Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler

[semenza]

  I have been using Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler - Max , Interior / Exterior . Trying to buy more but they seem to have changed it or at least changed the name. Does anyone know what the new product name is or if Elmer's has actually changed the product?

Seth

 

[Scarpia]

I had the same issue a while back, unsure of the exact version, but it seemed to be gritty and would not sand smooth. I switched to the brand Timbermate- from Australia, available at Woodcraft and Amazon etc. Try it, you will never use Elmers again. More expensive though.

 

[bobfog]

If it's available to you in the US, OSMO wood filler is something I've recently started using and am having excellent success with it... you know on scrap pieces, for giggles, incase I ever made a mistake in real life.  [scratch chin]

 

[Stone Message]

If it's available to you in the US, OSMO wood filler is something I've recently started using and am having excellent success with it... you know on scrap pieces, for giggles, incase I ever made a mistake in real life.  [scratch chin]

You can drill and screw into the Osmo water based fillers after they have gone hard.

Peter

 

[anthonyz]

I have been using the Elmer's for a couple of years now for certain projects (Painted projects), haven't seen the name change, but I get mine at Lowes, as I haven't seen it at Home Depot. I do like it reconstitutes with water like timbermate, so no waste, I only use it when it will be painted over, otherwise timbermate is my go to.

 

[semenza]

I have seen that the gritty texture is one of the complaints in several places. It hasn't bothered me and I have not had a smoothness problem. But I could see where that might be more of a problem if spraying the paint.

Of the fillers I have tried I actually liked it the best. I've tried Famo (didn't like it but don't remember why), the Elmer's and others in tubes (can't get it out of the tube), the ones with "Real Wood" (don't like the texture, saw dust, or fibers).

I just used the current Interior only Elmer's and it is harder to get into small holes.

I do like that the one I had been using just needs a couple drops of water to reconstitute or thin.

I will have to try the Timbermate or OSMO.

Thanks,

  Seth

 

[anthonyz]

This is the Elmers I have. Never found it too gritty. Sands completely smooth.

 

[semenza]

This is the Elmers I have. Never found it too gritty. Sands completely smooth.

Yup, that's the Interior only version that I just tried. The one I liked better was in the same type of container and has a fine grittiness. Interior / Exterior.

Seth

 

[leakyroof]

I have seen that the gritty texture is one of the complaints in several places. It hasn't bothered me and I have not had a smoothness problem. But I could see where that might be more of a problem if spraying the paint.

Of the fillers I have tried I actually liked it the best. I've tried Famo (didn't like it but don't remember why), the Elmer's and others in tubes (can't get it out of the tube), the ones with "Real Wood" (don't like the texture, saw dust, or fibers).

I just used the current Interior only Elmer's and it is harder to get into small holes.

I do like that the one I had been using just needs a couple drops of water to reconstitute or thin.

I will have to try the Timbermate or OSMO.

Thanks,

  Seth

  Seth, quick tip on Timbermate for applying it.  I get better results from the following.: Use a putty knife to apply into the hole you're trying to fill, but use a small scrap of wood to level it, using a back and forth movement just like you're sanding with the block .
For me, the metal of a putty knife wants to pull Timbermate a bit out of the hole if you work it too much, but using a little block of wood right after applying the filler really locks it in and levels the filler fast. You then only need a light sanding once it's dry, and I almost never have any shrinkage with this method either.
I typically use hardwood plywood scraps as my 'putty' knife since they seem to hold up really well. 

 

[deepcreek]

It's my understanding that Osmo wood filler is repackaged Timbermate.

I inquired about getting the "Osmo filler" in the U.S. and was told that it's a UK product made up by the importer using Timbermate.

FWIW - I'm a big fan of both Osmo Polyx and Timbermate. 

 

[semenza]

This is the one I have been using.....

      [attachimg=1]

 

[semenza]

          Answer from Elmer's ........ The MAX type that I had been using was sold exclusively through Home Depot. HD discontinued it.  The closest current product is the Pro Bond. I will have to see if it is actually the same.

Seth

 

[Michael Kellough]

Was the Max stuff really better? I see the label says "3x stronger". If it was actually better in some way it seems like they'd either keep selling it or incorporate the formula in the current product.

 

[semenza]

Was the Max stuff really better? I see the label says "3x stronger". If it was actually better in some way it seems like they'd either keep selling it or incorporate the formula in the current product.

    I don't know if it was three times stronger or better in any way. But it was the first filler that I liked other than Minwax two part stuff (the fumes of which are really bad).  I found it easy to work with, no fumes (in peoples homes), a few drops of water to change consistency, doesn't seem to shrink, dries fast. I know some have had trouble with the grittiness but it hasn't been a problem for me.

    It could be that the Pro Bond is the same stuff. I haven't got a chance to try it yet.

Seth