Violin Forum/Message Board

Dave Chandler · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 11:52 am Post subject: Filling gaps

I have a fiddle I'm restoring, made in 1897. Top has been removed at least 3 times over the years, and there are big "fillings" in the top in numerous places where wood ripped out over the blocks and corner, that were filled with what appears to be plaster of paris (or maybe sheetrock paste). I've dug out most, cleaned the remainder with a minute small stiff brush and hot water. While working on other issues with the fiddle, I have a question.

Refill with epoxy?

Refill with a paste made of sawdust and hot thick hide glue?

Other suggestions?
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Dave in the Blue Ridge
Southern Violin Association

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to the next with no loss of enthusiasm" Winston Churchill

"I took the road less travelled, and now I don't know where I am." Marco Polo

FiddleDoug · Member Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 227 Location: Hilton, NY

The correct fix would be edge doubling, or, in the areas over the block, patches. The patches would be chalk fitted. There's a good section in Weisshaar & Shipman about that. Do not use epoxy, as I doubt that hide glue would stick to it. Filling with sawdust and glue would risk that the whole chunk would rip out the next time that the top is removed.
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Doug Wall

www.wallindependent.com

BK · Member Joined: 10 Apr 2011 Posts: 60

I was wondering about this too, because I accidentally took a chunk out of a corner when I was sanding down the ribs to get them even.

How does edge doubling and chalk fitting work? I'm not familiar with the terms.

FiddleDoug · Member Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 227 Location: Hilton, NY

Edge doubling and fitting patches are advanced restoration techniques that involve wood replacement. Wood replacement is typically a last resort measure in restoration, where the usual rule is not to remove any original wood. There are two chapters devoted to it in Weisshaar and Shipman, and I won't attempt to duplicate it here. Needless to say, if you don't know how to do it, then you shouldn't attempt it.
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Doug Wall

www.wallindependent.com

Dave Chandler · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 4:46 pm Post subject:

Thanks. I know about wood replacement, didn't want to have to do that, but sounds like that's the best alternative.
_________________
Dave in the Blue Ridge
Southern Violin Association

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to the next with no loss of enthusiasm" Winston Churchill

"I took the road less travelled, and now I don't know where I am." Marco Polo