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Re: English horn loose bell ring adhesive

Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-04-13 00:25

With superglue, I apply an even coating of it directly to the wood, all around the recess and it starts to cure. Then I fully fit the bell or socket ring and apply more superglue to wick into the gap between the socket or bell ring and the wood, then go around with acetone to remove any excess.

I use low viscosity/instant grab superglue as that wicks right into any small gaps (as well as crack repairs for the same reason) and apply it drop by drop using a needle spring with one end flattened out or a small screwdriver until it no longer wicks in.

The main risk with low viscosity superglue being as well as it is good at wicking into gaps, it can also run out of gaps on the opposite side and create a right old mess on the joint surface to clean up, especially if you get it on your fingers and leave superglue fingerprints everywhere.

With bell (and socket) rings, if you dry fit the loose bell ring to the bell and rotate it, chances are you'll find both the bell and socket ring have gone slightly oval (the bell being wood will have gone far more oval than the metal ring) and you'll find certain points where it loosens and tightens up. If the ring spins freely with no points of resistance, then its still round even if the wood has gone oval but will rattle in one plane more than another.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes

NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.

The opinions I express are my own.

Post Edited (2026-04-13 00:26)

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