Cracked wood bottom mag question?
 

Have a very nice wood bottom mag. Serial # 8523 i . Metal is near mint, but somehow cracked the wood on the old girl, and was wondering what is the best thing to use to repair the crack? Wood Glue? Any other suggestions?

Thanks all!
Reggie

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I have use exterior Elmer's wood glue (yellow color, not white...) and then I jam tooth-picks or small nails (or thin shim stock) in between the wood edges and the inside of the metal tube to help push the repair/crack tight together while the glue sets up. Let that go for 24 hours.

Try to work glue deep into the crack with a small tool of some sort as well before you "clamp" the repair together...there by trying to get glue down into the crack as much as you can.

Use a damp rag to wipe any excessive glue away before the glue sets up.

I would consider Pete's advice sound except for the glue..You might consider a glue called Gorrilla glue. It's available at most hardware stores, expensive though...The trouble with these is oil penetration. Most wood bottoms have had some exposure to oil at one time and this makes them poor candidates for any type of glue.
Perhaps Hugh Clark has a sure fire method? Hugh?
Jerry Burney

Thanks so much guys! Look forward to hearing more feedback.

I have had Gorrilla Glue expand upon drying, so use a tiny bit and clean any excess immediately... I actually quit using it, because it was such a pain, although it works very well. I usually use Elmers wood glue when I am restoring funiture.

Ed

First, You are wasting your time unless you remove the bottom from the mag and lightly sand the surfaces to be glued. Then I apply a light coating of crazy glue JEL t both surfaces, clam pieces together overnight, before reinstalling the bottom. TH

I agree with Ed & Lugerdoc. However, if you are afraid of removing the bottom, then squeeze some regular super glue into the crack and use Pete's method to squeeze the two pieces together. Actually, the oil in old wooden grips & stocks is usually Linseed oil, which is a "kicker" for super glue and makes it set up faster.

An interesting experiment: Take some sawdust from old oil soaked wood (like when checkering Luger grips!) and make a little pile, then drop some super glue on it. It will instantly set up and get so hot that you can actually see smoke rising from the pile! :eek:

Hugh, That's good to know! Most US superglues are about 10% superglue. I get some stuff out of Germany that is more along the line of 80% and the difference is amazing. I also use a catalyst before I glue oil soaked leather. I had never been able to glue leather before finding this stuff.
I agree with Tom, best to remove the plug and work on it. Working it in the mag is sure to lead to a poor fit.
Jerry Burney

I to have had problems like Ed with the gorrilla glue. If used make sure any excess cleaned off good as when it dries one hell of a mess is left. Like Ed said it expands quite a bit as well.

I have to admit I have never used the stuff...It's touted as the World's strongest glue but I am glad to know of it's poor charecteristics.
Good thing about the Forum, alway's someone out there with experience!
Thanks, Jerry Burney

The yellow Elmer's wood glue is really great.

I use it when assembling Japanese shoji screens.

If you try to pull the joint apart after it cures with time, you usually splinter the wood grain near the joint but the glued joint just not come apart.

I usually will not try to take the wooden bottom out of the tube...especially if it is a "virgin" magazine and never has had its retainer pin removed before.

When buying magazines, I will usually look for evidence of such pin removal and will not buy it.

Guys here on the Forum are probably experts and can do so without such evidence...I cannot...so I use the "glue in place" repair with a cracked bottom.

Thanks for all the advice guys! Me and super glue don't get along very well! (Long story) Think I'll try the yellow Elmers glue.

Thanks again!
RG
:bigbye:

On the other hand, when we lived in Palouse, I made some shelves and a display case, all out of solid oak, used Gorilla glue and screws. I wanted it solid enough that if my sisters kids came over, they could climb them. I hope the new owners never try to remove them, they'll have to take the wall down... ;)

ed

I also agree with Ed. Gorilla glue is a fantasticly strong glue, but it sticks to everything, including your fingers, and cleanup is a pain. When it expands it turns a creamy white colour, and even if you wipe away the excess, the line will be visible on the mag bottom. I use this glue sparingly in the construction of my cases, and certainly not anywhere I don't want the glue line to show. I use Titebond (similar to Elmers) Yellow wood glue for most joins, it dries darker and the seam is less visible.

Dok :)