Violin Forum/Message Board

[Geemac]

I have difficulty getting purfling into the slot. Even wet it ends up breaking it in a few places. So . . . . being an experimenter and not a purist, I've been wondering if anyone has ever used thick paper as purfling? I'm going to give it a try and will post what it's like to use paper in this thread. Thin plastic is a candidate too.
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GeeMac

[Michael Darnton]

Paper is more fragile than wood, and doesn't work as well. I think your purfling slot is too narrow, that's all.

[Dave Chandler]

Your purfling should fit dry in the slot. You can help this a little by gently scraping the downside corner edges of the purfling a bit so it slides into the slot a little easier. If it doesn't go in without a struggle, the slot, as Michael says, is simply too narrow at that point. I have a really small file that I can use to open the slot up a bit, but more often just carefully slice a little more wood out with my exacto knife.

If your purfling seperates (delaminates) even before putting it into the slot, you may have used too high heat in the bending process.

Once you've put the glue into the slot you have to work rather quickly before it everything swells shut from the moisture in the glue.

As an aid, I went to a local livestock feed/tack store and picked up a couple syringes which is really useful in putting the glue directly into the slot without slopping glue all over the surface. I keep a glass jar full of hot water to keep the tip in while working on the purfling. This keeps the glue in the needle from cooling and clogging, also keeps the glue in the syringe warm as well. Its also useful to rinse the needle and plunger before putting it away.
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Dave in the Blue Ridge
Southern Violin Association

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