Using Oak Plugs

Buck Turgidson wrote: > I need to fasten a piece of oak by drilling a 3/8" hole, screwing it, and > then cover using an oak face-grain plug. The plugs are just barely tight > enough for the hole. >

I wouldn't.

I'd probably use varnish as an adhesive when you install the plugs.

Lew

I wouldn't either. Even if they swelled enough, they'd just shrink back down once they dried. I'd get a Veritas snug-plug cutter (or ask a nice wRECker to use one of theirs) to cut some appropriate tapered plugs that will fit tightly, or drill your initial hole with a slightly undersized drill bit (if it's not too late). Good luck, Andy

Sure, then when they dry out you will be back in the same position before soaking the plugs. Buy a tapered plug cutter.

Maybe I am missing something here, but isn't that what glue is for?

If they are tight enough, even if barely so, what is the problem? Just pop them in with a little glue.

Bad idea. If they are already tight enough, soaking them will swell them, making them too tight. to fit them in the hole, they will either have to be sanded or otherwise cut down, or the fibers will be crushed in forcing them into the hole, and when it dries out and shrinks back, it will be longer be tight enough in the hole.

^^ "no"

^^

huh? "It no will be longer" isn't any better.

Sorry. In fixed pitch, I was underlining the first "be".

"it will no longer be tight enough in the hole."

He is also ending up with a noticeable ring around the plug. With a tight or tapered plug the ring almost disappears.

A reasonable assumption. He said they were just barely tight enough, but I imagine he meant that they were not quite tight enough. Otherwise, what's the problem?

They will turn black!!!!

JR