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Crack on the neck heel...what do you think I should do?
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=23361		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  DJR [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 3:02 am ]
Post subject:  Crack on the neck heel...what do you think I should do?
Someone obviously flubbed up on this one...my guess is that they didn't drill a pilot hole and caused the crack. oops_sign A friend of mine picked this guitar up for cheap and came to me for the repair. Now, the real question is whether I should just glue the crack and clamp it, leaving the strap button in the same place; remove the strap button,repair the crack then fill the hole; etc.? I do not think that the structure of the guitar has been affected by this crack (he has had the guitar for 6 weeks and the crack has not enlarged at all), but what do you suggest I do? By the way, I am new to the forum have built 2 guitars from kits and very much enjoy anything guitar. Thanks for the help in advanced. Image
Author:  bluescreek [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 5:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Crack on the neck heel...what do you think I should do?
You are right ,someone flubbed it. It is also a good point to show where not to put a strap button. You have a few options . First get the screw out and see if the crack will clamp shut. If it will then wick CA into it . Next you have to decide how best to hide this. I suggest one of 2 things. Drill out the hole a little under the side of the button. Use a glue like tite bond and glue in the plug. I would only drill about 1 inch in. Use a good hardwood dowel and redrill and mount the button back in. That should help to stabilize and secure the crack and supply some support .
The other option is add a heel cap and move the strap button to the side of the neck.
Author:  Wes McMillian [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 6:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Crack on the neck heel...what do you think I should do?
Looks like you already got two answers while I was getting ready to respond. But I agree wholeheartedly. Remove the button, repair the crack, and relocate the button. Also a good time to add a heel cap - they're not just for looks, but give some extra stiffness and support across the grain.
Author:  Alexandru Marian [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 6:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Crack on the neck heel...what do you think I should do?
I've suggested CA on a very similar heel crack on another forum and some folks argued CA and hog don't match well because of the pH...
Author:  bluescreek [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 7:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Crack on the neck heel...what do you think I should do?
Looks like great minds think alike Hey Todd? LOL
Todd can you call me ?
john
Author:  Barry Daniels [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 8:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Crack on the neck heel...what do you think I should do?
I would use hot hide glue for a repair like this. I think CA should only be used for repairs when you have a crack that is so tight that other glues will not penetrate sufficiently. This crack is open enough that hot hide glue would easily penetrate it.
Author:  SteveSmith [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 8:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Crack on the neck heel...what do you think I should do?
I would definitely move the strap button too - as a player that location would make the guitar hang wrong for me.

If you do plug the hole you might consider using a contrasting plug such as ebony or even abalone.
Author:  Sondre [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 10:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Crack on the neck heel...what do you think I should do?
Alexandru, I did some test gluing with thin ca on cracked mahogany. On all three tests I did, the glued crack was stronger than the surrounding wood
Author:  Pat Foster [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 11:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Crack on the neck heel...what do you think I should do?
DJR,

Welcome. It would be good if we had a name to address you by, either in your user name or sig. [:Y:]

If that were in my shop, I'd use hide glue for fear of having CA migrate and glue the neck to the body, which would make for a very unpleasant surprise for some repair person who has to do a neck reset sometime down the road. CA would adhere very well to the finish under the heel, hide glue perhaps not so much.

Pat
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