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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2019
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    Brisbane
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    807

    Default Help: my son broke his Ukulele

    Hi,

    My son dropped his Ukulele and now there is a big crack in the neck.

    It looks like I could just glue it back together but would like to get some further advise how to do it best and what glue best to use.

    I am mainly worried as there is stress on it from the strings. The strings actually bend the crack open so I am not sure if glue will hold it. Currently I have released the stress for now.

    Thanks in advance



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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
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    back in Alberta for a while
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    68
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    Default

    I've never built a Uke so I don't know if one uses a thrust rod to resist the bending moment of the strings.

    that said, to re-glue that crack I suspect that you will need a structural epoxy adhesive with a reasonable open time (i.e. don't use 5 minute araldite)
    when mixing try to ensure that you scrape the sides of the mixing container so that the mix is not starved of one of the components.
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Strathalbyn South Australia
    Posts
    1,141

    Default Help: my son broke his Ukulele

    It doesn’t look to be to hard to glue up. You will have no issues with PVA holding it together. Use a fine paint brush to get the glue in to the larger part of the crack then a piece of fishing line to work the glue further in to the fretboard. The fishing line is used like flossing your teeth, a nice long piece moved from side to side to push the glue further in. Then clamp overnight by wrapping with paper then electrical tape over the paper. With such a large surface area, the glue will hold against string tension with out a problem. Many luthiers would use the same method on steel string guitars without hesitation.
    You may have to use a little wood filler to clean up any gaps and touch up the red paint.
    There is no truss rod in it either.
    Cheers Cal

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    blue mountains
    Posts
    4,882

    Default

    I have fixed a couple of those with slow set epoxy. The 5 minute stuff sets too quick so you do not have time to get things lined up and clamped. For now take the strings off and put a paper bag over the break to keep it clean until you have time to do the job. It will need to be clamped to something perfectly strait along the fret board so it sets strait. Some masking tape along the fret board to keep the glue off it is a good idea . You will need a few clamps, the 2 part epoxy glue, a strait flat bit of wood to clamp it too and a hair drier or heat gun. Warming the wood first helps the glue get right in to the cracks. A small brush or stick can be a help too. Get the glue in , clamp to the wood and let it rest overnight. Sand the glue squeeze out flush with the neck profile and then some red paint or something to hide the repair. You may need new strings as the ends may be too short to get back on.
    Regards
    John

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Bega NSW
    Posts
    131

    Default

    Please do not use epoxy. I usually use hot hide glue as first choice for repairs, second choice original Titebond. Hide glue is reversible if you screw up and is easier to clean up, but Titebond is fine for this job and I would probably use that. It looks like an easy fix, there is no truss rod. Open the break a bit and get some glue in there with a brush, and as suggested above fishing line may be a good idea as well. Clamp using a straight edge on the fingerboard and wait over night. Next day clean up, and do what ever is necessary to disguise the repair.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    807

    Default

    Thanks for all the advise. I glued it with wood glue and clamped it to a straight board. Used masking tape to keep thinks clean. Instead of fishing line I only had dental floss. Great tip though. Got it really deep into it.

    Turned out quite well. I am not going to to do anything to mask the crack. I will probably make it worse. And my son is 7 so it will not be the last damage, but at least we do not need to buy a new one.

    Thanks


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  8. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Strathalbyn South Australia
    Posts
    1,141

    Default

    Just like a new one! Great job! Just in time for the school holidays, enjoy his music!

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