Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nathan Binns on July 20, 2015 at 8:08am

Oooh....I was not expecting that picture. DSC02928.jpg is not a violin. Violence maybe.

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on July 20, 2015 at 11:27am

Based on the photo, I would just say "Nice violin" and watch TV or something.

That is one nasty looking cut. Keep it clean and save.

As for dis-assembly of the violin, traditionally they were assembled with hide glue which is totally reversable with water. Just soak it til the glue softens and releases. If the modern variety used modern non-organic glues, then you may be screwed in terms of gently releasing the glue. Soaking in some harsh chemical such as acetone might soften the glue, but I hate to think of what it might do to the wood.

Do you need it apart with no damage?

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Permalink Reply by Greg Thompson on July 20, 2015 at 2:43pm

OUCH! That looks nasty.
All I can offer is sympathy, sorry.

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Permalink Reply by Bama Hound on July 20, 2015 at 5:55pm

Might be an old knife,but it still does what it is supposed to do. Ouch! I am with the rest on the water Drizzle hot tap water on seam. Let it sit a few minutes and try to find a weak spot to get it separation started. Finish material will keep water from getting to glue. Take the point of your old buddy to make a line at the joint before you apply the water.

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Permalink Reply by john mackay on July 20, 2015 at 10:44pm

that cut was done just before xmas last year.

it has healed up now with just a scare.

but it still hurt from time to time.

my thumb is not as flexible as it once was.

I plit the other violin  with this tool on the right of the picture.

I was pushing to tool towards my hand and it slipped.

why I chose to do this god only knows.

I went against my better judgement.

always work away from you when using tools

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Permalink Reply by Bama Hound on July 21, 2015 at 4:45am

John I was thinking you were a "stone cold cowboy"  jumping back in there with stitches in your thumb trying to get that violin top off. You were going to be my new hero.Since you are across the pond you can't get a purple heart. I hate it when that happens.( ;-D) I know it sounds good in safety class not to cut toward yourself, but ultimately not always can be done.Maim thing is strain. If you are under a strain your tool is dull or you are trying to do too much at one time.IMHO

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Permalink Reply by john mackay on July 21, 2015 at 6:24am

you are across the pond you can't get a purple heart!

wats wong wiv postin it!!

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Permalink Reply by JL on July 20, 2015 at 11:11pm

Hide Glue softens with heat, so maybe a hairdryer?

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Permalink Reply by emlas on July 21, 2015 at 1:25am

Heat and moist is what solves the hide glue. Steam is a good tool but just water and a hot blade will do the job. What you want is a THIN blunt blade that you heat up and try to squese into the joint with some water. If tou have a Sharp blade there´s a risk that you damage the Wood and the joining surfaces (or fingers!). It takes time and you need to work slowly. Patience is important! Google on some violin luthier pages! I guess there´s lots of info there. Ive only done this once so I´m not an expert.

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Permalink Reply by Clark Rowden on July 21, 2015 at 5:11am

Hi, lurked here for a while now and then, saw this so I joined to offer my two coppers.

I've used one of these and a putty knife to remove a fretboard before:

[url=http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sunbeam-Travel-Iron-GCSBTR-100-000/21810207]http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sunbeam-Travel-Iron-GCSBTR-100-000/21810207[/url]

Some even have steam pulse which is a plus.

Some interesting info on wood glues and luthiery:

[url=http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Luthier/Data/Materials/GlueTest/gluetest.html]http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Luthier/Data/Materials/GlueTest/glu...[/url]

Oh, and I can sympathize with you, my left thumb is just now starting to heal up after jabbing it with a putty knife removing a fretboard temp mounted to the neck with double sided tape 3 wks ago. I remember thinking right before it happened, "man your going to"... Didn't do quite as thorough a job as you did though, must have really ruined your day.

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Permalink Reply by gary herget on July 21, 2015 at 3:30pm

Put some vinegar in a syringe and stab and squirt all around and the glue will loosen.

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Permalink Reply by Skeesix on July 26, 2015 at 5:54am

I've taken off guitar backs before. I made a steamer from an old pressure cooker and some aquarium hose.  Then I used a palette knife, which is thin and flexible, and not sharp, to gradually open the joint. I doubt if the guitars I was working on used hide glue.

I just googled on this a bit and some people also use a cappucino maker with a hose or a Shark steamer.

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