The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This is probably beyond my skill level, but though I would ask anyways. The lid of my edison Gem has this splintered break that doesn't seem to press back down easily with my finger. I will probably take the whole lid apart and reglue some areas of the veneer, but I don't know how I would fix this one part. Has anyone ever fixed anything like this that can give me some tips? Thanks

Ive had similar breaks come in on lower end guitars, I managed to persuade the wood back down with gentle use of heat and I wicked CA glue in to the join, if it were a higher end guitar i may not have used CA glue but that was the easier option and kept the job cost effective, but using heat can cause the finish to bubble and blush if you're not very careful, which you don't want, another option would be to make 2 snug fitting curved cauls, one on the outside of the break, one on the inside, push some glue into the break with a suction cup, and then clamp the cauls to shape the broken section back into the proper profile and leave the glue to set

To build on Kirtley's advice, try heating around the broken area, inject a little wood glue and the press down with weights.
The heat allows flexibility to bend the wood back into place.
I used soft led weights in neoprene from my scuba diving days so they conform to the curve of the lid.

Best of Luck

Bruce

Find someone with a bag press.

A small adjustable ratchet trailer tie down strap could be used as a clamp... They are good for clamping cabinets together, as well.

Curt A wrote: Wed Jun 02, 2021 9:20 am A small adjustable ratchet trailer tie down strap could be used as a clamp... They are good for clamping cabinets together, as well.

Screen Shot 2021-06-02 at 9.18.45 AM.png

Yup, a set of pants belts works too. the ratchet tie downs worked great for chair legs too.

I think when they originally build those lids they use steam as heat to form the bends. Could he use something that steams the wood , glue it, then clamp it. Maybe this is overkill. When I had a warped base board I used wet rags and weights on it for a couple of weeks and it was OK. Tom