Wood Plugs, Any tips & tricks from the experts?

[Mary K]

John (Micro) You might be interested in this too.

I will be plugging my trim work this weekend and was wondering if you kind folks have any advice.

I have some plugs I made with a plug bit, and a bag of plugs to try out, and also a dowel stick to try also.

The plugs I made with the bit are not very pretty. I used a drill press here at work. I think it was cutting to slow and I couldn't figure out how to make it run faster....

Any tips and advice would be welcome.

Thanks a bunch!!

Mk

[rbeemer]

try here
http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/T ... Plugs.html

[48Rob]

Hello Mary,

An expert is a position I have yet to qualify for, but...

I've discovered that most do it yourself plug cutters are far from sharp, and thus chip and splinter.
You can drill a batch, then carefully belt sand the tops to get back to good wood, before popping them out.

When ever I'm not trying to make the plug "dissapear" I prefer beveled hardwood plugs, as once glued and driven in, they compress the wood around them, leaving no gaps.
Once flush cut and sanded, the contrasting look can't be beat.
When I don't want them to stand out, I'll cut some from the same stock they're going into.

Most Drill presses have a set of pulleys, one on the motor, one on the spindle.
Each has several positions, like the sprocket on the back of a 10 speed bicycle.
Changing which slot the belt runs in, determines the speed of the spindle.
There is generally a diagram inside the lid or cover to give you the speed versus position.

Rob

[Gerald_G]

Here's some tips that I've had success with. Mileage may vary.

1: dont cut the plugs all the way through - make them out of stock thicker than the plug depth and then "pop" them out with a screwdriver.

2: make them a bit taller than required, so that when driven in you have a bit to sand off. This make the best smooth top IMHO.

3: use a bit that makes tapered plugs.

4: Align grain when glueing in.

[Steve_Cox]

Yup Mk, what they said

[Mary K]

Rick, Thanks. I'm so spoiled here I often forget to search the Web for answers.

Rob, The plugs I cut were okay on the tops, but the sides were very jagged, if figured it was the slow speed of the drill.

I want my plugs to stand out, so I will look for the HW beveled plugs you suggest. Thank you.

Gerald, Good tips. I didn't know they made a tapered plug bit... You boy's have all the coolest toys. Thanks Bunches!!

Steve, What I said to them..

Mk

[tonyj]

Most plug cutters produce a tapered plug, but the taper is very slight. If I drop one (so I don't know which was tapered), I can usually roll it between my finger and thumb to tell which end is thicker.

The rough edges you describe are a result of the cutter, not the speed. They make cutters with one cutting surface up to four individual cutters. It is possible the rough surface won't make any difference unless the gap shows up when you cut or sand the plug to the surface.

I cut my plugs from a blank, not cutting all the way through. Instead of popping them out with a screwdriver, I put a piece of duct tape across the top of the board (the surface I cut) covering the plugs, flip the board on its side and run it through a bandsaw (if you can get access to one.). I cut the plus longer than the hole, install them so there is plug exposed, then either trim with a sharp chisel, or preferably, cut with a flush cut saw (0 degree tooth set). Then a light touch up with a random orbit sander.

I would use store bought plugs over cutting from a dowel--you really need that taper and you can't get that with a dowel.

Here's the plug cutter I use from Woodworker supply:
http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=908-386

[sHoootR]

You might try here,this is what I used.......
http://www.craftparts.com/mall/Pegs_Other.asp



Hopee that helps................

[Mary K]

Awesome Tony!!!

All the little unknows are coming into light for me.

These are 2 plugs I practiced on a few weeks ago. Testing the stain more than anything really. I will be trying for a darker more even stain on my trim though than what is pictured.


Is the darker stain around the edges typical? Ah, I will just practice tonight on them and hopefully get better by the morning when I need to start on the real stuff. Times a ticking for me....tick tock...


Mk

Mk

[Mary K]

You might try here,this is what I used.......
http://www.craftparts.com/mall/Pegs_Other.asp



Hopee that helps................

Guy, WOW cool. I have not seen pictures of your TD before now. That is a nice looking Woody.

Thanks for the link.

Mk

[Mary K]

Guy, I was just going thorough your Gallery and I love the your porch lights.

I have been hemhawing around on buying them because I could not find any I liked. This gives me something to think about on making my own.

How many Watts does one need for a porch light.

I just hijack my own thread.

Mk

[tonyj]

Yes, the darker ring is usual, caused by the wood fiber soaking up more stain. I find that using a contrasting wood for the plug tricks the eye into not seeing the ring. Also caused by the glue holding the plug in (if you are using any).

Another option to lessen that ring is to use a preconditioning wood sealer (Minwax) on the bare wood. It also helps get a more even stain because less stain soaks into the soft wood. You can, of course, apply additional layers of stain to darken. I've started using it as a primer on everything I'm covering with poly. It might also lessen the wood filler difference you are getting.

[Mary K]

Thanks Tony. I will get some practice in tonight.

I sure hope that one day I can give back as much advice and help to others on this forum as I have received here.

Thanks Folks.

Mk

[apratt]

Awesome Tony!!!

All the little unknows are coming into light for me.

These are 2 plugs I practiced on a few weeks ago. Testing the stain more than anything really. I will be trying for a darker more even stain on my trim though than what is pictured.


Is the darker stain around the edges typical? Ah, I will just practice tonight on them and hopefully get better by the morning when I need to start on the real stuff. Times a ticking for me....tick tock...


Mk

Mk

Mary, I kinda like the rings. It gives a contrasting patern. Looks good.

[tonyj]

I sure hope that one day I can give back as much advice and help to others on this forum as I have received here.

Mk

Until I found this forum, I don't know how many times I said I was so sad that woodworking seemed to be a dying art, and that you could look long and hard and not meet anyone who shared that interest. This place has given me hope, and you will pass on the knowledge, Grasshopper.