Fixing chipout?

Techmonkey · #1 08-04-2006, 10:12 AM

I've had my body planed down twice, and both times I've had some chipout in the grain... the wood is claro walnut.

It's not that deep - about 1mm at the deepest point. but it's dotted all over the back of the body. How will it affect the look if I fix it with some walnut/glue powder? I plan to finish with many coats of danish oil... in the first coat, wet sanding with the oil to fill the grain, if that helps any.

I can take pics if anyone needs it. I'm at a loss - I've spent the best part of the afternoon sanding the back down, and my power sander is finally packing in (after about 10 years of heavy use) leaving me with just some files and a rasp.

Any help is much appreciated!

Techmonkey · #2 08-04-2006, 11:09 AM

Ok... fixed my powersander, and really went to town with the sanding. it'll just about do now I think. Should be fine when I wet sand with the oil.

Hambone · #3 08-04-2006, 01:34 PM

I would recommend filling the pores with something like amber shellac. It's quick drying time and fast film build will be better than the wet sanding. The shellac also warms up the color of the walnut nicely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Techmonkey

I've had my body planed down twice, and both times I've had some chipout in the grain... the wood is claro walnut.

It's not that deep - about 1mm at the deepest point. but it's dotted all over the back of the body. How will it affect the look if I fix it with some walnut/glue powder? I plan to finish with many coats of danish oil... in the first coat, wet sanding with the oil to fill the grain, if that helps any.

I can take pics if anyone needs it. I'm at a loss - I've spent the best part of the afternoon sanding the back down, and my power sander is finally packing in (after about 10 years of heavy use) leaving me with just some files and a rasp.

Any help is much appreciated!

Techmonkey · #4 08-04-2006, 02:07 PM

Thanks for the tip! would I then do the final gloss finish with shellac too? or is that something I could do with oil?

Sorry with the newbie finishing qs there, but I've only ever used danish oil for finishing

Hambone · #5 08-05-2006, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Techmonkey

Thanks for the tip! would I then do the final gloss finish with shellac too? or is that something I could do with oil?

Sorry with the newbie finishing qs there, but I've only ever used danish oil for finishing

You'll fill with the shellac and then sand smooth before applying oil. Oil works best when it's got some raw wood to penetrate.

Techmonkey · #6 08-05-2006, 10:57 AM

Ok great

Thanks once again for the help, Mighty Hambone! A wiser man never roamed these forums!

Larry Davis · #7 08-05-2006, 03:22 PM

Your description of the chip out pattern is consistent with power knife planing against the grain. Look at the wood edge and feed into the planer with the grain run out in this direction \\\\\\\\\\ (as the leading end) and not this direction ///////////. The first grain orientation results in clean cuts from the knives while pushing the grain downward and the second pulls the grain apart (and up) causing the chip out. This grain orientation should be followed using a power sander as well. I think I know that walnut

Hambone · #8 08-10-2006, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Techmonkey

Ok great

Thanks once again for the help, Mighty Hambone! A wiser man never roamed these forums!

Actually, someone much wiser than myself posted above.

Techmonkey · #9 08-11-2006, 06:52 AM

Ok, ok!! I revise my post!

A wiser man never roamed this forum than Larry!

Thanks for the help, both of you

of course Larry knows everything (literally), but I haven't seen him around the luthiery section for a while. Thanks for checking out this post

Yeah, the walnut is great thanks

it's not too hard to shape with hand tools, which was my main fear. when I get somewhere less embaressing in its construction I'll post some pics in a new thread