In This How To We Will Show You How To Install “Dutchman” Patches

Some pieces of furniture or doors can get damaged over time. Here's how to make them look new again.

I was asked to hide a hole in the reception desk in the waiting room at an architects office. It was a beautiful custom made walnut reception desk and before they renovated the office this desk abutted a wall or other piece of furniture and a hole was drilled through to get all the wiring to the desk.

To patch such a hole you first need to find a piece of wood of the same species and grain configuration (this desk had a clear finish). With natural or stained finishes the dutchman will be less likely to show if the ends of the patch are not square but are a half circle. Square patches are just fine for painted work.

You can make the template for the router in the shop. Rout a scrap piece of wood, and fit the patch to this opening. Then go to the to the site and in very short order have the hole patched.

Watch this video it shows you exactly how to make a dutchman patch: