On the subject of plugs. Look about and see if you can find something called a "tapered plug cutter" It takes a drill press, and a piece of teak to use the cutter though. The cutter cuts a plug with a slight taper and flare at the top. This really helps with getting a good fit. And sometimes can even make up for the edges of the hole not being crisp. You do have to be carefull to not drive them home with excessive force though. They are essentially a wedge! A very subtle one though. When using a tapered plug it's pretty easy to plug something and not even leave a glue line (at the surface where you see it, down below there will be a more proper fit).
Last boat project I did I just ordered some plugs from west marine, and I had been used to cutting my own (used to work in a furniture shop) Afterwards I had wished I went out and just bought the $20 plug cutter.
Pre finishing exterior teak??
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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S/V Necessity
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Oswego John
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Plugs
Hi Mark and all,
As you read this, there is a sale on plug cutters going on at Harbor Freight Supply.
http://www.harborfreight.com
In the space provided on the upper left, type in Plug Cutter. Then click GO.
The set of eight cutters in a wooden case (can you believe it) are on sale for $9.95. The various cutters are for straight cuts and also taper cuts. They range in size for different diameter plugs, 1/4", 3/8", etc.
I bought this set many years ago and have been using the cutters, mostly 3/8" tapered, with no complaints whatever.
I have always maintained that around a boat shop, there is no such thing as "scrap" teak or mahogany. There is always a use for the cut off pieces, ie: making your own plugs. Rather than buy commercial, ready made plugs, if you use plugs cut from the same wood that is being fastened, the match is so much better. If you uas a lot of plugs, you save lots of $$$ too.
Sometimes, when fitting a tapered plug in a screw hole, the fit is poor and the plug wobbles a bit in the hole. Some people glue the ill fitting plug in place and later cut off the top and sand flat.
Better still, cut off some of the BOTTOM of the plug and let the plug sink deeper into the hole. As the plug sits deeper, it becomes wider and will fill the void better.
Good luck,
O J
As you read this, there is a sale on plug cutters going on at Harbor Freight Supply.
http://www.harborfreight.com
In the space provided on the upper left, type in Plug Cutter. Then click GO.
The set of eight cutters in a wooden case (can you believe it) are on sale for $9.95. The various cutters are for straight cuts and also taper cuts. They range in size for different diameter plugs, 1/4", 3/8", etc.
I bought this set many years ago and have been using the cutters, mostly 3/8" tapered, with no complaints whatever.
I have always maintained that around a boat shop, there is no such thing as "scrap" teak or mahogany. There is always a use for the cut off pieces, ie: making your own plugs. Rather than buy commercial, ready made plugs, if you use plugs cut from the same wood that is being fastened, the match is so much better. If you uas a lot of plugs, you save lots of $$$ too.
Sometimes, when fitting a tapered plug in a screw hole, the fit is poor and the plug wobbles a bit in the hole. Some people glue the ill fitting plug in place and later cut off the top and sand flat.
Better still, cut off some of the BOTTOM of the plug and let the plug sink deeper into the hole. As the plug sits deeper, it becomes wider and will fill the void better.
Good luck,
O J