Barrie, This is a very nice repair that works well, I have never done it on site, always seemed an easier shop job. Important to orient grain of insert horizontal not to end grain. Good post. Mark Ritchie RPT Cols, OH In a message dated 97-01-07 14:45:00 EST, you write: << First take a rubbing of all pins, then release the tension of the base strings in the effected area, not necessary to release the tension on unaffected area. Pull out pins in the split section. With a V shaped cutting chisel the type you would use for your shims on a soundboard. Cut a groove approximately 25mm deep and 5mm thick you can use a router with the appropriate cutting tool. You will find your chisel cuts it easy Make sure that you remove at least two good pins which are not in the split area, take your groove from their to the end of the bridge. Cut a piece of Beech in to a V shape and saw to the appropriate length. Make sure that the V shape piece is deeper than the 25mm groove and that the angle of descent of the V is the same as the groove. Mix some epoxy resin. Place the epoxy resin on your Beech Shim and tap down in to place with the shaft of your hammer, take four strings of equal spacing and reattach to the hitch pins and apply equal tension. This will ensure, that the shim stays in place and well bedded down. Remove any excess glue being careful not to get any on the strings let it dry. Remove tension from base strings and plain down the excess shim,( or cut with a knife or chisel) smooth off. Re burnish the area reposition your template you made earlier with the rubbings use a needle punch and punch the positions for the bridge pins. Measure old bridge pins and pilot holes to the appropriate size, not forgetting to drill at a slight angle to introduce side angle. I find a hand drill much easier to control than using an electric drill. Knock the old pins back in to place or use 1" new ones file pins off replace strings pull up to tension. If you've done it right no one will ever know you were their. There should be too faint glue lines and if you have chose your materials wisely it should blend in nicely I gave beech just as an example hope that makes sense. If you do not have a V shaped cutting chisel make one, out of an old screwdriver Barrie, >>
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