[pianotech] CA glue for split fall ?

[Paul McCloud]

Hi, JD:
	You might or might not have good luck with CA, especially if you use the
very thin stuff.  It wicks in instantly, but then there's not enough of it
left on the surface to create much of a bond.  The thicker kind of CA glue
is better because it will fill a gap and not wick in as much.  But then,
how  do you get it into a fine crack? 	You may be able to get thin CA glue
into the crack, let it set up, and then do it again.  The first try will
seal the wood and then maybe the second pass will do the trick. 
	 Jim Coleman, Jr. sells an amazing kind of CA glue that is far superior to
any ordinary CA glue.  I picked some up at the last convention.  It can
actually glue two pieces of nylon together.  It is extremely strong, much
stronger than CA glue by far.  You can contact Jim Coleman at
jcpianoman at colemantools,com or visit his website: www.colemantools.com. 
I'm not sure if this glue is available in water-thin, but it's worth
checking into.
	You might also try water-thin epoxy.

	Good luck,
	Paul McCloud
	San Diego


> [Original Message]
> From: John Delacour <JD at Pianomaker.co.uk>
> To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Date: 04/09/2011 9:48:25 AM
> Subject: [pianotech] CA glue for split fall ?
>
>
> I have a grand fall of solid walnut veneered on the outside with burl 
> walnut and on the face with pearwood (polished black).  There is an 
> almost invisible crack running about 10 inches in from the bass end 
> about an inch in from the front curve but the crack goes only about 
> 2/3 of the way through the walnut substrate so that the name side is 
> not affected.
>
> If I apply lightish pressure I can open the crack to about 1/2 
> millimetre.  If I opened it wider there is a risk it would go through 
> to the name side.  This opening is not wide enough to work hot glue 
> right into the crack even with a hot feeler gauge and I'm considering 
> the possibility of using CA glue.  People who have used thin 
> modellers' CA glue for tightening wrestpins talk of it 'wicking' in, 
> and I am wondering if it would be suitable for this repair and wick 
> down deep into the crack, which i would then clamp tight for a day or 
> two.
>
> I'd be glad to hear from people with experience of this stuff whether 
> that sounds like a good solution for this repair.
>
> JD