Old Hamilton studio bridge cracks

[David Renaud]

Dan Eumurian wrote:

>  I lowered tension,
> repositioned stagger pins, treated with CA glue, raised pitch after a
> few days, and tuned, but in both cases the problem came back.
>

I have never used CA glue on an open crack,
& have doubts it would fill very well???First: Recap is best

Secondly: A valid option for low budget, cheaper, and/or
               older instruments......I would remove all the pins in the
damaged area, fill with a goodstong high grade epoxy that can fill and
have strength.
 Put the pins back in after the epoxy,
clean up after it well. This won't budge again.

Epoxy test: Take two pieces of scrap pinblock,
                  leave surface smooth, do not sand
                  place .5 inch apart on paper
                  Build dams with tape
                  fill cavity with 24hr industrial strength epoxy
                  next day--- attempt separation.

My results: Put one in vise clamp and used large force
                 snapped a chuck of Bolduc pinblock in two
                 but not at the glue seam  , the glue
                 is still firmly grasps most of both surfaces.

The bridge should stay in one piece,
may crack somewhere else but not at the epoxy.

                                             Dave Renaud
                                             RPT
                                             Canada