The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Well, it took a lot of time, I'll say that much. I don't like using permanent glues like regular brown wood glue or urethane glue because when you clean them up....they usually take original finish along with them. AND they aren't reversible. When the glue fails you need to scrape away the old stuff, and it causes damage to the fragile wood. And animal hide, or "hot" glue solidifies too fast. Even though it can be softened with heat and moisture, it isn't as forgiving as: FISH GLUE. Fish glue has a long open time, gets tacky within minutes, and creates a strong, penetrating bond. After getting my clamping arrangement (strategy) in order, I apply the glue with a 20 gauge surgical syringe, and start putting the parts together. In instances like this lid, I had to do it in about 4 stages. First stage being stabilizing the pieces, and each subsequent stage trying my best to get the shattered pieces to come back together. Because of the awkward position of most of the repairs, I had to actually use my fingers to hold down the veneer until the glue solidified, or at least became tacky like tar...enough to hold everything down. Took HOURS. But, I think it is quite presentable now.

I did another horn recently which I will post here if I can find the photos.

I don't have a photo of this horn BEFORE the repair, but it had about 4 splits.....3 minor, one major. I had to use a kerf saw to actually cut a gap in the hoop to allow the wood to close (mahogany shrank, thus creating a stress gap where the wood opened up). After cutting the hoop, I used a series of clamps and old bicycle inner tubes to wrap the horn and close the opening. While doing this, I was constantly wiping away the fish glue with a moist paper towel , so it wouldn't create a mess.

For the smaller stress cracks, I used the kerf saw again and cut slots in the hoop until I could close the cracks...using a surgical syringe to inject the fish glue into the cracks. From this photo, you would never know this horn was in need of repair....just the way I like this type of restoration work to turn out.

Simply amazing. I am in total awe of your skills.

Andreas

It's got to be UPS or FEDEX that destroyed it.

Wes

That you were able to get all that linear length of puzzle scarfed together is amazing!

MicaMonster wrote:Well, it took a lot of time, I'll say that much. I don't like using permanent glues like regular brown wood glue or urethane glue because when you clean them up....they usually take original finish along with them. AND they aren't reversible. When the glue fails you need to scrape away the old stuff, and it causes damage to the fragile wood. And animal hide, or "hot" glue solidifies too fast. Even though it can be softened with heat and moisture, it isn't as forgiving as: FISH GLUE. Fish glue has a long open time, gets tacky within minutes, and creates a strong, penetrating bond. After getting my clamping arrangement (strategy) in order, I apply the glue with a 20 gauge surgical syringe, and start putting the parts together. In instances like this lid, I had to do it in about 4 stages. First stage being stabilizing the pieces, and each subsequent stage trying my best to get the shattered pieces to come back together. Because of the awkward position of most of the repairs, I had to actually use my fingers to hold down the veneer until the glue solidified, or at least became tacky like tar...enough to hold everything down. Took HOURS. But, I think it is quite presentable now.

I did another horn recently which I will post here if I can find the photos.

As someone once said:

"Miracles take time: if you rush it, you get a lousy miracle."

Bill