SpankySmith Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 I have some old, antique textile bobbins I've been sitting on for years looking for a use for them - I'm attaching a similar photo I found online. I want to cut these in half and get two garden tool handles out of each one. Problem is, they're hollow! Any suggestions for what I could use as filler for them that would later allow me to insert the shaft of a forged garden tool? It would have to be some type of filler that is solid enough to later allow drilling for a handle... something that won't crack or pull away from the wood... I'm kinda' at a loss? I REALLY want to use mine for garden tool handles, they have a beautiful patina. They are slightly tapered, so I don't think I could just insert a round dowel in them. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candidquality Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 plenty of steel putties now. might cost you $4 to fill in each handle, but will hold up to the abuse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 Bondo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpankySmith Posted June 26, 2014 Author Share Posted June 26, 2014 Thomas, I can never tell when you're serious or not! :D But if Bondo would work that'd be a better option than the JBWeld I already have in my shop, 'cause it only comes in little tubes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 Wood puddy. You may want to stabilize the wood before filling the hollow center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 I second Thomas on the bondo. Contained in the hollow, that would be really tough stuff. I have used it as *glue* to fix a garden rake because I was out of JB. Used a couple years until the handle finally broke (not in the glued joint but from accidentally stepping on instead of over it. :rolleyes: ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 Bondo was what we used when I worked in a custom wood shop. It's major downcheck is the colour but in your use that will be hidden! (also the smell---please follow safety instructions) It tends to be a lot cheaper than "specialty" stuff and we have a good runway on how to work it and how it lasts. In knifemaking we bedded in epoxy but they were high end items and buying and discarding epoxy per blade was a minor cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arftist Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 Bondo shrinks. Thickened West System epoxy would be the best. No throwing away the remainders, a kit comes with a set of pumps to pre-measure, and has a (seemingly) infinite shelf life. Not cheap, like Bondo, but in the category of "you get what you pay for". Has lots of other uses in the blacksmith shop and home too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neg Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 Glue a dowel into them and just drill out what you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 nothing in the knife making section on handles works huh ? bummer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 Acraglas a dowel into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweany Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 sell em on ebay buy good handle material Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 IIRC these bobbins tend to be made from dogwood or hard rock maple and so are a good handle material and so a much better creative re-use than using RR spikes for "knives" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 Only getting $1 yea on EBay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawnJockey Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 I'm also a big fan of West Epoxy. They also have various fillers that you mix in with the epoxy that fill and give more strength. They used to mail out a printed manual but I am sure it is available on line. I think West epoxy and high density filler might do the trick. Check Jamestown Distributors and West Marine for the best pricing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anvil Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 hardwood dowel and glue it works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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