Fixing a chip when inletting

[Gary Rad]

Hello, I was wondering if anybody could tell me how to fix a chip. I was inletting the toe piece and took a chip out.
Any help would be great
Thanks, Gary Rad

[Brian Jordan]

How big a chip? Pictures are also helpful.

[PPatch]

Gary;

If you have the broken off chip then gluing it back in with a wood glue such as Titebond will work. You have to do some test fitting first to figure out how best to clamp it once you have applied the glue. In other words you need to know beforehand exactly how you will secure it before gluing.

If you have lost the chip then it may be possible to make a replacement. If that is the case then photographs would help a great deal so we can guide you in the repair.

dave

[rich pierce]

May want to stain the piece before gluing.

[fahnenschmied]

If you still have it, glue it back.  Hide glue is great for this because it will accept stain and will not show so badly as Titebond or even epoxy.  You can use pure gelatin, available at some higher end grocery stores - its really strong, and sets quickly, too quickly for alot of things, but for sticking back something like this its great.  http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Luthier/TipsTricks/KitchenGlue/kitchenglue.html  Shrinks as it dries, so if you can hold it in place with a finger for five or ten minutes, or clamp it, etc, it will give a good joint.  If you don't have it, clean up the broken part with chisel or file to be as dead flat as possible, and make a patch, cutting the spare wood to match as close as you can to the grain direction. 

[Mike Brooks]

May want to stain the piece before gluing.

DING DING DING DING! Give the man a cigar!

[Mauser06]

If it's at the end of the toe plate....could make a longer one and cover it completely.

[Scota4570]

I keep medium viscosity CA on hand for this.  Glue it back in place.  I put a drop of glue, hold the chip down with a handy pointy thing, and spritz with accelerator.  Since there is no gap filled they are invisible after finishing, at least so far. 

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

...but stain it and the immediate area first, or you'll have a white line where the CA is.

[Eric Krewson]

If you do have a white line you can use a small brush and leather dye over the finish and cover it up then add a little more finish over the dye to lock it in place.


I make a little line, wipe it off, add another and so forth until I have a very good match.

[Scota4570]

"but stain it and the immediate area first, or you'll have a white line where the CA is..."

Ultra fine line black sharpie marker.  Shhhhhhhh.   

[Gary Rad]

Thanks for all the replies. I made a patch and it came out really good. Thanks again.
Gary Rad