We think Byron Papa’s technique for filling nail holes is noteworthy, but we like our method better. We don’t worry about filling nail holes — we eliminate them.
Before driving the nail, we use a gouge or a parting tool to lift a small chip of wood from the surface of the work (1 in the drawing)). Be careful not to break off the chip. Now drive the nail into the resulting groove (2), and countersink it. Glue the chip back in place (3), and you’ve got a concealed nail hole with perfectly matching grain (4).
—Daniel Casciato, Cleveland, OH
Edited and Illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #23
