[sdiy] Gluing Broken Keys Back Together?

[Adam Schabtach]

Trying to drill holes and insert reinforcing rods will likely make the
alignment between the broken parts worse than if you just glue them as-is.
Cyanoacrylate glues (e.g. Super Glue) require the two parts to fit as
precisely as possible, so you're likely to make the joint weaker if you do
anything that messes with its alignment.

I would do what someone else has suggested: super-glue the pieces at the
break, then laminate pieces of plastic or metal onto the back of the break
with epoxy. There is a special formula of epoxy for plastics that might be
helpful, but just the regular stuff will probably be fine.

--Adam

> -----Original Message-----
> From: synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl [mailto:synth-diy-
> bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl] On Behalf Of Ben Lincoln
> Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 9:08 AM
> To: Synth DIY
> Subject: Re: [sdiy] Gluing Broken Keys Back Together?
> 
> I was going to suggest something along these lines as well. If there is
> enough volume to the keys, use a very small drill bit (e.g. 1/32") drill
> holes into them, squeeze epoxy/superglue/etc into the holes, and embed
> something like a sewing needle between the two parts to bridge the
> actual break point. If there's not (or you're concerned about damaging
> them even further), then reinforcing with a rectangular piece of plastic
> in a non-visible part of the key works too.
> 
> It probably goes without saying, but if you can clamp the pieces
> together while the glue is drying, so much the better.
> 
> I'm sure it's been discussed extensively before, but it seems to me like
> this is one of the many areas that at-home CNC/3D-printing equipment
> will make a lot easier in the next 10-20 years. Why try to piece back
> together keys (or track down obscure replacements) when you can just
> manufacture your own?
> 
> Colin f wrote:
> > If it's a good clean break and the two parts fit back together tightly,
> use
> > superglue.
> > Then re-inforce the join on the back using two part epoxy, embedded a
> piece
> > of other material if you can fit it in.
> > A good tip for using superglue - it is actually a two-part glue, the
> > hardener being water.
> > Put superglue on one face of the join, then breathe on the other to make
> it
> > a little moist before pressing and holding together.
> >
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