Seeking advice on woodwork repair

Post by **ani** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 2:32 pm

Need to do a few repairs to the wood-work - don't want to replace the wood at the current time. Can anyone tell me what I need to do and what materials I'll need to complete the repair. I was thinking some kind of epoxy resin but I'll like to hear from the experts. Photo shows the rear door where I've scraped out the glue and soft wood. Many thanks

Post by **ani** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 2:34 pm

Here's the picture!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:01 pm

You can fill it up with plastic padding - that kind of thing - as it's a door - it's not structural - so shouldn't worry MOT .

Post by **ASL642** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:09 pm

See if you can get a small piece of ash from someone restoring a Traveller who may have a sound bit from the old wood around. Exterior wood glue it in and then treat with some cuprinol and Danish oil. It is too large an area for filler I'd say.

Post by **ani** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:16 pm

I've got heaps and heaps of ash in the garden - Simon my son is a tree surgeon and it happens to be a popular tree to fell

I'll check to see if any of it is seasoned well enough

Post by **Declan_Burns** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 7:19 am

Ani,
If I was going to try and do a repair on that door that would look acceptable-at least until you get aroung to replacing the whole section, I would do a splice joint -see the red lines. Cut carefully with a fine saw and use say a piece of scrap 0.5mm aluminium wedged or taped in the corner so that you don't cut into the panel. Make wedges from seasoned ash, sand the joint back about 1 inch and blend in as best as possible. Use something like "UHU" Hart, which is a balsa cement (ah the scale aircraft modelling days come back to mind), which dries invisibly or PVA white glue which will leave a visible seam. You will not match the grain perfectly. It all depends on how much work you put into it. It will be visible-especially to yourself but not as obvious to others. Treat the section as mentioned above. Splice joints would look better and would not be such a focal point as if you use a filler.

Post by **aupickup** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 8:25 am

splice joints are indeed the best way

but use pu glue

when i come round i will take a look

Post by **ani** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 9:31 am

Many thanks Declan - that information sounds really good but just might be beyond my capabilities! .......and thanks Dennis. I've done a quick temporary repair but the ash I used wasn't seasons so it will probably shrink! Generally the wood is really good but we do want to strip it back and recoat with one of the preferred methods - yet to be decided. Funny wood has now become a feature of my existence. The other day my gate post snapped at the bottom I think and the only way to get the gate open is to lift, push with great strength and then try to open. Unfortunately doing this a few times has resulted in my back seizing up

Yesterday it was bad - today I can't move without serious pain. Looks like I'll be doing very little till I can get it better. "snarl" "drat" Perhaps I need a splice joint for my back

Post by **ASL642** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:50 am

Get your son to turn you a walking stick from the remains of the ash

Post by **ani** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:56 am

What a good idea

However I'm rather hoping he might find time to renew the post on the gate. Till then the cars are trapped! Its stupid really and I'm sure you will identify with this - when you're not very tall, you still think you can pick up elephants without assistance! Daft really cos I'm not really Ms Universe

Post by **aupickup** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:02 am

hope back gets better soon

Post by **ani** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:04 am

Thanks Dennis

I will really appreciate your woodworking advice - that is, of course, your field of expertise. Have a great trip around the lakes - fingers crossed for sunshine

Post by **aupickup** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:18 am

thanks

390 mile trip wow but sure all will be ok

also i will have a look at work for some ash, we have some some where
and if i knew where where was i could find it easier

Post by **8009STEVE** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:20 am

Got some ash for you. Taking it to Dorset rally now. Hope to see you there.

Post by **ani** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:26 am

Steve - that's really kind but I'm not sure if I can actually make it. If my back makes a recovery by tomorrow I'm come along but am uncertain at the moment. Even the painkillers aren't doing anything

Post by **ani** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 2:39 pm

So here's a picture of my very temporary repair - splicing I'll leave to the experts when this falls out

Showing my carefully carved piece of Ash (not seasoned!!) and the result. Not great but better than the gap I've treated all the surrounding area with Ronseal wood hardener. The dark coloured bit doesn't look too wonderful

Post by **ASL642** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 2:51 pm

Perhaps if you wait for it all to dry/harden and then give it a gentle sand back, some of the darkening will go. A bit of Danish oil will penetrate the wood and stop it from drying out and cracking. It certainly looks better than a rotten bit would. Hope the back's getting better by the way?

Post by **Declan_Burns** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 7:12 pm

Well done Ani-as a temporary repair it looks fine. I hope your back gets better and you get that gate fixed so you can go moggying!

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