Gap filling adhesive for Tote Repair?

[Jelly]

My footprint No.5 had a split through the tote which was dubiously repaires by a previous owner with casemite[sp?] glue, which inevitably gave way today.

I set about repairing it properly by cutting a slot through the centre of both parts of the tote, and attaching with two slips of ⅛" Douglas Fir, shaped to leave the hole that the bold runs through clear.

Unfortunately the slot at the rear was marginally too tight and in driving the slip in (with a rawhide mallet) it splintered leaving it only partially in contact on one side, Does anyone have a recommendation for a strong gap filling adhesive to fill the gap left?

I considered using epoxy mixed with wood flour or glass microspheres, but my experience is that it's not flexible enough to bond wood in that way... If all else fails I may have to loosen the PVA with steam, chisel out the slip and install a new one with more care.

 

[mikebeetle]

You could use something like gorilla glue that expands, might leave a visible line though

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

Get, or make, a new handle (tote ... ugghhh!). Why waste time on something that will now be difficult to repair (because of the glues that contaminate the join)? A replacement is probably cheaper than the glue you would need to purchase. Otherwise make one - Alf did a good tutorial on this. It is simple enough. And it will make the plane "special" .... rather than remind you that the handle could come apart at any time.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Benchwayze]

Get, or make, a new handle (tote ... ugghhh!). Why waste time on something that will now be difficult to repair (because of the glues that contaminate the join)? A replacement is probably cheaper than the glue you would need to purchase. Otherwise make one - Alf did a good tutorial on this. It is simple enough. And it will make the plane "special" .... rather than remind you that the handle could come apart at any time.

Regards from Perth

Derek

+1. Quickest in the long run.

 

[Klaus Kretschmar]

+2 on making a replacement one. Using a handle template from LV might be a good idea. Good templates and detailed making instructions.

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.a ... 3262&cat=1

If you want to go with a repair, I wouldn't hesitate to use epoxy mixed with very fine wooddust. Depending on the size of the gap that has to be filled, the repair will be more or less visible in many cases however.

Klaus

 

[Paddy Roxburgh]

You could use something like gorilla glue that expands, might leave a visible line though

There is a myth that PU glues are good for gap filling. Sure the foam fills the gap but it does not offer any strength when there is a gap, indeed PVA would be better than PU. Have a look at these tests by Mathias Wandel http://woodgears.ca/joint_strength/gorilla_glue.html

If you want an adhesive that fills gaps and is flexible you would be better off with sikaflex or gripfill. I would however tend to agree that in this case a new handle is the best way to go. If you don't want to make one they can be bought quite cheaply.
Paddy

 

[woodbrains]

Hello,

Another fan of making new.

By the way, Gorrilla glue is not gap filling in the sense that woodworkers mean 'gap filling'. I have read quite a few remarks about polyurethane glue being gap filling on these forums and it is bad information. There is no bond strength with this glue if wood does not touch wood. If there is a gap, it may as well be left as a gap as far as far as this glue is concerned, polyurethane foams into the space, but the foam has no strength.

Mike.

Oops, someone just beat me to it!

 

[Paddy Roxburgh]

Mike, it's probably worth saying twice

 

[RogerP]

New handle for £3.47 including postage!

eBay item number 390858257120

 

[Jelly]

The faithful handle looks like its worth a punt at less than a fiver, though i would need to bore a new front hole in it.

The repair appears to be very strong at least, so i may just use it and see if it will hold first.

 

[Klaus Kretschmar]

The handle on Ebay seems to be one for No. 3 and No. 4 planes. I've seen that the description tells it suitable for No. 5 planes but I doubt. The base of the handle seems to be too short for a No. 5 and it lacks the hole in the toe of the base. To make clear the difference:

Klaus

 

[Vann]

I agree, a number 3-4 tote will not fit a No.4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 7 or 8 - well it will, but it will never look right.

Jimi swears by Titebond (Original IIRC). I've not bought any to try yet

Cheers, Vann.