Gluing edges with burn marks

[Chris Daigh]

I have some mahogany that I have cut a mitre along and it has some pretty good burn marks. There is no way to sand it, it is 1/4 thick. Is this ok to glue.

[Mark Singer]

It should be smooth and mate well with the other piece....I would plane it...both edges.

[Chris Daigh]

It is very smooth and the pieces(for a lampshade) fit together very good. I guess does the burn cause any problems with the glue.

[Keith Christopher]

Yes the burn can cause adhesion problems with the glue joint. As Mark said hit them with a plane and you should be ok.



Keith

[Chris Padilla]

Burn marks are normally very, very smooth. The reason they are so smooth is that you've basically burnished the wood...glue will not soak into the fibers because of this and you will have a failed joint.

I've often wondered if purposed burning/burnishing wood would make for nice smooth runners for a drawer in lieu of waxing. I think the burn would last a long time, too.