How to make hardwood floor filler

I have recently installed an oak floor salvaged from railroad box cars. I have plugged the many hole used to bolt the planks to the car but still many imperfections, gouges, etc. exist.

I wanted to make a slurry from the saw dust to fill all these depressions. Can anyone help me with a recipe for this slurry? Wood glue and saw dust to a creamy mixture?

Thanks,

ChrisD92

Replies

JohnWW | Sep 12, 2003 10:32pm | #1
Chris,
Using sawdust and glue to fill dents and gouges will just make a mess, the filler still won't look at all like the solid wood, and the glue will cause finishing problems later on.
You'll have better luck with commercial fillers, choose one tinted to match the final color of the floor and then run a test on a piece of scrap using whatever finish you plan to use on the entire floor. If you have large filled in spots, you can blend in the filled areas with oil colors brushed on with a small brush to simulate the surrounding wood grain.
If the flooring has stains on it from chemical and oil spills when it was used in a boxcar, you may have problems getting a new finish to stick to it.
John W.
TXJon | Sep 12, 2003 11:00pm | #2
You should use sanding dust (wood flour), not sawdust. Sawdust is much too coarse. Also try epoxy rather than wood glue.
Keep in mind that the dust/epoxy will cure to a darker color than the original wood. You could use a tinted epoxy thickener, or wood flour from a lighter/darker wood to get the color you are looking for.
The patch will not absorb stain, so you need to get the color right! It's also a hassle, you may want to consider learning to appreciate the character and history of the floor, it's a lot less trouble.
Jon
nigelUsa | Sep 13, 2003 01:12am | #3
Was this floor not intended to be "rustic" looking? fill and patch the big holes and leave the rest.
stancalow | Sep 14, 2003 05:30pm | #4
How big are the holes? If they are bigger than a high-heel tip, they will wear unevenly. If they are fairly round, how about cutting plugs out of one of the boards and gluing them in?

k9s | Sep 16, 2003 04:03pm | #5
Since you have plugged the screw holes, cutting dutchmans for the large gouges will help enhance the rustic look. Use football, butterfly or what ever shapes you like. As mentioned before leave the small stuff unfilled for character.

rslatm | Sep 18, 2003 11:00pm | #6
We sell antique recycled lumber and flooring and get extra for that look...it's called character grade. Some imperfections we might fill with epoxy and sawdust or even a few dutchmen patches but never would anyone do what you suggest. You might sand it a bit more to soften it.

Edited 9/19/2003 7:55:11 AM ET by Rick at Arch. Timber and Millwork

Manchild | Sep 19, 2003 10:01pm | #7
The prettiest florr I ever saw was where they used square pegs hammered in and then they used a sander that was soft enough that it sanded the early grain more than the late grain. when you looked at the floor the grain texture was beautiful!
The square pegs showed the hammer marks too!

Phat | Sep 21, 2003 12:55am | #8
Two years ago I re-finished my old fir floor. Against most of the advise I got to not broad trowel the floor - fir moves a lot, so the filler might not stay, I used the dust from the second to final sanding mixed with the polyurethane I was going to varnish the floor with.
Worked great. I figured the worst that could happen was I'd have gaps - again. So far, none.
I've previously used a commercially available binder - smelled awful, like model cement, which "dried" too damn quickly. Sanding through it was a pain.
SpudLiberal Arts Graduate
Will Think for Food

This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled

Get It All!

UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.

Start Your Free Trial

Is it worth it? Reclaiming old hardwood floors to make stuff
Ripping hardwood
Plywood vs. Hardwood for bookcase?
Don’t know where to start. Trying to selling a collection of raw hardwood for my Dad who is moving.

Recent Posts and Replies

View More Create Post

Digital Plans Library

Member exclusive! – Plans for everyone – from beginners to experts – right at your fingertips.

View the Library

Highlights

Shape Your Skills
when you sign up for our emails
Plus tips, advice, and special offers from Fine Woodworking.
Newsletter Signup Sign Up
Signing you up...
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
Shop Talk Live Podcast
Our biweekly podcast allows editors, authors, and special guests to answer your woodworking questions and connect with the online woodworking community.
Our favorite articles and videos
We have created these special content collections organized to give you a deep dive into a range of topics that matter.
E-Learning Courses from Fine Woodworking
Join our trusted experts for these in-depth, online learning experiences.

From the Store

Previous Next

2023 Tool Guide
Buy Now
Foundations of Woodworking
Buy Now
Build More Stuff with Wood
Buy Now
2022 Fine Woodworking Archive
Buy Now

Get the latest from Fine Woodworking Magazine

#301-JAN/FEB 2023
- Batching out boxes
- Online Extras from FWW Issue #301
- Get started carving
#300-Tools & Shops 2023
- How to build old-fashioned carriage doors
- Online extras from FWW issue #300
- 300 issues and counting
#299-NOV/DEC 2022
- Shaker Chest with a side drawer
- Online Extras from FWW Issue #299
- Editor's letter: My friend Nancy Hiller
#298-SEP/OCT 2022
- How to Cut Houndstooth Dovetails
- Online Extras from FWW Issue #298
- Editor's letter: The fear of failure
#297-JULY/AUG 2022
- Build a traditional plate rack
- Online Extras from FWW Issue #297
- Editor's Letter: Technology and the future of woodworking

UNLIMITED membership - Get access to it all

Start Free Trial Upgrade Membership

Fine WoodWorking

Follow

Get woodworking tips, expert advice and special offers in your inbox

Newsletter Signup Go

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

Members
Digital Libraries
Join Unlimited
Magazine Subscription
Magazine Renewal
Gift a Subscription
Customer Support
Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

Fine Homebuilding
Green Building Advisor
Fine Gardening
Threads

About
Contact
Advertise
Careers
Copyright
Terms of Use
Site Map

Do not sell my information
Privacy Policy
Accessibility
California Privacy Rights

Fine Woodworking receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Get instant access to over 100 digital plans available only to UNLIMITED members. Start your 14-day FREE trial - and get building!

Search Search

Main Menu

Projects and Plans
How-To
Shop Tips
Tools & Materials
Videos
Gallery
Magazine
Video Workshops
Members
Forum

Account

Log In
Join

Magazine

Current Issue
Past Issues
Digital Libraries
Magazine Index
Subscribe

Membership

Member Home
Start Free Trial
Gift Unlimited
Log In

Shop the Store

Books
DVDs
Taunton Workshops

Events

Fine Woodworking Live
Fine Woodworking HANDS ON

Account

Get woodworking tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Newsletter Signup Go

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

See all newsletters

Follow

UNLIMITED

Become an UNLIMITED member and get it all: searchable online archive of every issue, how-to videos, Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking digital series, print magazine, e-newsletter, and more.

Start Your Free Trial

Upgrade Membership

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to video workshops, digital plans library, online archive, and more, plus the print magazine.

What do you use to fill gaps in hardwood floors?

Apply a fine bead of wood putty to the gap, then work it into the gap with your finger, using circular motions to force the putty down into the gap. Remove excess putty from the wood surface using a putty knife. Be careful not to scratch the floor's finish.

What do you mix with sawdust to make wood filler?

Gather the cleaned sawdust into a small pile or in a paper cup. Add wood glue and stir with a craft stick, adding more glue until the mixture is a thick putty, roughly the texture of cookie dough. Avoid adding so much glue that the mixture becomes runny.

make hardwood floor filler