Headstock fracture repair question?

[RETROROD]

I have recently acquired a '55 Les Paul Jr with a 'typical' headstock 'fracture'. I guess you could call it a break, but it is a tight "u" type crack that is fairly closed unless exerting string tension pull on the headstock. I have researched many of the headstock break video/tutorials but am still questioning the best method of getting glue into such a tight crack before clamping.
I understand that hot hide glue is the preferred type to use. I have some and have used it to glue the bridge on my '48 GibsonSJ.
I would like to use the hide glue. I think that I would need to inject it with a syringe and needle as the crack is very tight and flexes open very little with forward-twisting pressue on the headstock.
Would anyone give me some advice or links to the best way/procedure to approach this repair?
My photo-hosting website is in a changover, so I am not able to send pics at this time. I am planning on getting another photo site ASAP.
Thanks so much, will give more info if needed.
Rod

[Thomas James]

I would clamp the guitar upside down while applying the glue to get gravity working. Consider using a small gauge guitar string to help plunge the glue deep into the joint while working it open and closed a few times before clamping the break.

[Steven D. Wilson]

Another trick I learned from an old repair guy to help get the glue in there is to cut up old 35mm film and use a narrow strip of the sprocket side to shove the glue in. The little sprocket holes seem to help distribute the glue and the film is very thin and can be inserted into the tiniest of cracks.

[RETROROD]

Thanks Steven! I might have a hard time rounding up some ol 35mm film. sounds like a good 'mover' of glue though. I am not looking forward to this repair. I will definitely be jumpy and edgy....Ha!

[Steven D. Wilson]

LOL - In this age of digital cameras I guess the old 35mm format is a dinosaur. I found some in a box of old photos we had. The developer would give you the exposed film back with the photos.

[Thomas James]

Just got back from Fotomat :)  Along the same lines you can fold/bend the guitar string in half to move more glue. With hide glue - I sometimes use those little cube style space heaters to create a warm zone.

btw - gotta love that wooden tuner key!

[RETROROD]

Yeah, the wooden tuner key is 'classic'. Gotta love the 'rescourefull-ness' of some people! Lucky for me that they didn't Grover or Schaller it....Ha!

[RETROROD]

Thanks, that sounds like a plan. Do you recommend hot hide glue? I will try to post a pic of the crack.

[Christian Johnson]

You may need to thin the hide glue down a bit to get it to run.  It should be a little thinner than fresh Tightbond.  Hit the whole area with a hair dryer and heat it up real good.

[RETROROD]

Gotcha! Thanks!

[Kerry Krishna]

You will be glueing the wood chip in at the same time?

[RETROROD]

Still thinking it through. That would be the time to do it with glue squeezing out? I will have to make a 'chip' as that piece was gone before I bought the guitar.