Martin Uke Repair: Depressed Fracture

[George Roberts]

I bought this uke years ago for $10 to 15 because of the extensive damage.  It has been in line, patiently awaiting repair.  The side cracks are both lengthy, but line up very well.  Hopefully they won't be too hard. 

The part that has made me shy away from this project is the "penetrating wound" with  a "depressed fracture" on the back.  Left to my own devices, I would secure a hard flat surface over the outside of the back, and then use a long burnisher on the inside, going with the grain and working from the ends toward the middle.

I would sure appreciate some help from others more experienced than I am.  I did look at Frank's repair of a uke with a similar crunch on the front, but I'm not sure how I could get a caul on either side of the back and get adequate pressure.

Thanks, George

[George Roberts]

Mark, Thanks for the tip.  Now, where the heck can I find a suction cup?

[Mark Pollock]

You can get suction cup darts at any Dollar store, or toy store. Or rough up one of the brats down the street and take his. :)

[Paul Breen]

George, you can still use hot hide glue. You will need to heat up the back to help your working time. I like using an infrared light bulb for this and just leave it on after heating, while doing the glue-up. Make your hot hide glue watery thin and apply a generous amount over the cracks. Work the cracks as much as you dare by pushing from the inside and out side, wiggling up and down to work the glue into the cracks. The water in the glue will swell the wood a bit and be self clamping. Give it a quick wipe with a wet towel when you think you've got it but don't worry about getting a lt of the glue cleaned up. This is easily taken care of after it's dried using hot water on a soft cloth. Judging from the pictures, you'll need to install a patch over the damage, on the inside to re-enforce the damage.

[George Roberts]

Paul,

Thanks again for all the advice.  I'll give it a try.