice before the final bits are done.

Thanks for the compliment on the wheels, MilDoc. I'm happy with them, but they were a TON of work.

JR

[just4funsies]

If that knot is so small that you didn't notice it in time to use a different piece of wood or locate it in a hidden area, then it's not big enough to worry about. At least it's a natural character of the wood. If you try to do too much to cover it, you're probably going to wish you hadn't tried. There's a good chance that the repair will look less natural then the original defect. I'd leave it alone.

[RayintheUK]

It's a Nahm plan, all mahogany, and not finished yet, hence the request for advice before the final bits are done.

Hey, JR, if it's a Nahm plan, how come its taken you more than half an hour to build - that's how long it took when I watched him do it!

Seriously - great-looking trolley. I'd leave the "defect" well alone too, that's what separates machine-made from hand-made.

Ray.

[WayneJ]

I'd leave it. just another thought, drill it through and dowel it. It don't realy look that bad tho.I've seen nahm use dutchman to repair defects. Sometimes they look worse than the defect. Nice lookin piece ,be proud of it.
Wayne

[bmyers]

Tell you what I'll do. You can send me that one as a reject and make a new one for yourself without knots.. I know you'll feel better and I don't mind helping you out ole buddy...

Seriously though, you could machine it out and replace it, matching the grain. You could machine it out and leave it out, like a routed cope cut or ogee along the inside of the top tray.

Otherwise, I think it looks great and I wish I had one just like it.

Nice work JR.

Bill

[Popeye]

OK, I'm one of those guys who looks for knots to put into my pieces..... My favorite way to fill them is with 5 minute clear epoxy. Looks natural, seals the knot and will take any type top coat you use. Pat

[scmhogg]

JR,

I'm inclined to agree with Pat. I have used epoxy to fill defects and secure loose knots. I have also added lamp black to the epoxy I used to fill worm holes, to accentuate them. I have also added very fine sawdust to the epoxy. This usually results in a darker color than the original. I have covered the epoxy with poly, shellac, and wipe-on, with good results.

Be sure to test the filler in a hole in a scrap of the same material.

Steve

[Tom Miller]

JR,

I could have saved you the trouble on the wheels -- I've got an old BBQ ready for the dumpster. (Run, boys, he's gonna blow!)

Yours look fine, too.

I wouldn't touch the "wood grain feature". Seriously. In fact, I'd say it's rather nicely placed.

Regards,
Tom

[JR]

OK, I'm one of those guys who looks for knots to put into my pieces..... My favorite way to fill them is with 5 minute clear epoxy. Looks natural, seals the knot and will take any type top coat you use. Pat

I'm inclined to try this. I know it's not much of a knot, but it really is bugging me. I'll surely take Steve's advice and experiment with scrap before commiting to the project piece.

Now, what about getting the surface even with the wood? Can I sand epoxy?

JR

[MilDoc]

Now, what about getting the surface even with the wood? Can I sand epoxy?

JR

Yep. Carefully.

[Scottydont]

Great looking cart! On turning projects I use CA glue (superglue) and sawdust, hit it will a shot of accelerator and it works great. I have done the same on regular woodworking projects. You can sand withing minutes of filling the hole.

[John Hunter]

Great looking cart! On turning projects I use CA glue (superglue) and sawdust, hit it will a shot of accelerator and it works great. I have done the same on regular woodworking projects. You can sand withing minutes of filling the hole.

Just what I was going to post. Works great!