A few new repair / restoration tips

[Lawrence Reeves]

I have been experimenting with a new sanding material called micro mesh. It is available in a variety of grits, but what I find the most fascinating about it is that is on a cloth backing. This makes it very flexible when working in tight spaces, and stays put( not scratching unwanted surfaces). I have used a 12000 grit on a varnish to wet sand / fine polish. Just add a little drop of dish washing detergent to the water. The link to the product is http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/

 

Another idea that might work for fixing chipped bone buttons is a trick I learned repairing an ivory ring on a concert flute.

My method of normal crack repair is ground grenadilla wood in the crack, topped with a very thin superglue. I then have to remove the excess ridge ( dremel tool, razor blade, and then sand paper). With the ivory ring I used backing soda instead of the ground wood. I found that it tooled and polished very well. I think it would work with bone, because of the similarity to ivory in composition. I guess by wrapping the button in form or mold, to help build up the side wall, then add the baking soda, and top with glue. shaping and polishing to follow. I tried a dental resin previously on an ivory joint, but the cure did not hold in the crack for more than a month. I hope that this is helpful, and that if anyone gives it a try let me know how it turns out.

[Jon C.]

I have been experimenting with a new sanding material called micro mesh. It is available in a variety of grits, but what I find the most fascinating about it is that is on a cloth backing. This makes it very flexible when working in tight spaces, and stays put( not scratching unwanted surfaces). I have used a 12000 grit on a varnish to wet sand / fine polish. Just add a little drop of dish washing detergent to the water. The link to the product is http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/

 

Another idea that might work for fixing chipped bone buttons is a trick I learned repairing an ivory ring on a concert flute.

My method of normal crack repair is ground grenadilla wood in the crack, topped with a very thin superglue. I then have to remove the excess ridge ( dremel tool, razor blade, and then sand paper). With the ivory ring I used backing soda instead of the ground wood. I found that it tooled and polished very well. I think it would work with bone, because of the similarity to ivory in composition. I guess by wrapping the button in form or mold, to help build up the side wall, then add the baking soda, and top with glue. shaping and polishing to follow. I tried a dental resin previously on an ivory joint, but the cure did not hold in the crack for more than a month. I hope that this is helpful, and that if anyone gives it a try let me know how it turns out.

Thanks for the great ideas! I have seen the mesh at the jewelry supply house, but I have not tried it yet. I also like the idea about the baking soda/ca glue.

With a very large pile of flute restorations to do, I will try this out. All my ivory buttons on my two concertinas are in good shape. I would probably just turn new ivory buttons if I needed them.

Jon

[Dana Johnson]

I have been experimenting with a new sanding material called micro mesh. It is available in a variety of grits, but what I find the most fascinating about it is that is on a cloth backing. This makes it very flexible when working in tight spaces, and stays put( not scratching unwanted surfaces). I have used a 12000 grit on a varnish to wet sand / fine polish. Just add a little drop of dish washing detergent to the water. The link to the product is http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/

 

Another idea that might work for fixing chipped bone buttons is a trick I learned repairing an ivory ring on a concert flute.

My method of normal crack repair is ground grenadilla wood in the crack, topped with a very thin superglue. I then have to remove the excess ridge ( dremel tool, razor blade, and then sand paper). With the ivory ring I used backing soda instead of the ground wood. I found that it tooled and polished very well. I think it would work with bone, because of the similarity to ivory in composition. I guess by wrapping the button in form or mold, to help build up the side wall, then add the baking soda, and top with glue. shaping and polishing to follow. I tried a dental resin previously on an ivory joint, but the cure did not hold in the crack for more than a month. I hope that this is helpful, and that if anyone gives it a try let me know how it turns out.

Thanks for the great ideas! I have seen the mesh at the jewelry supply house, but I have not tried it yet. I also like the idea about the baking soda/ca glue.

With a very large pile of flute restorations to do, I will try this out. All my ivory buttons on my two concertinas are in good shape. I would probably just turn new ivory buttons if I needed them.

Jon

Though the baking soda is mostly all coated with the CA, I wonder about it's durability since it reacts to decompose in acid environments. Acrylic resins can absorb over 1% of their weight in water, so they aren't really impermeable. There must be a better filler material.

Dana

[Lawrence Reeves]

Thanks for the information Dana. I have had many problems finding a suitable cosmetic filler on old ivory rings. Is it possible that this material if used in a ring or an ivory headjoint that is cracked, will hold up over time? I know of one fiddle repair tech that has used it on buttons.

[Dana Johnson]

Thanks for the information Dana. I have had many problems finding a suitable cosmetic filler on old ivory rings. Is it possible that this material if used in a ring or an ivory headjoint that is cracked, will hold up over time? I know of one fiddle repair tech that has used it on buttons.

The problem isn't an easy one, getting something the right color or translucence to match the ivory that won't also set off the CA. You might want to check out the material dentists use for cosmetic fillings. ( silica filler I believe) The stuff is very tenacious and extremely durable, just needs a UV cure. Be worth checking and befriending your local dentist for the occasional repair. Ivory is tooth material after all.

Dana

[Theo]

Thanks for the information Dana. I have had many problems finding a suitable cosmetic filler on old ivory rings.

 

powdered ivory + CA?

[Jon C.]

Thanks for the information Dana. I have had many problems finding a suitable cosmetic filler on old ivory rings.

 

powdered ivory + CA?

I tryed it, cures to dark.

As Dana mentioned, there are very good dental fillers used for tooth re-construction that are UV cured, but you have to find a willing dentist to buy it for you, as you are required to have a dental practice to get it. The material comes in several colors to get a exact match.

Jon

[Stephen Chambers]

The old “Baking Soda and Super Glue Trick” is common enough with guitar repairers. There's an interesting article about mixing colours with it online here: http://www.stewmac.com/tradesecrets/ts0082_bakingsoda.hzml?jrl=250798&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ts0082&clk=199045

[Lawrence Reeves]

I have used a dental resin in the past. A former student of mine who is a dentist helped me with it. The colour match was spot on after it was cured using an ultraviolet lamp of some sort. The problem was that it did not wick into the ivory as well as the baking soda has. If it doesn't bond to the crack, it looks good from the outside then pops out. I have done two rings thus far, and awaiting an ivory headed German flute with a crater of a crack to make my fine opinion. I appreciate the tips from Stephen, and Dana who both have many years on my repair history.

[d.elliott]

Thanks for the information Dana. I have had many problems finding a suitable cosmetic filler on old ivory rings.

 

powdered ivory + CA?

 

Leo,

 

I don't know either, I presume it's foreign talk that we English are not supposed to be able to understand.

 

Dave E

[Pete Dunk]

Leo,

 

I don't know either, I presume it's foreign talk that we English are not supposed to be able to understand.

 

Dave E

 

Dave, CA is short for cyanoacrylate, known here as 'Super Glue'

 

Pete.