How to plug a 7/8" hole

[davidtu]

I am going to be putting a small fence in a garden. I am mounting it to railroad ties via two 4" lag screws. I have to countersink them and in order to fit the socket, the hole is rather large (7/8"). These will end up being below ground and I was originally planning to fill holes with an appropriate silicone sealer (I have something, I forget what--if you want to suggest what, go ahead).

Now I am thinking of using wood plugs instead, but the plug cutters I find are all too small (e.g. http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/11298)

So, what is the best way to fill the holes?

Btw, Its a little late to suggest an alternative to such large holes, as I already have 'em. (But if there was a better way to go, let me know too.)

Thanks!

(and if you've been "following" this project, yes I know it is taking forever!)

[JR]

7/8" dowels?

[Anna]

Maybe cut pieces off dowels?

[LarryG]

A 7/8" dowel as JR suggests is the obvious solution, but I don't think that's a stock diameter ... I think (emphasis on THINK) the sizes jump from 3/4" to 1".

So you might need to either drill out the holes to 1", or somehow turn a 1" dowel down to 7/8".

[LCHIEN]

A 7/8" dowel as JR suggests is the obvious solution, but I don't think that's a stock diameter ... I think (emphasis on THINK) the sizes jump from 3/4" to 1".

So you might need to either drill out the holes to 1", or somehow turn a 1" dowel down to 7/8".

That's what I'd do -
enlarge the holes to 1" and hammer in a 1" dowel, then use a flush trim saw to cut off even.

[Wood_workur]

Actually, dowels are often under size, so you have 4 options:

1. affix the dowel with epoxy if it is loose in the hole.
2. turn 7/8" dowels (if you have a lathe)
3. find a holesaw with an id or 7/8", and drill out the center hole to 3/8", and use regular plus in the middle
4. use a fly cutter

I vote for number 1 or 4

[LCHIEN]

Actually, dowels are often under size, so you have 4 options:

1. affix the dowel with epoxy if it is loose in the hole.
2. turn 7/8" dowels (if you have a lathe)
3. find a holesaw with an id or 7/8", and drill out the center hole to 3/8", and use regular plus in the middle
4. use a fly cutter

I vote for number 1 or 4

I find the store-bought dowels to be oversize and undersize. By up to +/-.010"
Not to mention oval as well.


if you want a snug fit, buy a spade bit 1" dia.
Use a file or grinder and take off .005" on each side near the tip, tapering to 0" off about 1/4" up from the tip.
Now when you drill you'll have a tapered hole to jam the dowel into.

(Or do as I do, just bring some calipers to the HW store and buy some dowels you measure to be slightly oversize.)

[Tom Miller]

Do the holes need to be filled?

If it's to protect the bolt, you could use stainless.

Just thinkin' outside the bun -- all the good answers were taken.

Regards,
Tom

[jnesmith]

Do the holes need to be filled?

If it's to protect the bolt, you could use stainless.

Just thinkin' outside the bun -- all the good answers were taken.

Regards,
Tom

That's what I was thinking. If the holes are going to be "below ground", why the need for plugs?

[gerti]

That's what I was thinking. If the holes are going to be "below ground", why the need for plugs?

My thoughts too. If it is to protect the screw, I'd use some 2-component filler or so. Seems to me a plain wood plug would be the 'weakest link' and rot away much before any of the other components.

[WayneJ]

How about auto body filler "Bondo"

[messmaker]

Bondo would work but so would some silicone caulk. You could turn a 1" dowel to fit on a router table with a straigt bit if you got to have wood and don't have a lathe.