Technique Tip: Two Ways to Fix a Crack in Oak

Today's quick fix: a lovely oak drop leaf trolley (or dining table, depending how you use it) with a crack running straight through the timber.Plenty of people would see that and walk away. But the integrity of the piece isn't the problem here. Everything else is solid, and being oak, it's not going to split any further. This is an aesthetic fix, nothing more, and there are two simple ways to do it.Option 1: Sawdust and wood glueThis is the messier, more organic option. Grab some fine dust (mine came straight out of the vacuum after sanding, so it's nearly all wood) and mix it with interior wood glue to make a paste. Fill the crack, let it go off, and it's sealed.The catch: if you don't get the mix quite right, it can dry very dark and look a bit translucent. On a hidden spot, that's no big deal. On a piece where the look really matters, I reach for option two.Option 2: Wood fillerHonest confession: here in New Zealand, I've found most wood fillers just don't match the timber very well. I've mixed them, mangled them together and everything in between, and still haven't found a perfect match.So I go slightly darker on purpose, because this piece is getting stained once we're done. A few tips: Wedge it in firmly. Use your finger, or a spatula if you'd rather not. Work fast. This stuff goes off quickly and dries rock hard. Fill before you sand. That way the full sand of the whole piece blends everything together. Leave it slightly proud of the surface so you've got something to sand back flush. Don't miss the ends. Follow the crack all the way out. What you end up with is a streak through the grain that looks natural, even a bit interesting, and really isn't a problem.Which one do I use?I've tried both recently. For a solid, cleaner-looking result, I prefer the filler. But if you're willing to put in a bit more time and experiment on a few rough pieces first, the sawdust-and-glue method gives a more natural finish and is well worth learning.Got a cracked top of your own you're not sure about? Drop a photo or question in the comments and I'll take a look.

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