Thread: Hairline gap in mitre joint - HELP

If you can get hold of some cabinetmakers wax sticks, find one that matches the timber and work it in. Bunnings used to have them in their paint section, and I think Liberon make them, too.

Increase the size of the gap with a saw or router and put a decorative spline in????

I seem to remember reading about this some time ago but I am not sure of the details. The idea was that if the outside edge of the mitre doesn't meet the mitre cut is not exactly 45° so you reduce the angle of the cut slightly ( or increase it) and vice-a-versa if the inside is gappy.

Hope this helps.

No photo or it didn't happen

I love making boxes, but because I'm so crap at it I've made every mistake 8 times. I think Master Splinter is right, but rather than making a feature/contrast, use an off cut of the same wood and make an ultra fine veneer (bandsaw and sand it flat to thickness). Using a Japanese saw, carefully cut a few mm lengthwise into that long kerf (might need a small jig to get spot on) and glue the new veneer in.

When set, sand it all to a sharp 90 degrees. The grain won't match, but if the colour is the same and you are talking about 0.3 or 0.5mm you might get away with the casual stare.

I do this for the finger joints or dovetail I bugger up. It hides them spectacularly.

Another idea struck me...perhaps you could use a very thin kerf Japanese saw (I have a 0.3mm) and you could saw the whole joint open (through spline and all) and reglue it closed without the spline. (use a syringe with a large bore to get the glue in). The thin kerf saw, at least the thickness of the gap, will cut the right material out to close it.

....it might stress the other three corners a tad, so maybe a quick steam before glueing that corner will help it move.

Thanks for this Evanism. Where do you get syringes with large bore needles?

Just so happens I'm as crook as a toad eating dog today and was watching the Doug Stowe box making video.

While I can't find the one he was using, which is like an inkjet cartridge filling setup, Carbatec have a few syringes with big bores: Glue Syringes : CARBA-TEC

I'm pretty sure I've seen big bore needles and injectors like this in woolworths for fine cake decoration.....I'll keep hunting.

Edit: found them. They are called accordion bottles. Here is a sample from Lee Valley: Accordion Bottles - Lee Valley Tools

Just so happens I have been similarly crook since early Wed morning when I awoke with my throat on fire, and have been poring over Veneering books and videos all week

thanks for your help with the box problem, Evanism. It is sitting on the family room table, all glued up and staring at me until I am well enough to have another go at closing the gap, making some silver ash stringing and cutting off the lid. I'll swear that gap is getting bigger

thanks for the tip about accordion bottles

Some art shops may have those accordion bottles. They may be called ink spoids.

Originally Posted by AlexS

They may be called ink spoids.

thanks Alex, will go in search of spoids when back on deck

If you are looking for srynges try a pet stock place, lots of different sizes ie cat dog goat horse. They are usually pretty inexpensive
cheers

Hi Dengue, I found the reference I was talking about. It is possible you do not have your saw at exactly 45° and if the outside of the mitre is open increase the angle slightly, conversely, if the inside of the mitre is open reduce the angle.

Give it a try.

You might like to try lightly hammering the edges of the joint to try to deform the timber into filling the gap. I have had some success using this method. PS Use a scrap of something else between the hammer and the work face.

Originally Posted by Bob Willson

You might like to try lightly hammering the edges of the joint to try to deform the timber into filling the gap. I have had some success using this method. PS Use a scrap of something else between the hammer and the work face.

I have seen this done, but cannot recall if it was on the internet or lifestyle program. I might be a little out in my thinking but here goes; the round of the screwdriver was used with a bit of glue in the joint rubbing the joint closed.

Originally Posted by Christos

I have seen this done, but cannot recall if it was on the internet or lifestyle program. I might be a little out in my thinking but here goes; the round of the screwdriver was used with a bit of glue in the joint rubbing the joint closed.

Yes Christos

I have seen and done that too.