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Broken Buttons: bone replacements. |
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| For many old instruments, it is now impossible to get identical replacement buttons. They were usually either bone, ivory or plastic. Modern bluegrass style buttons are usually too large. It is even difficult to raid other old instruments, as the buttons often crumble as they come off. The only option is often to fashion my own replacements in bone or sand down a new resin button to the required size and shape. | ||
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| I start with a piece of bone, nut material, a little bigger than the button I need to make. | It is roughly shaped on the band saw/disc sander or with a hacksaw.. | Afterwards it is shaped more accurately with a file to the required size. |
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| A 3mm hole is drilled by hand ro with a dremel for mounting on the spindle. | To prevent slipping, many old spindles are squared off, so a square needle file and some time is needed to achieve a square hole. | Finally the newly sanded and polished button is glued in place. The bone can be stained to match the colour of the original buttons. (Cold tea works well) |
| New buttons available in most luthier suppliers. If you need help, drop me a line on the Contacts Page. | ||