Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello all,
I am getting ready to bend a set of figured/spalted maple that has some worm holes in the sides and back. I was going to fill it with black filler to accentuate the holes b/c they can't be disguised very well.

Should I use black epoxy, or ebony dust with glue? What are your opinions? The other question is whether or not I should fill before I bend or after. Before would be more convenient but I wonder if the bending would hurt the fill or stain the wood around the fill b/c of the heat and moisture.

Thanks for your help.

Homeboy

Ebony dust flood with CAMichaelP39022.6285069444

Wood and glue, not straight epoxy. The epoxy will look like a plastic fill. I suggest that you use a mix of fine sanding dust and some coarse sandings and crushed up shavings to get a spread of texture. This looks much better, non-homognious, when leveled and finished.

Alan D.

got pix?

Homeboy,

When I encountered worm holes in a guitar built with Ambrosia maple, I filled the holes after bending.
I think your concern is valid--that of the filler staining the wood under the heat of bending.
I used wood dust and CA, after sealing the area around the hole. Some holes took a second fill before they were full. And I backed the holes (inside) before filling. Little wooden patches made of the same material as the back / sides. The idea was to prevert the CA from seeping out all over the insides of the guitar.
It worked out fine, and looked nice under finish.

Good luck!

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Thanks for all of the replies everyone. I went ahead and bent the sides then filled with the dust and CA. It worked great. I appreciate everyones help. I'll post some pics of the wood tomorrow.

Homeboy

Steve, I think I am going to call my Ambrosia bore holes "Mini Sound Ports". On a serious note, I remembered your process and likewise did the bend and filling after. Thanks for your input.

Mike

Ahh, Mike, did you make a zillion little patches out of left-over maple scrap to back up the holes?
That's fun!

sk

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com