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Hi everyone,
My young fella is restoring an old Standing Lamp that I have had in the shed for a long time. The base on it has some large cracks in it and I was hoping for some advice on how to best repair it (photo at link below). I know I could use some wood filler but are there any other alternatives?
Thanks
Shared album - Michael Ernest - Google Photos
Is he decided on 'restoring' or is 'renovation' an option?
If the former, you could force a thin glue into the crack and then give it a light sand so the sawdust adheres in the glue joint. That way you know the filler will be the right colour, although it'll probably take a finish coat differently to the raw timber.
If the latter, then butterfly keys across the crack(s) could look good, especially if done in a cxontrasting timber. Could also enhance the cracks by filling 'em with a a coloured resin or PVA/sawdust mix so it's obvious at a g;ancewhy the butterflies are there. ie. turn the cracks into features. ;)
FWIW, butterfly keys are also called bow-ties or dutchman joints.
Another option is to widen the crack (with a fretsaw, dremel, scribe or whatever) and drill matching pairs of holes on either side at regular intervals. Then use copper wire to lace the crack 'shut,' much like shoe-laces.
I agree with everything that Skew... has said. If it were me I would use a good thick epoxy such as Epox-E-Glue (Boatcraft Pacific) with colouring in it. You can mix in dry powder colours, or spirit stain colours (as used to stain wood or add to shellac). It would be best to make some practice mixes and let them set before choosing the best match and actually applying the adhesive. Remember to match the epoxy to the finished timber colour, not the raw timber colour as the adhesive won't react to the finish exactly as the timber will.
If it were an antique and of great value I would not use the epoxy. I'd either insert a sliver of the same timber or use the bow-ties that Skew... mentioned.
Good luck with it.
David