Repair question. Okay, don't make fun of me...

[75lespaul]

I bought a cheapo mandolin off of ebay just to learn the Led Zeppelin thing. It's brand new but it came with the headstock snapped clean off. I snapped from the headstock under the nut and diagonally up to the middle of the neck. It looks like a doorstop wedge. Don't know if I want to go through the hassle of returning it because I'd have to pay for the shipping. What would be the best glue to use to repair this, if it's a valid repair, and what would the proper clamping technique be? :smoker: :cool3:

Thanks guys.

 

[rspst14]

Re: Repair question. Okay, don't make fun of me...

Did the wood splinter at all? If not, and the break was totally clean, it shouldn't be too difficult of a repair. I would use some Titebond wood glue to repair it, although I still think sending it back would be the best choice. I don't see the point in keeping it, especially if the package was insured. As far as clamps go, good techs usually have a special clamping system for these types of repairs. Since I'm guessing you don't have one, you'll need to figure out some other way to do it. Off the top of my head, I'm not sure what the best way is to go about doing it.

Ryan

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Repair question. Okay, don't make fun of me...

Ryan--

The break is totally clean. Since I'm not worried about tone or TOO much about action since this is such a cheap instrament, I was hoping just to fix it so I could learn on it. What I'm worried about is if the neck will be weaker and this point would just keep breaking or if the repair would be strong. I've got clamps but just regular C clamps.

This is probably more about impatience than anything else. I've been waiting for it for two weeks, watching my mandolin training video and all, and I'm chomping at the bit to rock. :saeek:

 

[ranger1bn75inf]

Re: Repair question. Okay, don't make fun of me...

Did the wood splinter at all? If not, and the break was totally clean, it shouldn't be too difficult of a repair. I would use some Titebond wood glue to repair it, although I still think sending it back would be the best choice. I don't see the point in keeping it, especially if the package was insured. As far as clamps go, good techs usually have a special clamping system for these types of repairs. Since I'm guessing you don't have one, you'll need to figure out some other way to do it. Off the top of my head, I'm not sure what the best way is to go about doing it.

Ryan

Titebond is amazing glue! Great suggestion Ryan! Maybe some good ol' duct tape will keep it in place in lieu of a nice clamp. It's not the perfect solution but I'm thinking it'll hold the headstock in place until it dries.

Good Luck,

Jon

 

[rspst14]

Re: Repair question. Okay, don't make fun of me...

www.projectguitar.com

Check out the tutorial for repairing a broken neck.

Ryan

 

[Bludave]

Re: Repair question. Okay, don't make fun of me...

Duct tape won't work...... I've tried it. (and I am the King of duct tape). You will need to clamp it. If you do not have the clamps see if you can borrow them. If you can't borrow the correct clamps you will need to buy them. How much did you pay for the Mandolin? If you did not pay a lot for it it would be a good test to see if you can fix it. If it is not clamped well as soon as you put the strings on the crack will open up and the headstock will come off again. DO NOT USE EPOXY Use either a good quality yellow carpenters glue or the titebond they both work very well!!! Good luck!!

 

[theodie]

Re: Repair question. Okay, don't make fun of me...

I like Gorilla glue!!! That stuff is SUPER strong!! It does bubble out alot though so,you have to stay on top of it.

 

[RushOfBlood]

Re: Repair question. Okay, don't make fun of me...

you can also use rubber bands as a supplement to clamps

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Repair question. Okay, don't make fun of me...

Thanks for the tutorial. I appreciate all the help. I paid about $140 with shipping. The company insisted on sending me a new one. They felt pretty bad about it. I asked if I could keep the broken one but they need it back as proof. I really would have liked to have tried to fix it. The break was really clean and everything fits back together real nice. :burnout: :cool3: