Violin Forum/Message Board

[kjb]

I have seen people use ca glue and sawdust to fill small cracks, does hide glue do the same?

if you do will that affect how the varnish/color looks. If you are putting on ground first does that keep the color out of the grain, or will you see the (non stain) area where it didn't sink into the glue.

thanks kevin

[Michael Darnton]

Fundamentally, sawdust in "something" is the concept of plastic wood and other similar fillers. It works to a degree, but is always visible, mainly because of it's lack of texture and uniform reflective quality. You can use any medium you want---I've seen superglue, hide, white, and yellow used for this.

I've had much better results, to the point where good retouching will completely disguise the fill, with wood shavings from similar wood, pressed in randomly but mostly in parallel with the grain as much as easily possible. This gives a more random reflection pattern, more similar to wood, and a built-in wood texture, making retouching a lot easier. I use thick hide glue for this. Make sure the fill is full and tight, and above level, then cut it back after it's dried completely.
_________________
new blog at my site! http://darntonviolins.com/blog
my work sites: http://darntonviolins.com and http://darntonhersh.com

[kjb]

are you layering the shavings with glue in between or put your layers in and then glue on top? thanks keivn

[Michael Darnton]

I soak them in glue, lay them into the crack, and push and pack them in place with a dissecting needle, tightly, so there are no glue or air voids.
_________________
new blog at my site! http://darntonviolins.com/blog
my work sites: http://darntonviolins.com and http://darntonhersh.com

[kjb]

great thanks so much for taking the time. keivn