Violin Forum/Message Board

oldguy · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:21 pm Post subject: Violin form to do repairs

This might be a dumb question, but here it goes. I saw a guy on youtube that does repairs/restorations and he put the top plate in a form to support the wood when he clamped the cleats on the cracks. So my question is, are the forms made to fit each violin, or does one size fit all. It looked like it was made maybe from plaster? Any one know. I have had a few that the center seams have come apart and I have found it almost impossible to clamp them when the plates are off.

kjb · Super Member Joined: 06 Feb 2013 Posts: 385

yes a general form will work for 4/4 could be exceptions. I made mine from 1/4' aluminum plate. you use it also for fitting the bass bar. You also have a form that is around 3 or 4" thick to lay the violin in to work on it.
THen there is the form that you form fit with plaster. and maybe more that I don't know about.

Mat Roop · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 4:03 pm Post subject:

When glueing cracks, I usually use zipper cleats... here is brief description
https://www.violins.ca/forums/viewtopic.php?p=6131&sid=8c0b4b483466ec1ef678a7489772e482
I Find it is usually the best way to get everything to line up perfectly.
Cheers... Mat
Ps... here is another link to glueing cracks
http://hudelmayer.com/about-me/articles/hold-on-tight-the-strad-nov-2001-article-on-crack-repair/

L P Reedy · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 4:22 pm Post subject:

For center joins and full length cracks a plaster cast would be best. It would need to be made close, then scraped out to fit very well. The cast is really only needed for gluing the crack. Cleats can be clamped without it. I don't see how a bass bar frame would help. I have used zipper cleats with decent results.

oldguy · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 5:47 pm Post subject:

So with the plaster one, would you make a rough form (maybe wood) and then pour plaster in it, put a piece of saran wrap on top, and push the plate onto it until it sets? I have seen curved clamps available. Do they work?

oldguy · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 5:51 pm Post subject:

Actually, the clamps are available here.

FiddleDoug · Member Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 227 Location: Hilton, NY

"So with the plaster one, would you make a rough form (maybe wood) and then pour plaster in it, put a piece of saran wrap on top, and push the plate onto it until it sets? I have seen curved clamps available. Do they work?"

You loosely attach the plate to a board, cover it with a thin rubber or plastic sheet, build a dam around it, and pour the plaster over the plate. The are not often used for just routine crack repair, but are required if you want to to soundpost or other invasive patches, or if you are doing re-arching.
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oldguy · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 5:43 pm Post subject:

Ahhhh. That would work. Thanks.

Michael Darnton · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 7:06 pm Post subject:

When you see someone using a plaster cast for a minor job, it usually means he did something more invasive, as LP Reedy mentions. It's too much a bother to make one if you're not doing a big job, but once you have one, some people like to use them in the way of clamping cauls for other jobs.
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SooT · Member Joined: 18 May 2009 Posts: 74 Location: Devon, UK

Being that my daughter had never even held a tool when she started her violin and bow making journey, the first task she was given was a piece of wood and told to practice using the gouge to make a form to use to rest a violin on. She still has it and uses it. Being a viola lover, she also made one for viola too. Lined it with self adhesive green baise (or whatever you call it).

oldguy · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 4:57 pm Post subject:

Has anyone used those clamps? Just thought it might be worth making a form as I get a lot of violins that the center seam is coming apart.