Cracked Side

[FranklinD2]

Hi People, New to the forum. My Guild D35 fell off a stool (inside the unlatched case). Landed on it's side. I now have a nasty 12 inch crack, actually 2 parallel cracks about a half inch apart running length wise along the kerfing on the top side piece. I saw the wire trick online with the tuner clamp. Is this the only/best method for the repair?

[Diane Kauffmds]

I'm assuming you're talking about the Stewmac crack repair tool. I have this set of tools and although the concept is a good one, I've had problems using the tuner. The tuner that they use has a slot to hold the wire. It's hard to keep the wire on the tuner, because it slips out of the slot. Why in the world they designed it with a slot instead of a hole, like any other tuner is a mystery.

Since this just happened, I assume the cracks are closed. Since the cracks are in the side, you can flood them with CA glue. Make a couple of cleats and install them on the inside. You really don't need a tuner. If you can't reach the cracks through the soundhole, use a thin wire, like an old treble E, and thread it through the crack from the outside, to the soundhole. Attach a cleat and pull.

On the outside, flood the cracks with thin viscosity CA glue. Once dry, sand them level and apply finish. You'll never see the cracks.

[tippie53]

Stewmac toy is not what you need
Super glue and tape. In fact as Dianne points out if they close clean you can hold them closed one at a time

[FranklinD2]

thanks for the tips. I'll be posting my progress and perhaps a photo. Happy New Year!

[FranklinD2]

Photo of crack.

[FranklinD2]

Having trouble getting photo on.

[tippie53]

you may need to make a few more posts. It is an anti spam program here so do a few atta boy posts and I can clear them then you should be able to post pics and then we can help you better

[FranklinD2]

Hey folks, I got the cracks glued back together and touched up the finish. My baby has a battle scar now but she plays just fine. thanks for your input. I'm now in the middle of building a dreadnaught. going well so far. I'm at the binding /purfling stage now, and will be starting the neck when that is done. My photos are in my phone, I'll see if I can get them on here.

[Diane Kauffmds]

Congratulations! Hope to see your build photos.