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Hi guys, one of our building tenant has asked me to repair his old mandolin, the back plate got unglued at the lower bout, when i squeeze the plate back on the box, it doesn't fit properly to the box, i thought that there must be a way to fix this by clamping the box from each side like an X and then pour some HHG and clamp the plate back on the box for a proper fit, what's your take on that? i am new at building so i'd like to make sure i'll be doing the right thing! TIA

Serge

Here are some pics of the mandolin














Thanks for looking!

Take ALL the tension off the top by de-tuning/removing the strings. My guess is the whole thing will resolve. Don't use HHG use titebond and clamp it well. Email me if you like dsb@siestakeyguitars.com
Dave-SKG38793.6555671296

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Hi Serge. You are on the right track with your plan. What will make it challenging is that there is little surface area in the upper bout to anchor your clamps on unless you make some type of cauls that make the area more parallel to the lower bout. You could span the entire length from the peg head with a bar clamp but would have to be careful with the clamping pressure. I think the clamping challenge this presents and the time required to assemble the clamps would make me want to consider something other than hide glue (Titebond perhaps). Sometimes the area doesn't flex back like you would expect and I have had to make a similar repairs working from one side, gluing and clamping smaller sections.   

Thanks Dave and Mark, i should have thought of taking the tension off the top at first and titebond sounds good also with that ackward type of clamping.Great advices guys!

Thanks

Serge