Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > August 2003 > 2003.08.12 > 10Prev  Next


Softening Epoxy
By Craig Smith

Vincent Morgan wrote:

> A friend bought a barrel organ some time ago and discovered that the
> pipes were glued in with epoxy.  Does anyone know of a way to remove
> the pipes for repair without destroying the organ?  Is there a solvent
> for epoxy?

Hi Vince,  You friend has two problems.  The first one is to find
whoever used epoxy to 'fix' that organ so that he or she can be severely
reprimanded for using epoxy to ruin the organ.  Perhaps a little epoxy
applied between his fingers and toes would get his attention!

Addressing the problem (rather than the problem-maker), I see several
approaches.  Epoxy can be softened with heat and with chemicals.
I don't see him getting the wooden parts hot enough to soften the epoxy
but making them warmer will speed the action of the chemicals.  Watch
out for fumes.

There are products designed to remove epoxy (like "Attack"); search for
"epoxy remover".  However, several hours exposure to the chemicals in
paint stripper will usually soften epoxy.  I think that either acetone
or methylene chloride is the agent.

I'd try the orange stripper first to see if that less offensive stripper
would work.  If not, get a can of something like BIX stripper and try
that.  Cover it with plastic wrap[*] to reduce evaporation.  Either way,
it takes several hours to convert the epoxy to a thick colloidal mass.

If the offending repair person used the epoxy inside the hole instead
of just around the foot of the pipe, it may well be impossible to
remove it.  In that case, I'd carefully cut through the foot of the pipe.
The old hide glue should let him easily remove the remainder of the
foot from inside the bottom of the pipe.  With the top (pipe board)
removed from the chest, he can then drill out the epoxy and reshape the
hole to accept a new foot, turned from maple or basswood.

Before starting this process, he should ascertain that the 'epoxy'
isn't really shellac or hide glue or even white glue.

Good luck!  He'll need it!

Craig Smith
Rochester, NY, USA

 [ * The chemical fumes might dissolve the plastic wrap, too!
 [ Make some tests beforehand.  -- Robbie


(Message sent Tue 12 Aug 2003, 14:34:54 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Epoxy, Softening

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page