Timbermate falls out

[JupiterCreek]

Hi

I'm using Timbermate as a filler on pine, and I've found that it doesn't key particularly well. For example, if you accidentally tip your router bit when rounding over and try to fill the resultant ding the Timbermate just falls out, regardless of how long it's been there. I've tried really knifing it in but it still won't key to the wood. Should I be roughing up the area with coarse sndpaper, or slightly moistening the Timbermate to make it less like rubber?

Thanks!

[bsrlee]

If your Timbermate is very rubbery, it may indeed be too dry. Put a teaspoon or so of water on top & leave it for a day - you will find it soaks in. I have added a fair bit of water to mine - about a tablespoon in a 'large' container, but I had to mix it in. It still dries fairly quickly & doesn't fall out.

If the ding is very shallow it may also be a problem getting something for the putty to 'key' to, & I'm not sure that sanding will improve things. You may be better off with a couple of thin coats of very wet putty.

Lots of luck :)

[leighd]

for thin cracks you could also scrap it a bit deeper with a chisel so the filler can hold better. Also i think plastibond is alot better than timbermate. It isnt very expensive and you just need to buy the right colouring to add for different types of wood. It dries harder ad wont fall out and i have used it to fill very small cracks in jarrah burl.

[leighd]

for thin cracks you could also scrap it a bit deeper with a chisel so the filler can hold better. Also i think plastibond is alot better than timbermate. It isnt very expensive and you just need to buy the right colouring to add for different types of wood. It dries harder ad wont fall out and i have used it to fill very small cracks in jarrah burl.

[Ivan in Oz]

< SNIP >

If the ding is very shallow it may also be a problem getting something for the putty to 'key' to, & I'm not sure that sanding will improve things. You may be better off with a couple of thin coats of very wet putty.

Lots of luck :)

I'm thinking the Keying is the issue.
Even to drill some [2-3] V. small holes under where the filler is going into.

If it is quite large, even to put a screw into the hole to give it the head as a key.
[With the head under the finished surface of course]

Desperate times require desperate actions.

Count