Thread: Grain filling with epoxy

My rule of thumb is if you can see it now, you'll really be able to see it when finished. My first thought on those is that they look more like saw marks than sanding swirls (unless you have a really big sander!) - how much sanding/what grit are you up to?

Alternatively, it could be just figure in the timber - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figure_%28wood%29

Its hard to believe that they are saw marks. The slab was originally a lot thicker. I actually took about 20 to 30mm off the thickness as it was quite warped. I used a router on a sled to do this with a large diameter bit (50mm) from carbitool which is purposely made for the job.
I then planed it with a number 3 plane as the routing did not leave a perfectly flat surface. There was very slight marks across the slab where the router bit overlapped on each run across the slab.
I have since ROS 120, 240 then by hand with 320 and 400 on a sanding block. (Run out of sanding discs in higher grits)

Im trying to imagine now after your comment what it would actually be like trying to handle a sander that large by hand!! Scary I think.

Could it possibly just be some funky grain and I have actually got a bit of tear out when I have planed it?

Originally Posted by legin

Could it possibly just be some funky grain and I have actually got a bit of tear out when I have planed it?

I think that's just highly figured timber. We pay extra for that. Google 'curly jarrah'.

Best planed with a thicknesses with a helical head, finished with a cabinet scraper.

Epoxy will do for a grain filler. It's horrible stuff to sand though and not self levelling. Any reason not to use polyester resin instead?

Cheers
Arron

Those swirls aren't sander marks, that's the grain

Thanks for the replies. I am now assuming its the figure in the wood. I didnt even think of finishing it with a scraper. Im off to the offending piece armed with my cabinet scraper now.

Just on the use of epoxy as grain filler.

Personally I don't like that idea as epoxy can be harder than the wood around it and you will most likely be sanding in hills and valleys. I should also add that I have used epoxy as a hole filler to the surface of the wood. Not too much as the overspill can take a little while to clean up.

Thanks for the advice guys. I have just finished going over it with a cabinet scraper. It took a while and I had to sharpen the scraper a fair bit but it worked out quite nicely. It actually bought the grain out a fair bit.
Its cricket time now so I have pulled up stumps for the night. I will probably go over it again tomorrow with the scraper some more. The more I use the scraper the better it looks.
I do still want to use a grain filler, Im probably going to steer clear of using epoxy.
Aron, what is polyester resin. Whats the difference between that and epoxy?
If not I'll probably go with the old trusty timbermate

Polyester is old fashioned fibreglass resin - as used in the majority of fibreglass boats and most casting resins. It's cheaper and easier to get then epoxy, a little bit easier to sand, but most importantly it's a bit more fault tolerant and reliable. Not a big difference though and if you already have either I would use it.

Epoxy is tougher and bonds to wood better. It makes a better boat.

Christos's comment is a good one. When it comes to sanding the hills and valleys thing is something I can never get past.