Thread: I need help with a couple of knots in my table top

Looks like a good project Bob.

With voids like those (and I speak as a turner, not a furniture maker), I'd fill them with a 1:1 mix of epoxy and ground coffee beans.

Can still be worked with tools without too much damage to their edges, and the colour mostly matches knots and will show some texture.

I've just had exactly the same problem with some silky, so here's what I did.
Cover the underside of the knots with a couple of layers of masking tape, then flip the boards. Mix up some casting resin (available from the green shed or other hardware stores), and add a couple of drops of spirit wood stain. I used Feast Watson jarrah - cedar is too red. Dribble the resin into the space around the knots. It will slowly seep into all the voids - just keep adding until it's fill to the top. If you are careful you can slightly overtop it to allow for slight shrinkage. Leave it for 24 hours to go off completely. You will be able to plane, sand etc. like wood, and it looks like a solid knot.

A tip for mixing the resin - the measurer from children's Panadol is ideal for small amounts of catalyst.

Thanks for the advice. I'll give both methods a try before I tackle the main lots.

I'll post some pictures of the results. Don't hold your breath while waiting! I'm on a 3 and 1 FIFO roster in WA. I won't be back in the shed for another week.

Thanks again

Bob

I eventually opted for the casting resin method using Jarah stain. The process was a bit more complicated than I thought. Some of the knot holes were quite large extending all the way through the timber. It took 5 or 6 appliactions to finally fill the holes. Levelling the hardened resin was also a pain ( I sanded my finger nail off in a belt sander mishap, but that's another storey). I found my old number 5 with a curved blade ala Chris Schwarz to be effective, but the edge on the blade only lasted a few strokes.

Anyway here are a few pictures of the finished table.

Lovely

Nice table, love it
Good to see some nice timber not let go to waste because of a few knots! Fencefurniture has a new rasp that would be perfect for taking the resin down, i am yet to do a review of it.....it will happen soon
What sort of finish did you use?

Thanks Ueee

I used Cabots CTF (?)Floor Oil. I had a lot of difficulty with it because I was applying it with a brush and the temperature in my workshop was only 8 degrees. Ihas a lot of trouble with streaking. For the last few coats I diluted it to 50% and wiped it on with a rag.

I am still not 100% happy with it, but it gives a good durable result.

B.O.B.

looks great, well done

That has come up really nice.

congratulations on a great job -lovely table.

Looks good

Now that's what i call a housewarming present!!!!

Beautiful table. Lovely design and very well made.

Congrats.

Steven.

Beautiful table there mate