Thread: Earl's wood hardener

Sounds like an excuse for you to get some with your staff discount and do some extensive testing for us GJ

Originally Posted by Grumpy John

I noticed this product on the shelf at bunnies today and was wondering if anyone has used it for treating spalted timber or tried using it on "cranky" endgrain.

Hi GJ,

I remember to have read about this same product a few times in recent times, I got you this link as one of them, http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...nings+hardener
but there are others, one in particular only recently where a bloke was trying to repair a bathroom window frame and did purchase this product but if I recall correctly, he didn't like the results as the timber didn't hardener as much as he was expecting. I thing that a good search will not only find this thread I'm talking about but also, many others that will certainly answer your question. I personally, have never tried the product so I can't comment!

Good luck

Cheers
RBTCO

It does say at the bottom of the ad that the wood after treatment should not be considered as structural.

I have repaired rotten window frames and sills by soaking the soft parts after drying with polyester resin diluted to runny with acetone, then filled the gaps with bondo - a polyester resin auto body filler.

I have some very spalted, almost rotten maple crotches that I will try the dilute resin on.

I roughed one out and have lots of tear out on the end grain. I soaked it with dilute polyurathane varnish and am letting it dry thoroughly before proceeding.

I've used generic "Builders Bog" (My product was called Fuller Building Filler) with some success to patch a door lock opening that needed to be relocated. It sands easily 30 minutes after application and can be painted. Available at Bunnings under several names.
One word of warning. Do a test first. I found the instructions for mixing confusing and had to dig the first lot out because it didn't harden. It came out OK and I got the mix right the next time.
I think it's expensive so fill large areas if possible. I used a timber block to fill most of the door lock, glued it in and then patched the outside 2 mm or so with the Builders Bog . It came up fine and is barely detectible 2 years on.

Mal