Hi, I have a cheap tourist oud that I like and would keep.
issue: there is a split in the back between two ribs, it is about 10 cm long and seems to get longer.
fact: by applying some pressure on the bowl, the two separated parts (1mm separation now) go back to how they are supped to be.
question: how would I glue them back together using simple tools?
thank you
Chaldofernandraynaud - 6-15-2012 at 01:09 PM
The oudmakers will probably respond with better ideas, but one way is to apply glue to the edges and tape it "shut" with an elastic type tape that
will keep applying force at the joint, like vinyl electrical tape. The type of glue depends on what's already there on the wood. They usually use hide
glue, not because it's trendy or organic but because it's cheap. I know liquid hide glue has its haters, but I can't see the normal player having to
buy a glue pot. Anyway let someone else wash your brain about glue types, I'll be happy if the taping works for you.
But have you thought of keeping the crack and using the oud in special ways?. Like selling it to some simple folks after demonstrating that it's a
magic ATM oud, that money comes out of that crack? Brian Prunka - 6-15-2012 at 02:03 PM
Hopefully one of the luthiers will give you detailed instructions, but based on your description this is not too challenging a repair.
You should be able to effect a decent repair with some parchment paper or a small piece of very light canvas, some glue (preferable hide), and some
painter's tape, I expect. chaldo - 6-15-2012 at 07:06 PM
we all dream about such oud! thanks for the tape trick.
Thanks also Brian, but how to use parchment paper and the tape?Brian Prunka - 6-16-2012 at 05:59 AM
Instead of just putting glue on the crack and hoping for the best, you put glue on a small piece of parchment paper inside the bowl across the crack.
Hide glue works best since it shrinks a bit as it sets, make it a tight fit.
Get the parchment paper from an arts and crafts store or similar, not the kind used for cooking (that kind is usually coated in wax).
Use the painter's tape to pull the bowl back together, then add the paper inside. Painter's tape won't leave any residue on the finish.
Electrical tape can work, but it is elastic and will often stretch in response to force rather than apply force as Fernand suggests. You'll also
have to clean off the residue (no big deal, but it depends on what was used to finish the bowl of the oud--you don't want to take the finish off as
well).
You can mix hide glue yourself with an improvised double boiler (a small pot or cup of glue placed inside a larger pot of water).
A good suggestion I was given was to use a baby food warmer, it doesn't boil, it just gets to the right temp. for mixing hide glue. chaldo - 6-16-2012 at 09:34 AM
That is very useful! thank you a bunch my friend. I am sure it will give great results.
Hope you get those strings soon.
merci encore
fernandraynaud - 6-16-2012 at 03:42 PM
... or if you don't have a glue baby boiler, you can look for FRESH liquid hide glue at the hardware store.
Make sure the expiration date is far in the future, as it has a finite shelf life. Some say that the liquid hide glue is a little weaker than the hot
kind, others curse and moan at the very mention of its name, though manufacturer's data indicates quite decent strength. But since this is not a very
demanding join anyway, and the liquid glue doesn't require the boiler glue baby, it is likely quite strong enough. chaldo - 6-16-2012 at 08:18 PM
Hi Fernand, thanks for the tip, I got this one off eBay
yuhuu