Luthier Shorts #4: Flattening Antique Tortoise Shell

In this episode i demonstrate a 19th century method for flattening antique tortoiseshell.
The 4th in a series of shorts with tips, tricks and generally interesting things for the guitar builder and player alike.... from the workshop of a luthier in Antwerp, Belgium.
1800s Article on this technique - gluedideas.com/content-collect...
DISCLAIMER
The Hawksbill Turtle and other similar species are protected under CITES Appendix 1. Any trade in these species or products derived from these species is strictly forbidden.
The shell used in this video is antique and for personal use only. Any requests related to the acquisition of shell products will be reported to the relevant authorities.
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www.leddingtonguitars.com
/ g.leddington.guitars

[@antiquesmore7083]

Thank you

[@user-xn2zc9tm4m]

정말로 감사합니다. 덕분에 궁금중이 해결되었다.

[@LeddingtonGuitars]

물론이죠.

[@WoodfulProjects]

Hi, I’m trying to restore a small jewelry box made out of tortoise shell (quite an old box). Shell being mostly made of keratin/protein I was wondering if applying water in both broken edges and then pressing them together might work creating the bond (glue) the pieces together? Do you think it may work? Any idea of what kind of material to use to bond 2 pieces together? thanks a lot

[@LeddingtonGuitars]

Hi there! Water alone wont make the pieces bond back together, only to make the supple enough to get them back into shape... depending on how distorted those corners are i think i would probably use fish glue (like hide glue but you dont need to heat it, and also a similar dried colour to shell)... and tape to hold the corners in place while the glue dries. Good luck.

[@hankatmaggies8819]

If modern processes are allowed in your box restoration, you can use CA glue ( the thinned variety) to glue up edge delaminations. The thin CA will capillary to the layers to somehow stabilized the structure, clamp down fast upon application and then dress the surface down when cured and done. Late comment but hope it helps.

[@WoodfulProjects]

@@hankatmaggies8819 thanks. I went with fish glue and it worked. Not exactly the same color but you must really pay attention to see it. I thought about CA glue but the thing is that I’m afraid to spill some outside of the crack and it will be very difficult to get rid of it. The shell is kinda blackish and will be very visible. But you suggestion is totally worth it if the shell was of another color so thanks

[@aprillegat3507]

I know of historical references that say you can bond two pieces of shell together using just heat and pressure. I have been trying to recreate this effect with cow horn bur so far I have had no luck.

[@user-rx4kk8cs4r]

Is it possible to make with a freshwater turtle?

[@LeddingtonGuitars]

No idea... probably.

[@mandoist]

No. Any other type of tortoise or turtle is too soft.

[@user-rx4kk8cs4r]

@@mandoist Thank you for your advise

[@leipodoma]

It can be used but they doesnt contain that motif exactly