Repair of very large crack
Drilling holes for the pins
The holes are drilled across the crack in a zigzag pattern for the strongest hold.
Pin holes Drilled
This crack ran the full length of the top joint. There are many pin holes not pictured.
Installing Pins
This photo shows the older style threaded steel pin. I am now using carbon fiber instead.
Filling pin holes
The holes are filled with grenadilla sawdust and superglue.
cracks sealed
The holes are filled, and the cracks are sealed.
Filing
The excess material is filed flat.
Polishing
The wood is sanded and polished.
Tonehole Inserts
The damaged toneholes are drilled out, and replacements are cut. These ones are grenadilla wood matching the material of the oboe. Now I usually use hard rubber.
Toneholes finished
The toneholes are glued in, and carefully sized to match the originals.
Hiding Pin holes
Wherever possible the pin holes are hidden underneath keywork.
Finishing touches
The pads are replaced to fit the new toneholes, and final adjustments are complete. It is hard to tell that there are over 18 pins and 8 tonehole inserts on this oboe.