Violin Forum/Message Board

Mat Roop · Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 1:42 pm Post subject: Gluing tool/ method

Found this interesting article on the "Cheese knife" for gluing with hot hide glue.
http://www.stewmac.com/tradesecrets/ts0104_cheesyknife.hzml?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ts0104 ... go to the last half of the page

Reminded me of a question I have been pondering...... what is the usual practice to apply the hot hide glue to the rib edges to glue tops so that it does not run down the ribs... or do you work with the violin upside down.... or do you apply the glue to the edges of the whole top at once ... but that only works if you work at lighning speed, and there is no time to push and shove to make all parts fit proerly.
How do you do it?
Cheers, Mat

Chet Bishop · Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 3:31 pm Post subject:

Sam Compton used to leisurely apply the glue to the edges of the entire garland, blocks and all, then gently clamp his plate in place, after the glue had gelled. He then took a hair-dryer, and went around the garland, re-heating the glue, and gently tightening clamps as he went. No muss; no fuss, no stress.

I sure miss Sam...

Chet
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Andres Sender · Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 5:14 pm Post subject:

Me too.
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Michael Darnton · Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 3:47 pm Post subject:

I brush glue on the ribs/linings/blocks, and then work fast. There's always a bit of clean-up to do, but if you wet the ribs first, everything stays on the surface rather than working its way into the wood.

L P Reedy · Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 8:10 pm Post subject:

I tried Sam's method today for the first time. My shop is very cold this time of year (especially this year) and applying clamps with one hand is not fast, either. I THINK this way worked very well. I'll know later. My biggest concern is the end blocks but I believe I got them warm enough. I realized after I got started that I could pretty well tell when the glue melted by the way the clamps tightened down.

Thanks for the reminder, Chet.

Lyle

Jack Rushing · Member Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 170

Can you imagine how inconvenient it must have been for Stradivari
back in those days. With no electric glue pot, or electric lights. Especially
on cloudy, winter, days. And having to working by candle light at night.

Mat Roop · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 12:51 am Post subject:

Thanks for the suggestions... I had not heard or thought of the "Sam" method... sounds interesting... I have to try it.

Chet Bishop · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 10:36 pm Post subject:

On a larger scale, Jim Ham, the Canadian Bass-maker, does a very similar thing, but allows the glue to completely dry before assembly, then uses live steam to re-liquify the glue. I tried this once, and managed to wash all the glue out of the seam, so that the plate was not even attached. I think my steamer was shooting too much water, and not enough steam. Smile

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woodwiz · Junior Member Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 9

I get the plate lined up with the ribs, aligned and clamped just the way I want it. Then I take off about 3 clamps at a time, and quickly work the glue into the seam with a palette knife, cleaning up as I go with a damp rag. Learned it at the shop where I work, and once you learn how to get an even spread it works great.

John Cadd · Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 7:21 am Post subject:

A guitar has no edge lip like a violin but it`s always better to have the glue applied with the joint lowest .Nothing will be able to dribble then.
The knife carrying the glue can hold some heat but in a cold room it can draw heat away as well. .Is a plastic "applicator" a better idea? The cheese holes idea is excellent. I made a few one handed clamps to overcome the awkward twisting needed.I don`t think I`ve ever seen any other one -handers. They have never been used so far.

terryc · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 6:43 pm Post subject: Gluing back to ribs

L P Reedy · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 7:15 pm Post subject:

Actually, I didn't say I would get back. I said I would know.

I don't remember the incident. Getting too old. But it must have worked or I would have had to reglue it And I'm sure I didn't. I'll try it again sometime if I can remember to.

terryc · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 8:36 pm Post subject:

LP Reedy
Sorry for mis quoting you. Sounded like a efficient way of getting the job done. Thanks for getting back. Going to be gluing up the top shortly and was looking for different approaches.
Thanks again,
Terryc

Michael Darnton · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2014 8:19 am Post subject:

Wetting the ribs helps keep the glue on the surface where you can scrape it off. Also, I hardly use any glue at all. These days I find myself regluing about 30% after I take off the clamps. Squeeze-out is nil.
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terryc · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2014 8:38 am Post subject: