How To Make Wood Filler Without Sawdust (A DIY guide)

For any DIY enthusiast, wood filler is a must-have. It’s perfect for filling minor cracks and holes in wood, as well as smoothing uneven surfaces. The only issue is that sawdust is one of the key constituents in most wood fillers. If you don’t have any sawdust on hand, or if you only need a small amount of filler and don’t want to wait for it to dry, this can be a pain.

You’ve got a piece of wood that has to be filled, but you’re out of sawdust. What are your options? knowing how to make wood filler without sawdust is the only option.

You’ve undoubtedly seen a hundred or more DIY wood filler videos emphasizing the importance of sawdust in the process. Did you know, though, that you don’t have to use sawdust to make wood filler? It is possible, and that is the goal. In this article, we’ll go through how to make wood filler without sawdust.

How To Make Wood Filler Without Sawdust

How to make filler without sawdust

Materials and tools required

  • Wood Glue
  • Corn starch
  • Petroleum jelly
  • Spoon for mixing measuring cup
  • Bowl for mixing
  • Plastic protector
  • Gloves
  • Paper towels
  • Plastic wrapper
  • Worksurface

Step 1: Pour and measure

When making wood filler without sawdust, the first step is to pour the correct amount of cornstarch and wood glue into a mixing bowl in the same ratio. To avoid getting wood glue trapped in the measuring cup, make sure you measure and pour the corn starch first. The cornstarch will be used to replace the sawdust.

 

Step 2: Mix the ingredients properly in a mixing bowl.

Once you’ve got your cornstarch and wood glue in the mixing bowl, stir them together with your mixing spoon. Continue mixing until the mixture resembles cookie dough.

After you’ve finished mixing, scoop up the cornstarch-wood glue mixture and place it on your work table’s surface.

 

Step 3: Knead the dough

You’ll need to knead the mixture like bread dough or convert it into dough at this point. Continue until it no longer sticks to your fingers or palm.

 

Step 4: Pour in the petroleum jelly.

It’s now time to break out the petroleum jelly. If you’re using a 1:1 ratio of wood glue and corn starch, add about two teaspoons of petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly removes the stickiness and smooths it out.

Work the petroleum jelly into the formed compound with your hands to obtain the smooth texture you desire, and check periodically to ensure that the dough-like compound is not crumbly on the interior. It should have the ability to stretch like “Taffy.” Keep in mind that excess petroleum jelly can cause the cure to be delayed.

 

Step 5: Place it in a plastic bag after wrapping it in plastic.

Take your plastic wrap and completely wrap the compound in it. Please place it in a plastic bag after wrapping it and make sure that all of the air is removed before sealing the bag. Allow it to sit for 24 hours after that.

After you’ve completed the project, wipe down your tools and workspace using paper towels. This will keep the wood glue from drying out and becoming extremely difficult to clean after it has hardened. Remove the putty from the plastic bag once it has cured and reheat it before using it.

 

Wood Filler Substitute- Alternatives to Using Wood Putty and Wood Filler

We’ve compiled a list of materials that can be used in place of wood filler and wood putty.

  1. Painter’s Whiting and Chalk Dust

Calcium carbonate is found in chalk dust and painter’s whiting, making them good wood putty substitutes. To assure the project’s success, you’ll only need:

  • Paint (similar color to the wood)
  • Linseed oil
  • Knife for putty

i. Painting

On a non-stick surface, pour the needed amount of chalk dust or painters whiting, then a small drop of paint into the middle. Mix them together with your putty knife until you get a putty-like product.

Take the putty-like compound and knead it with your fingers after it has formed. Once the kneading is finished, the created putty can be used for its intended purpose.

ii. Linseed Oil

Linseed oil and chalk dust can also be used to make wood filler alternative. Simply pour the linseed oil into a mixing bowl and then add the chalk dust to the same bowl. Stir the liquid with the putty knife, adding the chalk dust in small amounts until it has a putty-like consistency.

For nail holes, fillers made from chalk dust or painters whiting work well.

 

2. Using shellac

Fill up the Gaps, Holes, and Cracks

The wood filler is simple to use. Simply fill the hole, crack, or gap with it. Because shellac is sticky, use disposable gloves. This simple DIY wood filler is ideal for filling nail holes, cracks, and gaps in wood. DIY wood filler gap filled

i. The Wood Filler should be sanded.

Shellac can make wood stain-resistant or stain significantly lighter than wood that hasn’t been treated with it. If any shellac squeezes out while filling holes with your DIY wood filler, make sure you sand the surrounding wood well before sanding the wood filler.

ii. Stain

Like the thread, the DIY wood filler dyes slightly darker than the surrounding wood and blends in almost completely. This DIY wood filler is ideal for filling nail holes, fractures, and gaps in wood.

Have you been persuaded that making your own wood filler is a must? It’s simple to manufacture, sand, and most importantly, it will match your furniture project. Stop wasting money on incompatible store-bought wood fillers! Make your own wood filler at home!

 

3. Drywall Mud

The drywall mud compound used in home walls is another excellent wood filler choice. Learn how to utilize dry mud as wood filler in your next woodworking project.

How To Make Wood Filler Without Sawdust

Materials and Tools Required:

  • Bucket
  • Putty knife
  • Drywall compound
  • Sandpaper, 240 grit
  • Paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Stir stick
  1. Combine and stir everything together.

Fill the bucket halfway with water and add the necessary amount of drywall compound. The amount of water to use is specified in commercially available drywall compositions. Stir until the ingredients come together in a paste.

2. Fill the hole with the mixture and let it dry overnight.

Once you’ve created a paste-like compound, all you have to do now is distribute the drywall mud compound across the damaged surface of the wood with the putty knife.

Once the drywall mud has been spread, wipe away any excess with a moist towel to prevent it from drying out and becoming difficult to remove.

3. Sand the Wood

Sand the wood with fine 240 grit sandpaper now that the drywall mud is set. To avoid scratch marks on the wood’s surface, sand with the grain, not against it. To ensure that the sanding is done properly, check for high spots with your bare hands.

4. Begin painting

After you’ve finished repairing and sanding the surface, you’ll need to paint over it. Most of the time, you’ll need to give the entire wood a complete makeover.

 

Other ways to make wood filler without sawdust

If you’ve ever attempted to make wood filler, you know how important sawdust is. There are a couple additional ways to produce your own wood filler if you don’t have any sawdust on hand or don’t want to use it.

  • Using flour and water is one option.

Simply mix one part flour with two parts water until you have a thick enough consistency to roll into a ball. To help it set, sprinkle it with a pinch of salt. If you’re going to use this mixture, let it dry for 24 hours before utilizing it.

  • White glue and sand are other alternatives.

Mix one part white glue with two parts sand until you have a thick enough consistency to roll into a ball. If necessary, you can as well add a little amount of water. Allow 24 hours for this mixture to dry before using.

Conclusion: How To Make Wood Filler Without Sawdust

There are many reasons why you might not want to use sawdust as wood filler in woodworking projects. Perhaps you’re working on a project that will be painted or sealed, and you don’t want sawdust to contaminate the finish. Or perhaps you just don’t have any sawdust on hand and need to complete a project swiftly.

Sawdust is a great filler because it is inexpensive and easy to find. However, some people may not want to use it because of the mess it can create. In any case, there are a variety of alternatives to sawdust for making wood filler.

You can make your own out of any materials you have on hand in your workplace or at home. With the procedures outlined above, you won’t have to go through the time-consuming process of making sawdust from the beginning. Making wood filler is a relatively easy process, but the most important part is to use the right ingredients and follow the steps correctly.