Entry Pipe Pin Hole too big

[Benedict]

When I drilled the hole for the entry pipe, I managed to "wobble" the drill on one side so that the hole is too big as you can see in the picture.  Does any one have any suggestions on how to fix this?

Thanks in advance,
Bruce

[keweenaw]

That's what tooth picks are for!  Seriously, just make a small plug from a piece of the same wood, tap it in with some glue and then drill through from the other side.  The plug doesn't have to be too long but should fill the oval you have before you redrill.  If you do this carefully it really won't be noticeable once the stock is stained.

[Benedict]

The great thing about this forum is that you get to brain storm problems like this one.  Thanks for the suggestion.

When I make this "toothpick", is there any need to make it so the grain matches?  I can't imagine a toothpick with grain running along its axis and thus being cross grain to the stock doing anything but being very noticable when stained.

Bruce

[northmn]

It doesn't show that much.  Some of these little fix ups are really only something the builder is aware of.  In most cases they look like an irregularity in the wood.

DP

[Roger Fisher]

That's what tooth picks are for!  Seriously, just make a small plug from a piece of the same wood, tap it in with some glue and then drill through from the other side.  The plug doesn't have to be too long but should fill the oval you have before you redrill.  If you do this carefully it really won't be noticeable once the stock is stained.

Round!!! Toothpick      Have a look at the thread "smoothbore in progress"  shows a clear picture of one such fix inna rear lockbolt hole!!  Course it was a bit larger than a toothpick!

[Dale Halterman]

When I make this "toothpick", is there any need to make it so the grain matches?  I can't imagine a toothpick with grain running along its axis and thus being cross grain to the stock doing anything but being very noticeable when stained.

Yes, generally you should try to match the grain. When I rough out a stock, I save large pieces prom the various areas of the stock and mark them for orientation. That way, if I need to make a patch, I have a scrap from the same general area that I can line up so the grain matches.

However, from your picture it looks like the patch will be in a stripe which will take stain darker anyway, so end grain might work just as well.

Dale H

[George F.]

You can get a perfect match, use a fine point stain pen, like a magic marker. But for that, I wouldn't be to concerned.   ...Geo.