Fixing Splits

[willcamper]

Hi all. After some advice.

 

I have some 2" boards (elm) that have started to split while drying.

Once they have dried what is the best way to try and fix them?

 

I have seen a Dutchman joint video on youtube but not sure if this will work as they seemed to be doing it for decoration.

 

I have a pile of sapele off cuts and thought these would be a nice contrast.

Question is, would this joint with the use of several sash clamps knit the split together?

 

Any advice very welcome.

[TobyAllen]

Thanks for that. I've just spent the last 2 hour watching youtube tutorials on bowtie and dutchman joints. They look nice and funky.

 

I'd go for it and post the pictures up here.

[willcamper]

I did the same for well over an hour.

Do you think they go the full depth of the wood?

I'm just wondering if it would work if the wood was clamped tight before cutting out the shape in the board, then hammering in the bow tie shape.

Guess best to practise on a wrecked board first I suppose

[54gka]

I make rustic cake stands and use the bowtie butterfly repair to great effect.I sit them just below the surface and two part glue them in.As soon as i see a split i put a ratchet strap round for a few months.

Kev

 

GKA Garden Services - Southampton Garden and Tree Services

[Ian Leach]

The bowtie are to help it stop splitting any further, I usually go down between 1/2 & 3/4 of the way.

[TobyAllen]

Can you do it without glueing?

 

 

Or is glue just simpler?

[willcamper]

Firstly that table looks great.

Do you use them before the timber is fully dry or wait?

[Ian Leach]

I've always waited until dry, but 90% of my timber is brought in air or kiln dried anyway. I've always used glue, the table above is my first time trying them.

[willcamper]

Whats the best way to make the inserts?

Have you rounded them off with a belt sander?

[Ian Leach]

I just experiment, I did find leaving them that bit thicker so they protrude from the table then sand down once glue was dry easier too.

I guess if the woods wet then it would shrink tighter around the bowtie , but also might push it out depending on shrinkage.