Wood Filler ideas...

[Old Codger]

Since I'm still a 'newbie' I have a question... I've been looking for a good way to 'fill' carving voids ...you know when you attach arms to the body, or hands to arms, etc...sometimes, no matter how closely I try and match the parts to be joined, there are little cracks that would look better if filled... I've tried a few commerical wood fillers made by MinWax, Elmers, etc. and even used Basswood sawdust mixed with Titebond or Elmers Glue but they don't seem to work very well, plus paint doesn't adhere very well when I attempt to fill voids this way.... Any ideas or suggestions on a better wood filler would be greatly appreciated... Thanks!
Kenn

[Mr. Chips]

I have found that a wood chip from the carving works best. I find one in the floor that best fits and glue in place. Don't worry about the chip being flush, just that it fills all of the void. After the glue drys go back and carver the chip down to the original plane. It will take paint like the rest of the carving.

Randy

[arfer1943]

Moisten the crack (if small) with dilute glue. Sand the moistened carved area with 120 grit W&D paper. The wood slurry from sanding should fill the crack, the dilute glue should hold it.

Perfect colour match!

[mpounders]

What you need is better paint! All kidding aside, you might try using artists gesso as a primer coat. I got that tip from trying to do realistic bird carvings. The gesso acts as a primer to give your paint something to stick to, it brightens the colors that are painted over it, and it makes colors appear as you mixed them, because it is over a white base rather than a light-brown/yellow wood colored base. I have tried it on a few carvings, particularly in areas that I wanted a solid color with no wood grain showing. I have used it successfully in completely hiding joint lines as in the legs on my "Walking in Memphis" carving, that were joined right below the knee. A friend once told me that a good painter could make any carpenter look like a cabinet maker! (He was a painter, of course!).

[Donsexton]

For what you are doing by painting I would use "ROCK HARD" water putty sands smooth and holds paint.

[Old Codger]

Thanks everyone! I've tried using the 'wood chip' method, and the 'saw dust method' too, but still not satisfied with the results...Even tried using un-diluted/non-watered down paint, but still not satisfied with them always...just thought there might be a better way to fill in and cover up some of the gaps when joining body parts/carved items to my carving...will see if I can find some 'Rock Hard' and give it a try...Gesso? I think I'll try that also as I seem to remember seeing it for sale somewhere in by search...keep the ideas coming as I'm always willing to try something new - need all the help I can get sooo Thanks for all your ideas and suggestions!!!
Kenn

[Wildbirdcarver]

A method that bird carvers use when they attach the head to the body:1). glue head to body 2.) make a grove around the entire joint. 3.) fill in with epoxy putty and feather out the edges so that there isn't a straight line. 4.) now seal and paint. Dick