Wood filler is a great way to repair small holes or cracks in wood. But, if you don’t have any on hand, or if you don’t want to buy one from the store, there are plenty of ways to make your own wood filler.
In fact, most DIYers have a stash of homemade wood filler in their toolboxes because it’s easy to make and saves money!
What can I use to substitute wood filler?
You can use sawdust, glue, and polyurethane as a filler. You can also use sawdust and wood glue to fill the cracks in your furniture. While there are many different types of wood filler available for sale, you can also make your own at home with these ingredients:
- Sawdust (you can use both hardwood and softwood).
- Wood glue (such as Titebond III).
- Polyurethane (optional).
Table of Contents
- What can I use to substitute wood filler?
- Can I make wood filler from sawdust?
- Can you make wood filler with sawdust and polyurethane?
- Can you use wood glue as wood filler?
- How do you fill holes in wood without wood filler?
- How do you make wood filler with sawdust and glue?
- What is a wood filler made of?
- What’s the difference between wood filler and wood putty?
Can I make wood filler from sawdust?
That depends on the type of sawdust you have available to you. If your wood is hard and dense, like oak or maple, it will probably get the job done just fine.
However, if your wood is soft and porous like pine or cedar then it may not be as effective at filling cracks in your furniture as polyurethane would be.
To make sure that sawdust works for you as a wood filler substitute in your home projects it’s important to understand which kinds of sawdust work best:
- Hardwood sawdust has more resin content than softwood so it adheres better and resists water penetration better than softwood does (this means less shrinkage). The higher resin content also makes hardwood fillers stronger than their softer counterparts because harder fillers can resist splitting apart when sanded after application (which makes them ideal for large repairs).
- Cedar mulch has excellent absorbent properties due to its high lignin content—so there’s no need for water or solvent-based adhesives when adding cedar mulch directly onto bare wood surfaces if they’re dry enough beforehand!
Can you make wood filler with sawdust and polyurethane?
While wood filler is a nice option for those who want to save money and have access to sawdust, this material can be rather coarse.
It offers little in the way of elasticity and will not be able to fill any gaps as well as polyurethane. If you’re using sawdust as your filler, you’ll probably also need some sandpaper or a wire brush to smooth out any rough areas where the sawdust hasn’t been completely filled into the crack or hole.
On top of that, wood filler isn’t very thick and can sometimes even seem runny. This can cause problems when trying to apply it over larger areas such as furniture legs because it will be difficult for the filler material to stay in place without running down onto other surfaces below—unless you use another layer of glue underneath first!
Polyurethane has greater flexibility and elasticity than sawdust does; plus it’s usually cheaper than buying brand new furniture pieces at local stores too! So when all things are considered together…it makes sense why we would recommend against using sawdust as an alternative solution instead 🙂
Can you use wood glue as wood filler?
No. Glue is not a substitute for wood filler. Instead of filling holes in your floor, it will simply bond the two sides together and make them look like one piece of wood.
In short, what you want to use is a product that has been designed specifically for the purpose of filling holes in floors or other surfaces.
How do you fill holes in wood without wood filler?
While there are several products you can use to fill holes in wood, the best method is to use a combination of two: wood putty and wood filler.
Wood putty is an adhesive product that is similar in consistency to clay or play dough. It comes in different colors and hardens as it dries.
After applying a layer of wood putty, let it dry for about one hour before sanding it down smooth with fine-grit sandpaper (220).
After sanding, apply another layer of wood putty on top and repeat this process until your hole is filled up with layers of putty.
Once fully dry, remove any excess material from around your hole with a utility knife or another sharp blade before painting over it with primer or paint for finishing touches if desired!
How do you make wood filler with sawdust and glue?
- Mix the sawdust with the glue. Add water if needed to make it easier to mix.
- Mix until the mixture is smooth and consistent, then put it aside to dry.
- Sand smooth after it dries, and you’ll have a perfectly-sized wood filler that works like a charm!
What is a wood filler made of?
A wood filler is a type of putty. Putty is any malleable material that can be molded into any shape, and it’s typically used to fill holes and cracks in the wood.
Wood fillers are available at most home improvement stores, but if you’d prefer to make your own, there are several simple ingredients that you probably already have at home!
The best part about making your own wood filler is that you can customize the consistency based on what kind of project you’re working on: if it needs to be flexible enough for easy application or strong enough for long-term bonding with different types of surfaces (like metal), all without compromising strength when it’s dried out—then this recipe has got you covered!
What’s the difference between wood filler and wood putty?
If you’ve ever needed to fill a hole in the wall, you might have noticed the different options available at your local hardware store.
There are two types of wood fillers: wood putty and epoxy wood filler. The difference between them is simple: epoxy wood filler is a two-part mixture that needs to be mixed together before it can be applied to an area where damage has been done to your furniture or walls.
Putty, on the other hand, is one part and can simply be applied directly where you need it—no mixing required!
Conclusion
If you do decide to try making your own filler, keep in mind that it may take some trial and error before you get the texture and consistency that you want.
Make sure that whatever materials you use will be safe for use around food or other items.