Knots

Genia · 03-01-2001, 04:53 PM

I read the posts here whenever I'm online. They've become a valuable teaching tool. (no pun intended) I'm a beginner at woodworking and am making stand-up picture frames. With several of my designs I intend to use the knots by incorporating them as part of the design. I'm using pine. What's the life expectancy of the average knot? I noticed some are loose. Should I try and tap them out, glue and reinsert them, or just leave them alone because "knots just don't fall out"? May seem like a dumb question, but, I'm trying to learn and haven't found any info on knots yet. Thanks Genia

**WoodMangler** · 03-01-2001, 07:43 PM

If they're loose, a few drops of Cyanoacrylate adhesive ("super glue") will hold it pretty good. Whatever finish you're using should hold it also. Don't saw through them...they become projectiles...
Marc

**MadMark** · 03-01-2001, 11:51 PM

Knots come in two flavors, "tight" and "loose". A "tight" know is fully integrated with the surrounding wood and will not normally loosen over time if the humidity swings aren't extreme and the finish is good.

A "loose" knot is just that, loose, and will come out of the piece eventually. These should be avoided.

It's good to incorporate a "defect" as a feature. Kind of like a "beauty mark" on a woman. Make the rest of her look better. On several projects I've made I've intentionally featured a "defect" to give it character. (Sorry about the size of this pic...) Here's a picture of a knot that I *featured* in the center of a coffee table for a client.

http://www.netexperts.cc/~lambertm/Wood/fireknot.jpg

To me, this makes it more beautiful.

M

Genia · 03-02-2001, 08:42 AM

Thanks, Woodmangler...made a note of the superglue. Also made a mental image of the knot projectile (ha!)...you can bet I'm not going to be sawing through any.......Genia

Genia · 03-02-2001, 09:16 AM

Thanks, MadMark...I agree that defects create character...kind of reminds us that nothing is perfect, but it can be viewed from another perspective. In your picture, the knot gave the table a one-of-a-kind look. But I'm going to try the superglue on some. My final product is not going to be large or weight-bearing. Besides, I've noticed on several boards that some of the more interesting knots are the looser ones....may even use that as the byline on my business card, "Some of the more interesting knots are the looser ones". (ha!) Thanks.....Genia