Design Opportunity - What are my options?

[Glen Blanchard]

During a rough turning of a vase this morning, I encountered quite a few worm holes (short tunnels to be more exact). If they were more widespread I'd leave them as is, but I am afraid they will look more like a mistake and less like character. So I am looking for a way to fill them in. Lots of folks use turquoise, but I don't have any on hand. How might transtint (perhaps, amber) dyed epoxy look?

Other suggestions?

[Steve Schlumpf]

Glen,

I like to leave worm holes because I feel they add character to the piece. I have seen some filled pieces that look good but most - in my opinion - look like an attempt to fix a problem. Any chance of a couple of photos? Would be much easier to offer constructive advice.

[Glen Blanchard]

Here are 3. As you can see, the worm holes are only visible from certain viewing perspectives. I wish there were more and that they were more spread out.

[Paul Williams]

Glen, I think I would fill those with sawdust and glue. They are going to show no matter what you do. If the piece had more contrasting grain patterns or dark spots, I would either use coffee grounds and glue or leave the holes alone. However, if your vase is going to stay a light color I think you should try to minimize the holes by matching the wood. Just my 2 cents worth. It's a large piece, I don't think a few holes will detract at all.

I did try drilling out the black edge of some holes a few years back and thencut plugs with similar grin. It looked OK from a distance, but looked like a patch when youi noticed the plugs. I think it would have been better to just accept the holes.

[Jay Jolliffe]

I really don't know about what to do with that but I have to ask do you actually work in that shop in the pics.....The only day mine was that clean was when I finished building it & before I moved it...Most of the time mine is a tip...

[Robert Henrickson]

They're likely to be evident even with color matching, since the grain will highlight them. Might as well make them a 'feature' rather than a 'bug'(!), and fill them with coffee grounds. That said, whenever I find bug holes/tunnels, I clean them out and leave them open. They're part of that wood.

[Don Nicholas]

You had suggested, you wish there were more of the holes. Could you possibly "add" some more holes using a Dremel tool. Experiment on a scrap using various cutters.
Just a thought

[Glen Blanchard]

I really don't know about what to do with that but I have to ask do you actually work in that shop in the pics.....The only day mine was that clean was when I finished building it & before I moved it...Most of the time mine is a tip...

The pics were taken at a good angle. :D

[Eric Gourieux]

I would either leave the holes or make more as was suggested. If you want to fill them, I'd lean more to using coffee grounds or other contrasting material.

[Bob Bergstrom]

If you fill them, I suggest not filling them flush with the surface. Leave the fill a little short but with a few peaks protruding above the surface. Sand the peaks and add a darker color into the void, but not flush. This really adds demension to the hole and looks more natural.

[Bernie Weishapl]

I would leave them. I always do. I find when I try to fill them and match the wood or use contrast filler it just looks like you are trying to fix a mistake.

[Marc Himes]

Another vote for leaving them as they are. To me they do not detract at all from the piece.