Knots
- This topic has 22 replies, 12 voices, and was last updated 10 years ago by Dave.
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Dave, I couldn’t see the picture for some reason but I use a lot of pine in my projects and I have a lot of knots. As of yet I have not had a problem with a knot coming out or getting loose. Maybe I’ve just been lucky. I do try to avoind them in critical places but I think they give the project character.
Sandy, yes for some reason that photo is no longer here, anyway, the knot in question was large, and it was one of those knots that was still live as it was not dead/brown/black. If I recall it was around 6 inches in diameter, I cut it out of the board and tossed it.
I like knots too and as you say it gives a project character. The dark brown/black knots will eventually pop out through shrinkage which is why I always treat them now, it takes little time and gives added security. BTW this post was created about a year ago when I was prepping wood for my tool chest.
SIX inches in diameter? That is a monster knot…
I could not see Dave’s picture. I assumed we were talking about knots under 1″ or so. I was so picky about knots at first that it was really causing me problems finding suitable stock. Now I allow small <1/2″ knots in my projects. Allowing these knots is like therapy for my anal retentiveness.
I have read that a toothing iron/plane can help with the planing of knots and the surrounding grain.
So if my knots are no bigger than 1/2″, and not loose, do I have to worry about filling it with epoxy?
Scott, I think there are two kinds of knots, dead ones and live ones. Dead ones are I think the black ones and I think its kind of a common thing to treat them no matter the size since they will eventually work loose over time, we are talking a long time. IF you have ever seen old toolboxes with holes in them, knots are probably the culprit. I do not know for sure but I treat them all now if its going to be in the house. If its for small bins/boxes for rough use as in the shop/outside I don’t bother treating them.
The live knots are the ones the same colour of the surrounding wood I think, I have no idea really. My 1 x 12 pine boards had all sorts of these and I was told that they will sometimes cause problems with finish as they still will cause sap to come out.
I got tired of trying to figure it all out and now I treat everything with epoxy or crazy glue 🙂 they are smooth as glass now…
I hope someone with more knowledge will explain the proper way to deal with knots.
Maybe I’m not seeing the same problems with knots. 6″ knot is a big one. I completly panneled the inside of my house with pine boards. My wife says the knots look like alien faces… I’ve never had one fall out and it’s been hanging for 12 years with wood heating. If that don’t dry it out I don’t know what would… Just saying, if you worry about them, cut them out or treat them. I’ve never treated a knot and as far as I know, they’re all hanging tight! Now that I’ve said that I’ll probably find a bunch of them laying around the floor tomorrow….better stock up on superglue!
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