[carvnman40]

Can anybody tell me how to repair checking in wood? I started a bust in black walnut and after a lot of work a check about 1/16" wide developed right down the center of the face. If it were something I was going to paint I wouldn't be concerned about it but you just don't cover up walnut with paint.
The wood had been air drying inside for over three years but apparently when carving I released some stresses in the wood. Any one have any suggestions how I can salvage this ?

[Paul_Guraedy]

Wow, right down the center of the face does not sound good for patching and having a natural finish. I have had some luck by taking sawdust (from the piece I am carving), mixing it with carpenter's glue and using that as a patch. But, only in obscure areas in pieces with a natural finish. I have also not had a lot of luck with stain matching on these type patches. Walnut or not, to salvage the piece you may have to resort to painting.

[cats pa]

I have had that happen in cherry, and I did similar to Paul except I made a bunch of sanding dust, which is finer than sawdust, and mixed it with clear epoxy. You have to work quickly in that case. Also, have a toothpick split in half or a really thin wire handy - something to work the mixture deep into the crack. IMHO, the deeper you fill the crack, the better it adheres. My buddy uses superglue for crack filling and swears by it.

If all else fails, make a thin wedge (or a series of them) of the same wood with the same grain orientation, tap it into the crack and shave off the excess. Glue optional, but I'd dry the wedge in the oven or microwave first so that it'll swell, if anything, once you get it in there. You don't want it shrinking and falling out.

Color matching woods is tricky, especially in opposing grain. I'd take a scrap pc of the same species, crack it, and try your different options. If I had to err dark or light, I'd go a little light and darken grain rings etc. with a little stain or dye.

HTH,
Parker

[carvnman40]

To Paul and Cats Pa:
Thanks for your imput to my drying or stress crack problem. Both suggestions look promising and sound feasible to my situation. Of course, I could always let it go as is and tell everyone that it lends character. Ha ,ha.
Mike (carvnman 40)

[A Willburger]

I have had similar problem with walnut but not on a face. You get a piece of walnut about an inch thick with the grain going the same way and the same color(try to use the same wood as the piece your carving). Make a thin wedge out of the wood. then cut it to the length of the crack. Put glue on the wedge and tap it into the crack after the glue dries cut of the excess wood. You have the crack in a bad spot you have to be careful with the direction of the grain for the wedge. The wedge is also good to prevent future cracking at that point because the wedge is forced in and under pressure.

[mark yundt]

I believe Mr. Willburger has the right approach.I have used this procedure to great results on a piece just as you describe.It was an historic bust with a crack down the face. Doing it this way you will have a solid piece with matching wood to do a more natural type of finish. Using glue and sawdust will not allow you to finish it naturally,,the glue doesn't accept stain very well and will stick out like a sore thumb. Of course a splice will not dissappear completly but will blend much more pleasingly with the surrounding wood.

[carvnman40]

I wanted to do a follow-up to my original post since I have now completed the Indian bust. First though, I want to thank those of you that offered some very good advice to my drying problem, which by the way I now believe to be stress cracks. To Paul Guraedy, cats pa, A Willburger, and Mark Youndt, thank you !!
Anyway, I ended up making small wedges from the same wood as the carving and tried to orient the grain of the wedges to that surrounding the crack. I then filled the gap with 5 min. epoxy and pushed the wedges in tight. When dry, I carved down the wedges and sanded them good. Though the gap was closed, the filled-in area was still obvious so I blended some burnt umber paint over the area with my finger,feathering it out into the surrounding area. After applying a couple coats of brushing lacquer, followed by a couple coats of satin finishing wax over the entire carving, the repaired area is not at all noticeable unless you knew what to look for.
I was unable to execute attachments for you to see the finished product here but if you go to the carvers gallery and/or the search gallery,keyword "Indian Bust", you can see the final results.
Again, thanks fellows !!! Mike

[mark yundt]

Looks like you nailed it perfectly!!! great job.That method takes a bit more work,,but the results are terrific as you can see. Glad to be of some help.

[cats pa]

Fan-flippin'-tastic! That came out great. to help.

Parker

[A Willburger]

Great job fixing the crack I looked hard but I could not find it. Glad to help out.
Andy