Sawdust/wood glue mixture vs. Bondo?

[MaximRecoil]

I've noticed that many people use Bondo when repairing damaged corners and edges on old cabinets. I was thinking that sawdust mixed with wood glue might be better, particularly for particle board repairs, given that particle board is essentially sawdust and glue in the first place.

Bondo, if subjected to future damaging impacts, tends to chip, crack or break, whereas it seems to me that a repair made with a sawdust/wood glue mixture would react to damaging impacts in a similar manner as the original particle board does, which is more likely to dent than crack, chip or break.

I don't know much about woodworking though, but my father who has done woodworking for ages always used sawdust and wood glue as a cheap and strong filler for minor repairs.

I'd be interested to know other people's views before I try it on an actual cabinet.

[Tilzs]

I did some minor restoration useing glue/sawdust method. Worked out just fine but my area was small. I think I'd look for another method if the area you are trying to repair is large.

[Maverick]

Sawdust/glue work great.....strong, sandable. Bondo is easier to shape but made for thin applications.

[Xphile]

You can use bondo for any size or thickness.
 
At our cabinetshop we are more likely to use bondo (on paintgrade) if it's a huge oopsie than if it's something is just minor enough for wood filler.. it's quicker than grafting on(/in) a piece of wood and waiting around for glue to dry, and it's damn tough stuff..

I much prefer it to putzing around with glue and sawdust (which may take days to dry thoroughly from the outside in if it's deep/thick enough - like say a 1" deep button hole in a CP )

bondo has hardened to be worked (routered and sanded and drilled) within 10 minutes..

don't sell it short..