What filler or glue to use to mend a few cracks on my "camping accordion"

[ben]

I am not meaning cracks in the bellows, (I think tape is needed for that) but a few small cracks on the body of the instrument. I badly need to tighten it up some.

 

[Ben-jammin]

Do you have pictures of the specific cracks?

 

[ben]

 

[Ben-jammin]

First one I would use a good wood glue and use clamp(s) to keep pressure and things in place on it until it dries. If you don’t intend to replace the bellows retention strap you could probably use 3m 4200 to fill those. I would try putting masking tape on the outside and apply the adhesive from the inside. The last one if it’s just letting air escape (not structural) I would try melting accordion wax and apply it on the inside of the accordion to fill the void.

 

[Glug]

I've used J-B Wood Weld Wood Epoxy to fix similar cracks.

J-B Wood Weld Wood Eposy : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

J-B Wood Weld Wood Eposy : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

www.amazon.co.uk

It depends really if there is a gap left when you press the bits back together, if there's no gap use wood glue. If there is a gap use epoxy as it will fill gaps - you can also use it to plug old screw holes etc.

I think I put a ratchet luggage strap round the accordion with thin softwood as packing to compress the crack until it set.

 

[debra]

The accordion case should fit together without needing any filler. But you will need a good glue: Titebond, with green label. (That is also used by accordion manufacturers.) You need to clamp the accordion case together while the glue dries. All should be fine after that. But... the celluloid outer shell will still show cracks. To fix celluloid you need a bit of celluloid of the same color. In this specific case this is hard as the celluloid has a bit of a marble pattern. You could try to soften the celluloid around the crack (using acetone), followed by light sanding and then polishing to get the shine back. Such problems are a good reason to prefer plain black celluloid-covered accordions. Plain black celluloid is quite common and you can repair cracks and other damage such that it becomes completely invisible that there was ever any damage.

 

[ben]

Thanks a lot for all your helpful input! @debra I am not looking to get every trace of repair gone, but rather to tighten up the instrument, and use it as my instrument for taking overnight camping or things like that. Try to be careful with it, but not a thousand dollars down the drain if it gets warm or cold too much. It's a beauty, and I would really like to get it working well.

 

[JIM D.]

With the grill removed force 5 min. epoxy in the cracks - clamp - then use rubbing alcohol to clean up the excess before the epoxy
dries. Wait 24 hrs. & remove the clamp or clamps. The repair will be permanent.

0.2 Oz. Single Use Quick Setting Epoxy Adhesive

Amazing deals on this Quick Setting Epoxy Adhesive at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[ben]

Thanks, I ordered some right away.

 

[Jomme]

Wood glue is amazing stuff, it looks like milk bit its very strong when dry...
When stressing glued parts they will nearly never break apart on the glued joint...
I saw different tests like the one below for other projects than accordion stuff but I was amazed...
Like in this vid: