Filling wood cuts outs with varnish?

[monkeychunkuk]

So this may have been mentioned* before but I can't find a thread about it?

On the bottom part of machine at the front I want to cut out a shape so I can see the PC and the blue lights to glow through,

Originally I had planned to cut the shape and just put a sheet of Perspex behind it.* But I remember seeing a table made from piece of tree and they has covered it lots of varnish and filled the knot holes with varnish (I presume) , so it made some sections see through.

Has anyone done this on one of their projects and can anyone think of the best product to use?

Many thanks

Steve

[Polemicist]

You can get a plastic glass filler. Can't think of the name. My dad uses it a lot. Similar sort of crap they use to put bugs inside of. It

Is not cheap but it set much harder than varnish and last a lot longer.

That's it

Liquid Glass

[gigapig]

Can't you use a clear resin or acrylic? Thinking about it, Isuppose a clear acrylic varnish would be cheap, get yourself down to B&Q, get a small tin and test it on a scrap piece of wood.

If it's going to be thick, I be concerned with drying time, cracking and what it looks like on large areas.

Could you also add colour to it? How about a stained glass window

Sounds interesting.

[monkeychunkuk]

Cheers lads yup I plan to do test to see what it sets like it's gonna be 18 mm in depth do not sure how much I will need.hmmm not sure about the colour

[monkeychunkuk]

Hmmm varnish is cheaper and comes in a bigger tin but I wonder

What it would be like at 18mm thick ness?

Clear resin seem more for fit for the purpose but cost more and is in smaller tin and apparently smell bad ; )

[Polemicist]

LOL. Yeah it's not cheap and it is an epoxy so you bet it smells while you are using it. Needs to be very well ventilated or they may be dragging your body out of your shed.

[gigapig]

LOL. Yeah it's not cheap and it is an epoxy so you bet it smells while you are using it. Needs to be very well ventilated or they may be dragging your body out of your shed.

Good health and safety advice Sir. That stuff is evil even if you use it outside. I'd go for full hazmat suit, rubber boots and a dumb assistant. A gimp suit may also be an option, but please do all the zips up. Thanks.

[Polemicist]

A gimp suit may also be an option, but please do all the zips up.

Can he borrow yours?

As a side note the varnish in a thick layer if not dried correctly and evenly will pull away from edges.

[gigapig]

Can he borrow yours?

As soon as it's back from the cleaners, I'll ship it across.

As a side note the varnish in a thick layer if not dried correctly and evenly will pull away from edges.

We know all about shrinkage don't we.

[Polemicist]

We know all about shrinkage don't we.

The water is really cold in the beaches around here.

[gigapig]

The water is really cold in the beaches around here.

I've heard about that monster in the Aussie waters, time to give the skinny dipping a break.

And what were you saying about passing out in a shed?

Sorry derailing another thread.

[monkeychunkuk]

Can he borrow yours?

As a side note the varnish in a thick layer if not dried correctly and evenly will pull away from edges.

I planned on putting angle on my cuts out prevent it dropping/being pushed by son through.also could I not top up the gaps?

[Polemicist]

Varnish uses solvents that dry off and cause shrinkage. Personally I'd angle the cuts and then cut Lexan to fit and bolt it down.

[monkeychunkuk]

Well here's what happens with varnish

All topped up ready to dry

1 hour later

3 hours later

6 hours later

So luckily I had the receipt for varnish and took it straight back

Not sure to give im up in the idea and go with plexi or try poxy resin ???

[rfancella]

Not sure to give im up in the idea and go with plexi or try poxy resin ???

I would try Polyurethane. I used to take large wood spools, staple cardboard around the edge as a fence and just pour a can of it across. It would dry clear and smooth and make a great outdoor tabletop.

Thanks,

Ron

[monkeychunkuk]

Cheers Rob ill google it

[monkeychunkuk]

A few days later.......not the look I was going for ; (