[78-L] Playing a broken 78

Tue Apr 7 19:24:53 PDT 2020

The absolute master at gluing shellac 78s is Martin Fisher from MTSU's
Center for Popular Music.  I've seen his repairs where I could hardly see
the fix.
He uses Elmer's.  It is a water-soluble light duty craft glue.  Another
friend of mine is a genuine PhD archaeologist who digs in Biblical sites in
Israel and Egypt.  That's what those guys use to repair ancient clay pots.
The nature of the glue is such that if you screw up, a little water erases
your boo-boo and you're ready for Take 2.

I've watch Martin do this and have tried with limited success to reproduce
his results.  It can be done.
Some tips:
1-Elmer's.  Only.  Thinly apply with toothpick.  It takes very little, much
less than you would expect.  Try to avoid excess.
2-Be sure the record and the pieces are clean.  
3-If the disc is warped, try to flatten both the disc and the pieces,
otherwise it will never work.
4-work on a surface that will not hold the glue if it oozes out.  I used
plate glass; doesn't stick or tear if it does stick a little.  If it sticks
from oozing through the crack, you probably used too much glue to begin with
and you should consider a second try.  I've gotten by with a little oozing
at the outside rim, but otherwise oozing indicates it's a botched job.
5-Practice on as many junkers as you can before attempting the real fix on
something you really want to try to save.
6-rub the excess glue off the surface with your fingers.  For the final
touch, use a damp finger.  If done right, it will play with your best
cartridge.

Failing that, wait for Martin to weigh in with the golden touch.  I'm sure
I've missed something.

Rodger Holtin
78-L Member Since MCMXCVIII

For Best Results Use Victor Needles

-----Original Message-----
From: 78-l-bounces at klickitat.78online.com
[mailto:78-l-bounces at klickitat.78online.com] On Behalf Of Doug Duncan
Sent: Tuesday, April 7, 2020 7:03 AM
To: 78-L Mail List <78-l at klickitat.78online.com>
Subject: [78-L] Playing a broken 78

Since I'm ever so locked down at present I was sorting and correcting the
database of records that I have and trying to remove duplicates entries and
so on.

Sadly, I encountered a small number (so far) of discs that have broken in
the storage box they were in. Some are likely to be replaceable. Some will
not be missed. One I would like to replace but in the mean time I plan to
try and glue it back together so that I can record it and clean up the
recording with Audacity. The subject is a Muddy Waters Chess disc 'Don't Go
No Farther' bw 'Diamonds At Your Feet'.

I've never tried this before. I see from posts of long ago that Elmers Glue
is the preferred material. I've never seen that but I'm taking it to be a
white craft glue and I'll manage to find something similar.

There are , however, a number of questions about technique. Do you coat the
whole of the edge? Or just the ends. There would seem to be a risk that the
glue will fill the groove to some degree particularly where the break is
actually along the arc as is the case here. Do you wash off the excess? When
you play it are you planning to dig out the remaining excess with the
stylus? Is it better to do that before it has fully hardened?

What risk is there that the repaired disc will damage the stylus? Shall I
use a semi disposable microgroove stylus first?

One exponent on you tube stated that what you should do is lay it up on
cooking foil so that the disc doesn't stick. Is that a sensible thing or an
old wives tale?

If anyone can provide an insight I'll be most grateful.

Best Regards,

Doug

--
Doug Duncan

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