Filling in holes in woodwork

Caffg_2

Just had new bannisters installed, but there are small holes where the carpenter has used a nail gun, and larger holes where he has recessed some large brass screws. The holes are very noticeable.

We want to stain the wood and then apply a coat of matt varnish so that the bannisters match the hall and landing doors. Does the 'plastic wood' that is advertised provide a good enough base for woodstain, or would it be better to try to fill the holes with a resin/sawdust mix and then apply the stain. (Or is there some alternative solution we should be trying.)

Ideas gratefully received.

Thanks
C

BobProperty

I think there are suitable wood fillers but I'd await the opinion of a woodworker. What I will say is that, if the holes for the screws are large, then you can get a plug cutter and use that to make covers out of the same wood and fit them over the screw holes. Like this http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=32900&ts=17759

windym_2

Depends on the colour you are staining. But we have soft wood and used a linseed putty which was then stained to dark oak. You cannot see the holes.

titewad_2

BobProperty wrote:

I think there are suitable wood fillers but I'd await the opinion of a woodworker. What I will say is that, if the holes for the screws are large, then you can get a plug cutter and use that to make covers out of the same wood and fit them over the screw holes. Like this http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=32900&ts=17759

Rather than plastic wood fillers which i have never seen match 100%,for the smaller holes get some offcuts of the same wood and make loads of sawdust from them.Then mix the sawdust with some woodworkers glue and use this as filler.I have done this many times and it works a treat.
I agree with bob about the plug cutter for larger holes, although you do need to be sure of the size of the holes you are buying the plugcutter for.