Thread: How do I fill the grain?

Originally Posted by Brendan1152

OK, I am three down and one to go on the Christmas present pens!

The photo below is one of the two I said was stalled - went back into the shed this morning and the solution was easy, this is heavily grained Red Cedar, I stabilised it with CA and then sanded to 600, EEE & Glow friction polish to finish.

I think this might have looked better with a gold trim but it was specified as shown - and if you knew my kids I do mean 'specified'.

The last one is a bit trickier, the timber is heavily 'spalted' and the dark areas you see in the photograph are voids, anything up to 1.5mm deep.

I was thinking that I might use CA to seal it and then fill the voids with thick CA or stabilize with CA and then fill the voids with clear epoxy, sand to shape and then CA finish

Any ideas or advice?

I think I am hooked on pens - cannot wait until Brett is open - why does he need to take holidays when I need kits

I'd go with thin CA as a stabilizer as you turn. Be sure you've gotten a good glue up between the blank and tube. I'd use epoxy for this. Once you've turned to size, seal coat with thin then a couple coats of thick and sand to finish. Try to avoid epoxy on the exterior of the blank unless you have a non-yellowing one.

Almost forgot, the Red Cedar pen looks real good!

If you've already started with CA, stick with CA.

You can't ask for a better bond than CA on top of CA... and I can't see that epoxy would have any real advantage in this situation. (Well... it may be quicker.)

Go the thin CA as a sanding sealer just make sure you do not get any discolouration into the CA though

I agree

That piece looks like its bark and sap wood Brendon so stabilising is a must stay with CA