Horn elbow stuck with old glue

[antique1973]

Some dummy glued the horn end cone inside the horn mount 50 years ago
on my Vic III and I can't get it out. I tried boiling it in water for
an hour and to no avail. I am thinking of trying soaking it in acetone
next. Any tips on how to do this without damaging the parts? Thanks for
any info.

[Shane]

Are you sure it's glue and not solder? If it is, a propane torch may be the only solution.

[antique1973]

Are you sure it's glue and not solder? If it is, a propane torch may be the only solution.

It is some type of tan colored glue. I will post pics tomorrow as soon as I get a chance.
Some of it dissolved off the edges but its so snug and tight that much of the surface
area cannot be reached by hot water. If I can't get it out I will end up having to buy
an elbow most likely.

[phonogfp]

I agree with Shane that heat is probably the answer. There are precious few glues that will stand fast in the face of a propane torch. Put the elbow in a vice, have a lit torch in one hand and large needle-nosed pliers in the other. Keep moving the flame over the entire surface of the elbow, and after a minute or so, grab the horn end with the pliers and see if it won't sluggishly rotate in the elbow. I'd bet this will be easier than you might think.

I was wondering why the horn end was still in there!

George P.

[Boyle6]

My guess is that you are dealing with Hide Glue judging from the fact that has dried in a tan/brown color as well as the suspected age. If that is the case it is easily loosened by heat. The previous suggestions of using a torch should work. Another trick that I use in my woodworking is to use a steam iron. The steam has enough heat to loosen the glue and the moisture helps to break its adhesion. I have used steam on old guitars and is has worked very well. I do hope that it is a very early glue joint, some of the modern polyurethane adhesives like Gorilla glue also dry with a cream/tan coloring. These are much harder to remove and require special substances. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

[JohnM]

Hide glue dissolves readily in moist heat let alone boiling water, so I doubt that it is hide glue. I'm not sure if the "50 years ago" reference is entirely accurate. Judging from the tenacity and description, I would suspect it is Liquid Nails or some other bulldog construction adhesive.

Not sure what the civilian solvent would be for LN.. . . acetone, maybe? Check their website or contact them. You may end up buying a replacement elbow, etc.

[Boyle6]

You are correct about the hide glue dissolving in boiling water, so there is a very good chance that that is not what is being dealt with here. Unfortunately, if it is a liquid nails, gorilla glue or one of the various polyurethane adhesives, I am not aware of anything commercially available to remove it. I have seen people freeze an item that those types of glues have gotten on accidentally and then chip it off, but I doubt that technique would be feasible in this case. Other than that only sanding will work which will obviously will damage the parts. Liquid Nails claims that softening the adhesive can be done with temperatures over 140 degrees, bus since you have tried immersion in boiling water I would suspect you are dealing with an adhesive that has stronger bonds than that.

[antique1973]

Gentlemen, thanks everyone for your input and helpful advice! I tried
liquid wrench early this morning and this afternoon was able to get
it free. Seems like it dissolves this type of glue very effectively.
Now I have 2 useful parts instead of one useless one.

[JohnM]

Congrats! That is some bizarre looking adhesive! Does it have a metallic quality to it?

[antique1973]

Congrats! That is some bizarre looking adhesive! Does it have a metallic quality to it?

Thanks, its quite a relief! Its just kind of gummy actually. I think boiling it helped soften it a bit and the liquid wrench finished the job. I think I am going to
go with the black and brass horn if I can find one. We have earthquakes here
so I am kind of concerned about a heavy wood horn falling off.