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 Case Restoration
Author: blue_dog 
Date:   2011-04-11 16:32

I inherited a Buffet Academy model. Though there are cracks in the tenons, they haven't given me playing issues (none of the techs here in San Diego want to touch the cracks; they all suggest leaving them alone). It also came with one of those 1950's Buffet Pochette cases. The handle will be replaced. It is pretty much just the metal underneath the leather. However, the case itself isn't so bad. It has that musty smell, and the velvet covering the wood that was carved out for the clarinet to rest on is dirty. Has anyone restored a case before?

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 Re: Case Restoration
Author: kdk 
Date:   2011-04-11 16:38

I haven't, but if you're interested in contact information for someone who does this, contact me off-list.

Karl



Post Edited (2011-04-11 16:39)

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 Re: Case Restoration
Author: rs11gps 
Date:   2011-04-11 17:12

Ho complete do you want to make the restoration? Here's my usual process:

Most cases have wooden forms glued to a small sheet of cardboard, covered in velvet/cloth, and mounted on shims in the case. The lining in the lid is usually a peice of cardboard, with batting and fabric covering.

Over time, the cork grease, saliva and moisture impregnate the cloth, batting and cardboard... and to some extent the wood. Therefore the smell and grime.

The 'cleanest' restoration involves gutting the interior case down to the bare wood. You can deodorize the wood to some extent with spray or pet deodorizers, and extensive airing.

Save any manufacturer ribbons, labels or tags to put back into the case later. Use the old wood forms if they don't smell, or cut new ones using the old ones as templates.

Definitely replace the cardboard and fabric. Both contact cement and hot glue work on the wood and cardboard, although hot glue may not work well with the fabric as it easily soaks through.

Often the exterior of a case does not really need tear-down restoring. I lean toward making it look presentable, not 'new'. Good cleaning with appropriate sovents (I often use denatured alchohol, windex, and leather polishes) goes a long way.

Carefully glue down tears, sometimes you can recolor scratches with a matching artist's acryllic paint; stitchng can be re-sewn a stitch at a time. Don't pull out all of the thread to fix just a bew broken stitches.

Basically, it just takes time, and you have to decide what that is worth. :)

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 Re: Case Restoration
Author: Ed 
Date:   2011-04-11 18:05

Fred Jakobowitz refurbishes cases.

case-closed.us



Post Edited (2011-04-11 18:54)

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 Re: Case Restoration
Author: blue_dog 
Date:   2011-04-11 18:31

Fred the Klezmer clarinettist?

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 Re: Case Restoration
Author: Ed 
Date:   2011-04-11 18:54

Yup, same guy

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 Re: Case Restoration
Author: Ken Shaw 2017
Date:   2011-04-11 19:23

rs11gps -

Do you restore cases only for your own purchased instruments or do it as a business? I keep a list of restorers. If you're willing to take outside customers, please let us have your website URL or your email address.

Thanks.

Ken Shaw

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 Re: Case Restoration
Author: kimber 
Date:   2011-04-11 19:40

Changing out the lining is an easy project...if you have a spare hour or two on the weekend, give it a shot. If it doesn't come out right, then send it off to a 'professional.' You should be able to pull out both the top and bottom forms rather easily and slowly pull the fabric up from around them.

My Buffet pochette case has plastic forms, not wood. I was able to customize the form, getting rid of the extra barrel hole that I don't use and turning it into a humistat holder, building up the mold with powergrab construction glue.

Don't use hot glue. Among other things, it will loosen up if left in the warm sun too long. A yard of stretch crushed velvet should be plenty (the stretch makes shaping and tucking into the form blocks easier - but not required.)

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 Re: Case Restoration
Author: blue_dog 
Date:   2011-04-11 21:36

By the way, if anyone's interested in a Leblanc Symphonie III case from the 1950's, I have one...and I'll give it away for free. Just spring for shipping.

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 Re: Case Restoration
Author: rs11gps 
Date:   2011-04-11 21:53

>>>> Don't use hot glue. Among other things, it will loosen up if left in the warm sun too long.


:) It's melting temperature is between 180 and 200 Celcius. I think the clarinet would suffer other problems before that.

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 Re: Case Restoration
Author: kimber 
Date:   2011-04-12 14:12

>>>>>:) It's melting temperature is between 180 and 200 Celcius. I think the clarinet would suffer other problems before that.

Low temp glue guns (like at craft/discount stores) heat to 121 C to achieve full viscosity. It will start to release it's grip before that because you have spread it thinner than the original glue stick once you've applied it.

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 Re: Case Restoration
Author: rs11gps 
Date:   2011-04-20 01:36

:) Even your low 121 C is still 250deg farenheit. Not quite car temperatures.

Truly, it is what works. It works well for me. Good luck with your projects.

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 Re: Case Restoration
Author: BobD 
Date:   2011-04-21 15:21

Yes, I have restored cases and have concluded that it's a waste of time.

Bob Draznik

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