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glue finger button

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2022 9:40 am
by Tim Jackson
My pearl inlay popped out of my finger button last night - A FIRST FOR ME. I guess if you play long enough sooner or later you see it all.
Any particular glue I should use? Looks like something clear was used before. CB50 valve set.

TJ

Re: glue finger button

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2022 10:08 am
by the elephant
If the "pearl" is plastic I use a two-part epoxy, which works well and is pretty much permanent. If it is actually a genuine mother of pearl inlay then I would use Automotive Goop as you can remove the pearl if you need to, but it won't come loose and the MOP won't absorb it. (It can be rubbed off with some persistence.)

Goop

Epoxy

Don't use any form of "superglue". It does not work well in this application. Do not use Gorilla Glue, either.

Re: glue finger button

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2022 10:22 am
by bloke
It seems as though every type of glue has something about it against which one can argue, whether it’s brittleness, deterioration, water-solubleness, or loosening - due to heat.
This is why – in past decades – pearls were press-fitted and swedged into finger buttons - with a tapered steel device, rather than glued in.

Though hot glue it isn’t perfect - and can turn loose, when subjected to considerable heat, I tend to choose it, because it’s more flexible - as finger buttons are constantly subjected to vibration and pounding. There actually is a higher grade of it (yellow in color) that holds better at higher temperatures, and is more reluctant to release. MTS – the case manufacturer – uses the yellow stuff on their upholstery.

Good luck. 😎