 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: TEEEJAAA
Date: 2020-01-30 09:27
Attachment: crack.jpg (383k)
Hello,
I discovered a crack in my piccolo between two tone holes. (I realize this is the clarinet board, but crack repair seems applicable across instruments, and this board seems to be most informative about cracks.)
I attached a picture and annotated a blue box around the crack. It's not terribly deep, but it is over the rim of both tone holes. It also hasn't noticeably affected the sound, but moisture does leak through the crack on both holes when condensation builds inside the instrument, so air is probably getting through too.
I am wondering if anybody who repairs cracks like this will tell me how they would fix such a crack? Is it possible to fix it so it is "good as new" (or as close as can be)?
There isn't much wood between the tone holes (<2 mm), so I don't think a pin or a band will be practical here.
Is this a case where I should drill out the rims part way into the tone holes and make inserts that match the original rims? Then fill the remaining crack between the holes?
Ideally I'd like to fix it so I can be sure this crack won't reopen in the future (assuming I always take proper precautions for the instrument).
I don't want to lose this piccolo- it's very rare and it can't be replaced, and I've never played another one that makes as sweet a sound.
Thank you!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2020-01-30 09:35
It can be glued up with superglue which will seal it, then the tonehole levelled once that's done. It can still reopen, but applying more superglue can be used.
At worst the toneholes will need to be bushed, but it's best to consult a specialist and have them go through all the options.
Pinning may not be possible on piccolos as the wall thickness may not permit that unless the pins are around 1mm in diameter at the most.
Whatever you do, don't use wax or anything oily to seal the crack as that will contaminate it and prevent the glue from adhering.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: n
Date: 2020-01-30 09:40
Good Evening,
Do you happen to know how this crack has come about? I can't give you much help on repairing it unless you stick a rod in there. I can help with taking precautions to avoid this in the future however.
One such precaution is to purchase a humidifier. As you probably know, cracks are caused when you blow hot air through a cold instrument. Humidifers can regulate the temperature inside your instrument's case. There aren't really any humidifiers made specifically for the piccolo but it works just fine to purchase one intended for the viola or similar ones.
I can see that you enjoy your instrument and its sound. You should find someone who can repair the wood. Unfortunately with the pin method, your instrument just doesn't play the same.
Best of luck,
N
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2020-01-30 18:30
"Unfortunately with the pin method, your instrument just doesn't play the same."
Chances are it will play differently from the moment it cracked and pinning shouldn't make any difference provided it's been done well. Some instruments play much easier once they've cracked - some players have noticed how much freer things are after they've cracked compared to how they were before. Not all, but some.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2020-01-30 18:44
My general rule of thinking is if moisture is leaking out of the crack you have an air leak. This needs to be fixed as soon as possible. The horn leaks air so it won't ever play as well as it should.
I would see a good repairman before using super glue. Sometimes pinning the crack is the best way, and if you put super glue in the crack it could crack even more. And yes I realize the horn may be just fine with using super glue but the issue is removing the glue if you decide to pin it.
I also realize that when pinning a crack sometimes it puts stress on another surrounding area and then another crack can happen. This is unusual but it surely happens. It's just wood!
I was in the Air Force for a bit and when playing in the very cold weather not a single horn from any of the players cracked. Yep! Not a single horn. It is my belief that wood horns sometimes have weak spots in the grain structure and can succumb to cracks. But it is also related to now the wood was cured with oils before turning into an actual clarinet. Then horns do dry out through the years and the wood can crack from dryness.
Let's take care of horns properly, there is a shortage of quality wood now and maybe this special wood won't be around in future years.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2020-01-30 21:23
TEEEJAAA wrote:
>
> I attached a picture and annotated a blue box around the crack.
> It's not terribly deep, but it is over the rim of both tone
> holes.
When you say "It's not terribly deep," you're implying that it isn't through to the bore. Obviously in the photo, the crack ends up going across the tone hole seats. Do the ends of the crack go into the bore or just sideways into the tone hole itself?
It will probably leak air anywhere the opening reaches the bore. If it only goes horizontally through the tone hole chimneys and doesn't reach the bore, only the openings in the tone hole rim may need to be sealed and the tone hole seats resurfaced. If that's the case, does the main part of the crack (is it more a surface check?) need any kind of work?
I've had screw holes (when I've had a thumb rest moved) filled by my repairman using superglue mixed with wood dust and you really can't see the repair at all unless you're really looking for it. Maybe seal the ends (at the tone holes) and then just apply a covering over the rest just to hide it. (Still not a DIY) job unless you have the right tools to level the tone hole seats and the skill to use them.)
Karl
Post Edited (2020-01-30 21:24)
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Author: TEEEJAAA
Date: 2020-01-30 22:15
Thanks for the replies, everybody.
N - I am probably responsible for the crack because sometimes I don't swab my picc after playing it, and that probably created a moisture imbalance in the wood with the dry winter air. I've kept it well oiled. But this is also a very old piccolo, and it already had one crack when I obtained it.
Karl - Correct, the crack does not go all the way through the bore, but on the left side (in the photo) the crack does extend maybe two millimeters down into the bore. After I took this photo and posted this thread I was able to look closer under a microscope and it is deeper than I first thought (but still not nearly all the way through). The main part of the crack is on a thicker part of wood, and it seems to be as deep as the portion that extends into the tone hole.
I actually resurfaced all of the toneholes on this picc myself a few years ago, and I have all the tools to shape and level them. I've repaired cracks on instruments with bands and glue before, but I've never done a crack through tone holes like this. I am starting to think bushings might be the best solution in this particular case, and a pin through the middle section...it's more work, but I think it would provide the best long term security. I contacted another local repair-person, and I'll see what they suggest- if it's too complicated I might have them do it.
Bob - "there is a shortage of quality wood now and maybe this special wood won't be around in future years" .... Agreed. I've actually switched to a hard-rubber clarinet, and my second piccolo is a composite material that won't crack. I've put more hours than I can count into salvaging my wood piccolo because it was in terrible shape when I got it...but it turned out to be a diamond in the rough, which is why I want to do whatever I can to fix this crack. And I am definitely learning my lesson about proper maintenance to prevent cracks.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2020-01-31 00:01
>> but the issue is removing the glue if you decide to pin it. <<
Ha...?
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2020-01-31 01:44
I install bushings for the cracked tone holes. I've been using plastic, but I've also used hard rubber. The crack will probably continue to open and close (at least a little bit) as you play it and let it rest, so even if you resurface the tone hole you can get a leak.
Steve Ocone
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2020-01-31 21:05
TEEEJAAA - Wow! Yes! Let's save these wonderful wood horns for as long as we can. I'm kind of into restoring horns. It's not easy.
clarnibass Hi! What is your actual question? I do know how to remove most glues. My theory about pinning a horn is to pin the crack as tight as possible, to the point in which you may not see the crack. If old clumped up glue is in the way you may not always get a tight fit and you will still see the crack after pinning. Yes I've pinned cracks before and I've also plugged cracked tone holes then re-drilled the holes. I've even put sleeves over several cracks. I am surely good, but I am surely not perfect. I HATE doing repairs for people. I'm more into bringing horns back to life. A stinky unplayable horn, then fixed by me, will bring happiness to someone unable to play music due to no money. Cheers!
I have to make an edit. I hate pinning horns and I'll try other ways to fix cracks. But when a crack reaches the inside bore and air leaks I will always pin it. Folks don't send me your horns to fix. I'll advise you, but I only like saving old horns from being discarded. If you have an old horn you want to send to me for a school system I'll accept these and donate them in your name.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2020-01-31 21:11)
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