Rigger Mortice
N/A
I've never glued plugs in. I don't have teak decks but there is plenty of teak in my cockpit. Never lost a plug yet.
Fitting teak plugs
- Thread starter lustyd
- Start date
andygc
Member
Not if you've got the Axminster kit - you use the plug cutters in the kit, then they'll fit the holes you drilled with the matching drill bits.
Scotty - there's no sense trying to buy ready-cut plugs since there's not much chance of them being a good fit in your holes.
john_morris_uk
Well-known member
I've experimented with a few methods over the years.
FWIW the best plug cutters I've found are these Veritas ones:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/veritas-tapered-snug-plug-cutters
And I usually use these drill and hole combined sets to drill the holes:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/disston-screwdiggers-with-hex-shanks
I've used the combined 'Stanley' ones in the past but I was told by one toolshop that they aren't available any more.
FWIW the best plug cutters I've found are these Veritas ones:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/veritas-tapered-snug-plug-cutters
And I usually use these drill and hole combined sets to drill the holes:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/disston-screwdiggers-with-hex-shanks
I've used the combined 'Stanley' ones in the past but I was told by one toolshop that they aren't available any more.
itchenseadog
Member
As a traditional wooden boatbuilder just retired after nearly 50 years in the trade, I have always used standard flat bits to bore the countersink hole (much cheaper alternative than those already mentioned and with the advantage that the bits can be easily sharpened). A piece of masking tape acts as a depth guage. I use a tapered plug cutter in a pillar drill to cut the dowels so they tighten as you tap them in with a dab of Cascamite or similar glue.
lustyd
Well-known member
Hi all, thought I should return to say thanks for all the advice.
In the end I bought the Axminster set and a pillar drill which worked perfectly
In the end I bought the Axminster set and a pillar drill which worked perfectly
Bought a set in Lidl(or Aldi) last year.Still waiting for anopportunity to use them
Ruffles
Active member
I've the No 8 set of those. With a tapered plug cutter you shouldn't need to glue the plug in. I sometimes use a little varnish if the end result is to be varnished anyway. Remember you may want to get it out again!
The only drawback of a tapered plug cutter is that without a pillar drill the plug often breaks when cutting. Not a problem if you have a lot of off-cuts!
The drill part is also brilliant for countersinking. And never creates a rough edge.
One caveat. It's important that the plug doesn't touch the screw once tapped in. So I often trim the end off with a chisel before inserting.
Birdseye
Well-known member
Hi all, I've just taken delivery of a lovely new piece of teak which will be used on the boat shortly. Now that I have it though I realise that I have no experience fitting those little teak plugs and also lack the confidence to give it a bash on my shiny new teak. I think I'm happy with the cutting off and sanding part, but the drilling has me worried in case I make the hole too big or too deep etc.
Do I just use a normal drill bit? What's the best way to avoid going too deep? from what I understand I just use varnish to "glue" the plugs in?
Thanks all, I know someone on here will be able to explain the process
I have a plug cutter and the drill to go with it. take the plugs from offcuts and they fit fine. only real difficulty is getting the plugs to go in straight.
Wooden Boat Fittings
New member
A bit late for the OP, but this article may be of use to someone wanting to set plugs -- http://www.woodenboatfittings.com.au/articles/plugs-setting.pdf
Mike
Mike
