|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Using A Plug
Cutter
|
| Wood putty
might be a convenient way to fill nail holes and marks in wood but
there are a few major drawbacks. First, as the wood ages and changes
color, there is a good chance that the putty will not match. Second,
wood shrinks and grows as the relative moisture levels in your home
change with the seasons. This shrinking and growing can cause the
putty to crack or become dislodged with time. |
 |
| One of the best
ways to get around these problems is to use a wooden plug. You can buy
pre-cut wooden plugs or make your own with a plug cutter. The biggest
advantage of cutting your own plugs is that you can get a close color
match by using scraps from the same project. |
|
| A
plug cutter cuts a tapered hole in the face grain of a board. The plug
is then either trimmed or snapped off from the wood remaining in the
center of the hole. Because of their tapered shape, these wood plugs
can be coated with glue and then tapped firmly into a hole to form a
snug fit. |
| Because
plug cutters don't have a center spur, it's best to use them in a drill
press. If you don't have a drill press you can get around this by
drilling a hole in a piece of scrap plywood to hold the plug cutter in
place. The hole should be slightly larger than the outside diameter of
the plug cutter.
Note: You can find plug cutters at most
hardware stores. |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
