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Re: Post-crack repair question

Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2016-04-16 16:41

It's impossible to say where it was not a great repair job or if the crack would have opened up anyway. Besides pinning, the crack should have been glued as well, and despite what some others have posted, the viscosity of glue does matter. The very thin glue (available in hobby shops and online) can easily seep down into the crack and soak into the wood fibers. It is also a common practice to enlarge the crack before gluing. this makes it easier to ensure that the glue enters the crack.

I also learned to close up the crack before pinning by letting the crack rest with a lot of moisture. I no longer do this, though I might let it rest for a day or so. The crack releases tension, so I repair it where it wants to be.
If I was to work on your instrument, I would open up the crack (just at the surface and not very deep), glue, fill and finish.

Unless the crack goes through a tone hole you probably don't have a problem. If the crack enters a tone hole, a bushing should be installed. This is basically a piece of plastic or hard rubber that replaces the wood around the tone hole. Some new high end clarinets come with these from the factory.

I've been doing a lot of crack repair and tone hole bushings recently. It is interesting that it didn't start till late winter.

Steve Ocone

Post Edited (2016-04-16 16:42)

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Zacharywest158

2016-04-16 07:43