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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?
Ive used a couple different stewmac products with great results
stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-...n-filler/
stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-...per-glue/
quote:
Originally posted by Old HickoryWhy 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.
quote:
Originally posted by steve davisSuper 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 ebony). 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
quote:
Originally posted by howsy-beeI 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.
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...
quote:
Originally posted by banjeredSounds 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.
quote:
Originally posted by howsy-beeI 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.
quote:
Originally posted by banjeredSounds 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 .
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.
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.
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
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
quote:
Originally posted by writerradI 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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