Pivot pin fallen out

[jonnymickey]

I just got launched into a favourite tune when the L/H 10 started sounding. On investigation the pivot pin had fallen out of the base board and the whole lever (pad and all) came off hence the constantly sounding reeds.

I pushed the pin back in but it didn’t feel very secure.

Would a drop of glue in the hole be a good idea?

 

[Ken_Coles]

Yes, I've done it twice for myself and once for someone else - it is a common repair. I use quick epoxy, but our friends here will chime in with a dozen other suggestions I'm sure!

 

Ken

[jonnymickey]

Thanks Ken - that’s exactly what I was contemplating. I am always wary of doing something irreversible to an old instrument. 
 

john

[Milesy]

If it's an antique instrument, you might try a drop of hide glue (used by luthiers and fine cabinet makers) - it's reversible ie can be removed. this is the one I use: https://www.axminstertools.com/titebond-liquid-hide-glue-ax22595

 

Richard

[Theo]

Better not to use glue of any sort as it may make future repairs more difficult.  The pin is retained by friction, so a better method is to cut a sliver of soft wood the same width as the pin and place this between the pin and the edge of the hole, the press the pin fulling in.  If it's still not tight then try again with a thicker sliver

 

[Ken_Coles]

Best to listen to the experts - my repairs to pivots were admittedly all on modern instruments, whose maker told me glue was fine.

 

Ken

[Wally Carroll]

If you use a flexible pva glue like Elmer’s white glue, you will be fine. We put a similar product in all of our lever holes prior to assembly and can still remove them if need be. 

[Clive Thorne]

Even domestic expoxies can be softened by judicious use of heat (E.g. soldering iron), and will soften well before the wood is damged.