---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment >Although I understand the reason, for insuring that the ivory is securely >re-glued before attempting repairs to a hairline crack, I still don't >understand the actual procedure for re-gluing a partially loosened ivory. >I'm assuming that "Wicking" means, somehow, "drawing" glue back underneath >the partially glued ivory without actually having to completely remove >the ivory itself (?)If so, what's your method for "Wicking/drawing" >glue back underneath a partially glued ivory? I locate a loose front by tapping with a fingernail. Sometimes it's only one corner on the head or the front or back edge of the tail. Closer scrutiny is done by applying light pressure and seeing if there is any give to the joint at the overhang. Thin the glue to water consistency. I use a pallet knife to apply a bead of glue under the overhang. Lightly lifting on the loose edge will allow the glue to wick into the cavity. Coaxing with the blade speeds up the process. Clamp with a heated caul, either metal or wooden. I have used plain water and a heated caul to reactivate the glue once on a set but it left a shadow under the key where the water had wicked in. That is why I mix titanium oxide (showhite) with the glue. 1:5 while dry, then add the water. This week I'll be reattaching the majority of loose heads on a keyboard. I'm useing Stephen Birkett's suggestion of heating the ivory and clamping with a wooden slat. I've done a few singles this way already and it works well. I cut the slats slightly narrower than the heads so that I can clamp lateral stabilizers to the sides. I hate it when the ivories start skating around. These will not be flat pallets but rather concave, '--------------'; having only the front and back edges positioning the ivory will allow for glue squeeze-out in the center. I have yet to fabricate these. I won't need a whole set, because the glue should be set up enough to remove the initial ones as I progress along the keyboard. Regards, Jon Page, piano technician Harwich Port, Cape Cod, Mass. mailto:jonpage@comcast.net ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/bf/8f/4a/fb/attachment.htm ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
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