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Sep 21, 2024 - 7:28:34 AM
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howsy-bee

Switzerland

1045 posts since 8/16/2003

I have decided to extract the spikes in a banjo and put new and different ones in very slightly displaced holes. So, before drilling, I need to fill the holes with something not prone to caving in in case a new hole is too near. Question: Has anybody ever used the baking soda / superglue trick, but with ebony dust?

Sep 21, 2024 - 7:33:15 AM

18 posts since 7/9/2024

Yes, I have. Not for that specifically but for filling in grooves on the nut. It's very strong and looks good. Pack the little holes with ebony dust first and then touch it with super glue.

Sep 21, 2024 - 8:03:30 AM
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80457 posts since 5/9/2007

Super glue can be a bit of a chore to clean up mistakes and there's the time factor.
I would make a paste of ebony dust and Titebond.

Sep 21, 2024 - 8:05:10 AM
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15956 posts since 6/2/2008

Why do that when real wood is quick, easy and inexpenive?

I use round toothpicks. Push them into the hole. Cut off at the surface. Scrape smooth. Touch the exposed end with black "Sharpie" (or whatever brand of permanent marker is sold in your country).

Glue optional.

Sep 21, 2024 - 8:18:34 AM
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1910 posts since 11/10/2022

Ive used a couple different stewmac products with great results

stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-...n-filler/

stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-...per-glue/

Sep 21, 2024 - 8:44:16 AM
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howsy-bee

Switzerland

1045 posts since 8/16/2003

quote:
Originally posted by Old Hickory

Why do that when real wood is quick, easy and inexpenive?

I use round toothpicks. Push them into the hole. Cut off at the surface. Scrape smooth. Touch the exposed end with black "Sharpie" (or whatever brand of permanent marker is sold in your country).

Glue optional.


Thanks everybody for their prompt input! 

I have use the toothpick method when structure was not a concern, but I wasn't sure if the hole was really filled up, as the splinter probably wasn't a perfect cylinder. And the marker black is not really the black of the ebony. So, I was looking for an alternative without these drawbacks.

Sep 21, 2024 - 9:31:26 AM
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224 posts since 9/1/2020

Yes. Super glue and ebony dust is the best way to go.

Sep 21, 2024 - 10:52:22 AM
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4521 posts since 6/15/2005

quote:
Originally posted by steve davis

Super glue can be a bit of a chore to clean up mistakes and there's the time factor.
I would make a paste of ebony dust and Titebond.


I've done this many times. It 's an easy fix, cleanup is no problem, and the results are indistinguishable from the surrounding wood (unless your fingerboard is rosewood instead of ebonysmiley). I get the ebony dust by using a small, fine file on the top of an old, disused bridge.

Edited by - arnie fleischer on 09/21/2024 10:53:46

Sep 21, 2024 - 12:38 PM
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15956 posts since 6/2/2008

quote:
Originally posted by howsy-bee

I have use the toothpick method when structure was not a concern, but I wasn't sure if the hole was really filled up, as the splinter probably wasn't a perfect cylinder. And the marker black is not really the black of the ebony. So, I was looking for an alternative without these drawbacks.


In that case, I prefer the mixture of ebony filings and wood glue rather than super glue.

Years ago, I bought an ebony hair stick on eBay for maybe $2 just to have a source of ebony dust, filings, or splinters should I ever need any. I've never used it, but I suppose I will someday.

Sep 21, 2024 - 2:45:13 PM
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224 posts since 9/1/2020

I make pure ebony dust all the time, so I just keep a jar of it on hand.
You guys shouldn't be afraid of super glue though. It's really the best thing to use.
Not only is it transparent, it has a very low viscosity and will penetrate into small holes as well as cracks.
I've used it for spike holes, fretboard chips, cracks, fill & re-drill, ebony binding, and even filling around inlays. It dries fast and has a similar hardness to ebony, so it won't cause a drill bit to drift back to the original hole when re-drilling just a couple mm's over.
When I say I've done this, it's not just a few times. I do this all the time.
Put a little masking tape around the hole if you're afraid of making a mess...


 

Sep 22, 2024 - 4:53:14 AM

4954 posts since 10/13/2005

Sounds like many of us could use an "ebony stick." Who is going to volunteer an old used fretboard sawn into 1/2 in. sticks? banjered

Sep 22, 2024 - 7:33:48 AM

80457 posts since 5/9/2007

There's no "best" way.
Many choices for a fine result.

Sep 24, 2024 - 10:57:58 AM

15956 posts since 6/2/2008

quote:
Originally posted by banjered

Sounds like many of us could use an "ebony stick." Who is going to volunteer an old used fretboard sawn into 1/2 in. sticks? banjered


Just one of many examples on eBay. Not even the cheapest. But the plainest at such a low price.

Sep 24, 2024 - 5:20:30 PM

Fathand

Canada

12474 posts since 2/7/2008

quote:
Originally posted by howsy-bee

I have decided to extract the spikes in a banjo and put new and different ones in very slightly displaced holes. So, before drilling, I need to fill the holes with something not prone to caving in in case a new hole is too near. Question: Has anybody ever used the baking soda / superglue trick, but with ebony dust?


On ebony fingerboards, yes.  I use it to fill those holes as well as filler around inlays, to repair chipped fret slots and lately have had decent results repairing fretboard divots.

It takes nothing to level sand the filler in a spike hole with #600. I recently did that same job on a RB800.

Rosewood dust does not work as well in a rosewood board, it becomes too dark. I use Padauk dust in rosewood or bloodwood boards.

Sep 24, 2024 - 5:25:29 PM

Fathand

Canada

12474 posts since 2/7/2008

quote:
Originally posted by banjered

Sounds like many of us could use an "ebony stick." Who is going to volunteer an old used fretboard sawn into 1/2 in. sticks? banjered


There is usually lots of ebony bits left over after cutting the fretboard out of the blank. 

If you need to source a small amount of ebony, better wood stores have turning squares or pen blanks .

Sep 25, 2024 - 5:58:08 AM

80457 posts since 5/9/2007

I made quite a few bridges from going to my local luthier's shop and asking if I could have maple and ebony from their trash.
I also did business with them over the years,too.Bought my StewMac Vintage kit through their store so that when it arrived the shop could look it over for quality issues,if any.
I also bought my pristine tb-2 from them.

I highly recommend cultivating a good relationship with your local luthier.

Sep 25, 2024 - 8:56:31 PM

224 posts since 9/1/2020

Next time you level an ebony fretboard, just scoop up the dust and keep it in a jar. That's what I do.

Sep 25, 2024 - 8:58:48 PM

224 posts since 9/1/2020

I'd agree that there's no definitive "right way", but there is a best way. And it's the way that yields the best results.

Sep 28, 2024 - 4:56:06 AM

48 posts since 7/20/2017

Go to an art store (if such things still exist), buy an artist's charcoal drawing stick. Then grind a little of the charcoal up, mix with epoxy and fill the hole. Blacker than black, and quite solid. I used this mix to set inlays in ebony fingerboards when I was still doing that stuff. Works a treat.

Might work with superglue as well. Easier to find than random pieces of ebony.

Sep 28, 2024 - 6:01:46 AM

80457 posts since 5/9/2007

Next time you replace a bridge save the old one for the ebony in the top.
Doesn't take much to make some dust for a tiny hole.

The glue isn't very important.Elmer's white glue would work,also.

Edited by - steve davis on 09/28/2024 06:03:46

Oct 18, 2024 - 6:35:34 PM

54 posts since 5/10/2016

I would use an ebony sliver to fill the hole, get a good tight fit, apply medium viscosity super glue to the ebony sliver and push in place. After it is dry, won’t take long, trim flush to the fretboard.
Jim

Oct 23, 2024 - 11:05:38 AM

10 posts since 6/25/2013

I love using ebony dust and water thin super glue to fix any defect in ebony. Works great to install pearl inlays and as someone else said, it's almost undetectable when finished. I make fine ebony dust using 220 sandpaper, pack it into the defect, and then carefully drip water thin super glue over the dust. It wicks in and hardens almost immediately. You can then use a fine file, or my favorite mini scraper made from a single edge razor blade to scrape it flush. Take a single edge razor blade and strike the edge against a cast iron tool. I use the base of my drill press. It creates a tiny burr that is an awesome controllable scraper. The other trick I learned is that you can use a q-tip with bowling alley wax to prevent the glue from going where you don't want it to if you need to. You could paint a little circle of wax around your the spike hole and the glue won't drip down the side of your neck and make you cry. Here's my super glue of choice. Lasts a lot longer if you keep it in the fridge. Bob Smith Industries BSI-131H Insta-Cure Thin Super Glue, 1 oz. a.co/d/iJXxjax

Oct 23, 2024 - 11:21:16 AM

10 posts since 6/25/2013

One last tip on the repair. Try four ought steel wool with a little woodwind bore oil or even clean motor oil to polish up the fretboard where you worked on it.

Oct 26, 2024 - 4:53:43 PM

346 posts since 5/27/2008

I just make small ebony splinters. Put a touch of thin super glue and drive them in.

Oct 30, 2024 - 6:36:10 PM

1272 posts since 10/23/2003

I have never understood the advantage of these spikes,

Perhaps they are required for bluegrass and its variations of pitching,

I have been playing the 5 string both 2, 3, and frailing for 26 years, and on most banjos I just adjust the tuning of the 5 string, although on one or two I use a slightly smaller sized 5th string than normal for a set.

Also when I install a new set of strings, even if I dont get a lighter 5th string, I usually tune the fifth string up to A when I change the strings or change the 5th string and let it get set there, while the other strings are setting. It get used to being struck to A, The one or two times I have had to go up to B, I have done likewise with the 5th string the night before. 

Have spikes on two of my banjos, one I have had for 17 years, but never used them.

Edited by - writerrad on 10/30/2024 18:39:30

Oct 30, 2024 - 6:48:08 PM

292 posts since 1/7/2021

quote:
Originally posted by writerrad

I have never understood the advantage of these spikes,

Perhaps they are required for bluegrass and its variations of pitching,


If you can tune up to A or B and back down again a few times a night without issues, then they are indeed useless.

I got sick of breaking strings and having to retune the other strings, so installed spikes.

Edited by - A Drum On A Stick on 10/30/2024 18:53:20

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