Household Repairs Note. If a good instrument is damaged, let an expert repair it. Anything you do may alter the tone. On inexpensive instruments proceed as follows.

Dents in metal parts. Where possible to do so, place a wood block on the concave side of the dent and tap the reverse side lightly with a block of wood or, preferably, a rubber mallet. In cases where it is impossible to do this, solder a short length of stout copper wire to the center of the dent. Grasp the end of the wire with pliers and pull out the dent. Then melt off the solder on the instrument

Wood parts cracked. Coat edges of crack with Elmer's Glue-All and press them firmly together for five hours.

Plastic parts cracked. Coat edges with plastic-mending adhesive and press together firmly overnight.

Hole in accordion bellows. Cut small patch out of matching material or vinyl sheet. Coat back of patch and area around hole with rubber cement. Let dry, then apply a second coat of cement to patch and immediately press into place.

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November 21, 2008