stainable wood filler

[breadstick]

I didn't find much in a search, but does anyone have suggestions on a good looking stainable wood filler?  I have a project coming up that I'll need to nail gun together and stain and I don't want the nail holes to show if possible.

[Bill WIlson]

I've read good things about Timbermate Water-Based Wood Filler.

 

I like to use the wax "crayons" from Minwax.  They apply easily and holes can be filled after finishing.  What I like even better is my 23 gauge pin nailer that leaves a hole so small that most of the time it doesn't even need filled.

 

Bottom line is that regardless of what you use, nothing I've found really blends perfectly and makes the hole "invisible".  All fillers are a compromise, to a certain degree.  Use the one that is the easiest and cheapest, which is why I like the Minwax crayons.

[amazingkevin]

I've read good things about Timbermate Water-Based Wood Filler.

 

I like to use the wax "crayons" from Minwax.  They apply easily and holes can be filled after finishing.  What I like even better is my 23 gauge pin nailer that leaves a hole so small that most of the time it doesn't even need filled.

 

Bottom line is that regardless of what you use, nothing I've found really blends perfectly and makes the hole "invisible".  All fillers are a compromise, to a certain degree.  Use the one that is the easiest and cheapest, which is why I like the Minwax crayons.

a box of crayons sounds like a real good idea Thanks!

[Scrolling Steve]

I also use  a 23 gauge pin nailer when i need anything more than glue...very tiny hole !....a paste made of wood glue and sawdust from the same project gets close as anything.....Good luck!

[oldhudson]

I've tried Elmer's and Durham's but neither work well with stains. I've mixed dyes with the Durham's to help getting the color. Hey it's part of the challenge of woodworking.

[bkrajnak]

I always use fine sawdust from sanding in the type of wood you are using, mix it with glue and fill in the hole you wont even be able to tell once it dries and you give it a final sanding.

[Bill WIlson]

The problem I've found with most "stainable" fillers is that they can leave a tell tale halo around the patched area, especially in open grained woods like red oak.  The filler gets deep in the pores of the wood and is very difficult to sand out completely.  Filler almost always absorbs stain differently than the surface grain of the surrounding wood, so the patch becomes as obvious or more so than the unfilled hole would have been.  This is less of an issue on closed grain woods, like maple.  My advice is if you are using any filler, prior to applying a finish, be careful not to get it spread too far beyond the patch area and then sand thoroughly.

[WayneMahler]

I very rarely use any type of wood filler. When I needed it I used water based but mixed in some dye or stain with it before applying. Mixing saw dust with glue even if you add the stain or dye then apply, seems to not accept the top finish the same as the rest of the work. Careful application and sanding helps a lot.