I have a section of tree trunk that I'd like to turn into a walking stick, and learn/practice some carving skill on. It is about 58" long and about 2" diameter at the handle end tapering to about half that at the tip. I think it is a trunk from an American Dogwood. Several large cracks, running longitudinally, developed during the drying process. I'd like to fill these with something that would harden and add to the looks of the wood. I intend to sand the entire stick before proceeding to carving, the filler would be injected before sanding.

I'm thinking I'd like the looks of an amber/resin-type product rather than anything like the so-called "wood filler" putty-like products intended to repair scratches in furniture.

I'm thinking an epoxy might give satisfactory results, or maybe even something like hot glue. Anybody have any hints for me?

Something like a Milliput epoxy putty?

If it cracked during drying, it will keep cracking unless you use something to stabilize the weakened areas. Wood filler & hot glue are a waste of time.
Epoxy is about the only thing I'd use. You want something thin enough & with a long work time to soak in.
It will be messy & a pain in the ass - multiple applications with long cure times. It will likely not carve well - sand or turn on a lathe maybe, but I bet it will be too hard to carve nicely.

quote:

Originally posted by snidera:
If it cracked during drying, it will keep cracking unless you use something to stabilize the weakened areas. Wood filler & hot glue are a waste of time.
Epoxy is about the only thing I'd use. You want something thin enough & with a long work time to soak in.
It will be messy & a pain in the ass - multiple applications with long cure times. It will likely not carve well - sand or turn on a lathe maybe, but I bet it will be too hard to carve nicely.

And likely a vacuum chamber to pull the bubbles out.

My woodworking is small… Knife handles… But I’ve bought stabilized wood and I know how they do it.

If it were me I’d look for a better stick of wood… But if you’ve got your heart set on it, have at it.

I see colored epoxy projects in wood on YouTube all the time.

A good quality superglue. Medium thin. Dust in some brass dust from a belt sander. Let it cure. Then add more + more dust. Cure. Repeat.
The glue will be strong enough, the metal will give color and strength.

I’d try the CA (super) glue or west system epoxy. You can sand and mix in the sawdust for color or tint the epoxy if you want. If you use epoxy you can use silicone caulk to build a dam around the crack before pouring it in. A small suction cup works well to force the glue in. I’d try one of those before getting another stick - you’ll learn something even if it doesn’t work.

JB Weld, after sanding it will take an alcohol based stain like Fiebing's brown leather dye. I've mixed brown with a little bit of red to make a nice reddish brown colored dye.