Epoxy for crack filling

[JGG]

I mixed some sawdust with five minute epoxy to fill a crack in a capsule box. The epoxy is just proud of the surface. Before I ruin the piece is it best to turn the epoxy down with a gouge or sand it smooth?

 

[Oka]

If it is totally cured either will work.

 

[Bill Clemmons]

Like Oka said. I usually use a scraper to get the bulk of the excess off first, then finish it by sanding.

 

[Jeff]

A card scraper is excellent for removing the excess epoxy and smoothing the surface.

BTW, I don't know what a capsule box is or how its made.

 

[JGG]

Capsule boxes shown below, made from firewood. I ended up sanding the epoxy at 1,200 rpm and was a little to aggressive with the first pass of 100 grit paper. Still some minor scratches even after finishing down to 400 grit. The oak surrounding the fill is smooth. I won’t be so aggressive next time.

 

[Jeff]

Capsule boxes shown below, made from firewood. I ended up sanding the epoxy at 1,200 rpm and was a little to aggressive with the first pass of 100 grit paper. Still some minor scratches even after finishing down to 400 grit. The oak surrounding the fill is smooth. I won’t be so aggressive next time.

I can't see where the epoxy fill is in your pictures. Can you point them out, please?

 

[JGG]

The cracks filled with the epoxy/sawdust blended pretty well. They were not major splits, about 1/8”. My first experience with epoxy fill on a turning.

 

[Ed Fasano]

Just my 2-cents...
I stopped attempts to match fills. I could never get a good hide. I adopted the advice of Mike Pekovich (Fine Woodworking) and go with stark contrast, i.e. black. I now use West System G-Flex epoxy with a small amount (very small) of artist pigment powder (mixed thoroughly). This is somewhat flexible marine grade epoxy and it needs overnight (at least) to cure. I've also used black India ink as a colorant, but I prefer the dry powder, as it blackens without diluting the epoxy.
Again, this is just 2-cents from a hack of a turner.

 

[JGG]

Thanks for the idea and advice. I have a collection of fine sawdust from various woods I often mix with shellac for flat surface fixes. This as my first epoxy fix and the five minute Gorilla brand was all I had. It did not provide as much working time as I would have liked. I’ll experiment with another brand like West next time. I’ll also pick up more pigment powders as they are great for matching and contrasting. Thanks again!