Guide for How to Make Wood Filler with Sawdust Properly

Filling in gaps in the wood furniture you are dealing with can occasionally be a hard task, especially when finding the color of wood fillers to match the color of the timber.

Additionally, as the filling dries, the fillers you buy can change color, which makes them look obvious as a fill on the finished product.

You possibly run out of top brands of wood filler and require a quick replacement. Fortunately, there is an easy solution to this issue. Sawdust can be used to create your wood filler.

How to make wood filler with sawdust

Sawdust must be combined with a binding agent to create a paste used as a wood filler. Once dried, the paste is applied to the hole in the wood.

You sand it to a smooth surface after drying. Shellac, CA glue, epoxy, or wood glue is all acceptable binding agents.

Sand, a piece of wood, to obtain matching sawdust. Combine the glue or any binding agent with the sawdust. After mixing, you just put the filler directly into the cracks on the wood surface.

Wait until the filling is completely dried, and you just sand it to get a smooth finish. The last task is you apply the finish, such as the paint.

Why would you use sawdust to make wood filler?

Making sawdust-based wood filler at home is more practical and appropriate in a few situations. It can be challenging to match the color of wood fillers at the store, especially if you have a project to sell.

You do not know the colors will appear once they dry, and the hues of the wood filler in a container could not meet the needs. Should you pick the one that closely resembles your wood or lighten it?

Making wood filler at home with sawdust is not only an option for color matching. You might need to finish a project quickly and be out of filler.

You can make the wood filler and finish the project on schedule as an alternative completion method.

Sawdust as a filler for wood

For creating wood filler, you must assemble a mass of sawdust. It would be better to get the sawdust from the same wood piece you are working on to match the hue.

To produce your sawdust, use a waste piece of wood available on your project. There are ways to obtain the sawdust needed for the task.

You sand the piece of wood to collect the dust on the bag if the orbital sander has one.

Another option is to make the sawdust by rubbing some sandpaper over the wood. To collect the dust, you place a piece of cardboard or paper.

The quality of the filler will increase with the fine sawdust. To create it from the discarded wood, you should use 220 grit sandpaper.

You could consider using a grit of 180, but do not go much lower because sawdust will get coarser.

Making wood filler with wood glue

Woodworkers will have wood glue in their workshop. It is an accessible and convenient binding agent for your filler. The strength of this glue as it dries is familiar to most woodworkers.

When used to create wood filler, this glue performs excellently and is simple. Avoid adding too much glue to the filler mixture at the beginning.

Using shellac to make wood filler

Shellac is a wood finish that is widely known. It makes wood beautiful on the surface, enhancing its appearance and preserving it.

The process for combining with shellac is much similar to any other adhesive. Sawdust and shellac are mixed to create a paste.

The main issue with this agent filling wood is that it is less rigid after curing. Although it will become slightly harder, it can still be easily dented with a finger. Typically, this filler looks softer than the wood around it.

Because of this, you only use this kind of adhesive for a decorative items that will not be subjected to a lot of wear.

Making wood filler with epoxy and sawdust

You must work swiftly while adding the sawdust to the epoxy since this binding agent can dry quickly. Applying the filler with a craft stick is preferable because epoxy also sets up extremely hard.

Additionally, you must avoid getting much of this filler on the nearby wood. If you do, you should rapidly wash it off before wiping the area with a wet cloth or a rag lightly dipped in some acetone.

Because the epoxy mixture is transparent, the color that the filler would eventually assume would be closing the original.

How to make wood filler with super glue

Superglue, often known as gorilla glue, has the benefit of setting extremely hard like epoxy. It can be used to create filler that can fill knots and cracks and prevent them from spreading.

The color of the fillet created using this glue will resemble the original but be a little darker.

Additionally, this product is available in various tints, allowing you to experiment with many shades to find the perfect match for your project.

After the filler has dried, it is simple to sand to a very smooth surface that is pleasant to touch and provides reliable strength. So, in addition to filling the gaps and cracks, this kind of filler is also useful for repairs.

Issues with using sawdust as wood filler

As the filler dries, handmade fillings occasionally experience shrinkage. You may apply it so that it is just above the surface of the wood to account for any potential shrinkage.

For excess, you can sand it after the filler is hard and cured completely. Make sure to sand smoothly and carefully.

The absorbent properties of the surrounding wood are lost when a wood filler is employed, whether it be produced or purchased.

This situation occurs because the filler is already bonded with the binding agent, even though water is not easy to penetrate.

The filler won’t absorb the stain, and then the stain won’t impact it. You must adjust the color of the stain to create the same finish unless you try an unorthodox style.

Related:

Paintable Wood Filler for Your Furniture Painting Project

Wood Filler Showing Through Paint

How to Remove Sawdust from Clothes