To fill or not to fill - Cherry gum pockets and pinholes

I had some spalted maple that had small insect holes which I filled on one project. The problem was that the spalted wood had enough color variations that it just made the filled holes stand out more. I left them alone on the next project and I thought it looked better. If the cherry has pretty consistent color, filling would probably be less conspicuous than on my maple project.

You could always try it out on a small scrap test board and see for yourself.

I am working on a cherry piece right now and had the same problem. I decided to fill in the more visable defects. I used epoxy tinted to a dark color that is similar to the pitch pocket color. This way the patch just looks like another pitch pocket and I didn’t have to try and match the wood exactly.

This is largely a decision that is dependent upon the look you want it to have. I generally leave the insect holes/tunnels in the wood. This gives the piece character, in my opinion.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

If the holes are that small to begin with , won’t your finish fill them in ? Do they go all the way through the board ? I’ve filled some holes with CA glue alone (the thick one and also the gel type) and then finish sanded and then applied the finish. I am in favor of leaving the character marks alone , especially if your customer already stated that she loves the pitch pockets : )

-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .

I wouldn’t do anything to fill the holes. As others have pointed out, they add character.

-- Build for the joy of it!

I’m with Scott and See.

-- Don, Pittsburgh

You could use some grain filler

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

Thanks for the replies. I’ll take another look at the panel once it’s been cut to size, see what, if anything really needs attention. I’m leaning towards the character approach.

-- Mistake? No, that's just an unexpected design opportunity....