Can wood filler be drilled?
Content
In this article, you will get a clear idea of whether wood filler can or cannot be drilled.
Have you ever had to drill into an area of wood filler to make a hole for a screw? In this situation, you may be afraid of damaging the wood filler. And your concern is quite reasonable. As a handyman, I have come across this problem several times, and in this article, I will give you some valuable tips for drilling wood filler.
As a general rule, you can drill into the wood filler until it is completely dry and hardened. Otherwise, you will create a crack in the wood filler. Multi-purpose wood fillers and two-component epoxy wood fillers prevent cracking during drilling. In addition, you must always consider the depth of the hole to be drilled.
I'll go into more detail in my article below.
A little about wood fillers
Before finding the answer to the question of whether wood filler can be drilled, you need to know about wood filler.
Wood filler is handy for filling holes, cracks and dents in wood. After pouring, you can level the surface. It is a must-have item in every jack-of-all-trades backpack.
Quick-Tip: Wood filler combines a filler and a binder. They have a putty texture and come in a variety of colors.
Can wood filler be drilled?
Yes, you can drill into wood filler after it has dried and cured. Never drill into wet wood filler. This can lead to cracks in the wood filler. In addition, depending on the type of wood filler, you can drill wood filler without hesitation. Some types of wood fillers are not suitable for any kind of drilling. You will get a better idea after the next section.
Various types of wood filler
As I mentioned earlier, there are different types of filler for different types of wood. I will explain them in this section, including the types that are best for drilling.
Simple wood filler
This simple wood filler, also known as wood putty, can quickly and easily fill cracks, holes and dents in wood. However, if you are looking for a quality wood filler, then you will not find it here.
important: Drilling plain wood putty is not recommended. Due to the softness of simple wood fillers, they will begin to crack when drilled. Or the wood filler may break into small pieces.
Two-component epoxy putties for wood
These epoxy wood fillers are made from resins. They are able to create strong and solid fillers. When using epoxy putties on wood, two coats should be applied; undercoat and second coat.
Once dry, these epoxy fillers are very stable and do not expand or contract in the wood. In addition, they are able to retain insects and moisture.
Epoxy wood putty is the best type of putty for drilling. They can hold screws and nails in place without creating cracks.
Fillers for outdoor woodwork
These outdoor wood fillers are best suited for filling outdoor wood surfaces. Due to outdoor use, these fillers are waterproof and can hold paint, polish, and stain.
After drying and curing, outdoor fillers are suitable for drilling.
Multipurpose wood fillers
As the name suggests, these wood fillers are versatile. They have the same qualities as epoxy resins and putties for exterior woodwork. In addition, you can use these fillers even in winter. With quick fixes and drying options, you can apply them to wood exteriors.
Due to the hardness, you can drill multi-purpose wood fillers without any problems.
Types of wood fillers suitable for drilling
Here is a simple diagram that represents the above section.
| Type of wood filler | Drilling (Yes/No) |
| Simple fillers for wood | No |
| Epoxy putties for wood | Yes |
| Fillers for outdoor woodwork | Yes |
| Multipurpose wood fillers | Yes |
Hole drilling depth
When drilling putty on wood, the depth of the hole should be taken into account. For example, the depth of the hole will vary depending on the type of wood. Here is a chart showing the hole depth.
| Hole Drilling Depth (inch) | Wood type |
| 0.25 | Large solid wood pieces such as oak |
| 0.5 | Medium hard wood products such as fir |
| 0.625 | Medium hard wood pieces such as cherry |
| 1 | Conifers such as cedar |
It's always best if you can follow the recommended depth when drilling into wood filler. Otherwise, your entire project may go to waste.
How to drill wood fillers
As you can imagine, there are three types of wood fillers that can be drilled without worrying about cracks. But do you know how to drill them? Well, I'm going to give you some simple steps here. But first, you need to know how to properly apply wood fillers, and I'll cover that too.
Things You'll Need
- Suitable filler for wood
- Potholder fabric
- Sandpaper
- sealer
- Putty knife
- Paint or stain
- Nails or screws
- Electric drill
- Drill
Step 1 - Prepare the Surface
Before applying putty on wood, you should prepare the surface that you will putty on. So, remove the peeling paint or stain. Also, get rid of any loose pieces of wood around the fill area.
Step 2 - Sanding
Take your sandpaper and sand down the rough edges in the fill area. After that, use a damp cloth to remove dust and debris from the sanding process.
important: Let the wood surface dry before moving on to the next step.
Step 3 - Apply Wood Putty to the Screw Holes
Use a spatula and start applying wood putty. Cover the edges first and then move on to the stuffing area. Remember to apply a little more wood filler than required for the hole. It will come in handy in case of shrinkage. Be sure to close all screw holes.
Step 4 - Let dry
Now wait for the wood filler to dry. For some wood fillers, the drying process may take longer. And some have it shorter. For example, this can take from 20 minutes to several hours, depending on the type of wood filler. (1)
Note: Be sure to check the drying time on the instructions on the wood litter container.
After the drying process, use sandpaper around the edges of the fill area. If necessary, apply paint, stain or polish to the fill area. (2)
Step 5 - Start Drilling
Drilling wood filler will not be difficult if the details of filling and drying are done correctly. Also, the wood filler must be suitable for drilling, and the maximum drilling depth should be taken into account. Here are some valuable tips for drilling wood fillers.
- Start the drilling process with a small drill and check the fill area first.
- It's always best to create a pilot hole first. Creating a pilot hole will help you properly guide the screw or nail.
- If using epoxy putty, dry it for at least 24 hours.
How to check the strength of wood filler in a screw hole?
There is a simple and easy test for this. First, drill a nail or screw into the wood filler. Then put a weight on the screw and see if the putty cracks on the wood or not.
Take a look at some of our articles below.
- Which drill bit is best for porcelain stoneware
- How to make a hole in a tree without a drill
- How to drill a hole in wood without a drill
Recommendations
(1) drying process – https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/
engineering / drying process
(2) sandpaper - https://www.grainger.com/know-how/equipment-information/kh-sandpaper-grit-chart
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