Fixing wood brake

[mbevington]

I broke off a foot and would like to try and save my carving. The foot is not completed yet and I would like to know if I could glue the foot back on? If I glue the wood will I be able to still carve that section, and if I stain it will the glue show up? If I can't glue it are there any other options?
Thanks
Mark

[carver6]

Don't know what the break looks like but if it is broken along the lines of the wood grain and can be put back in place fairly easily, I'd try to glue it. Elmers glue works pretty well if it can be clamped. You can also use Gorilla glue, which does a good job. Most of the epoxys work well, (some in just a few minutes). However, no matter how quick they work, I'd let it set undisturbed for a few hours, to let the glue set up. If you can reposition it close enough, you should just have a line showing. If it shows too much you can always paint it.
Garon

[Colin-Partridge]

Here is a copy of my reply to a similar thread back in 2003 hope it is of some help

I know just the stuff you are looking for I aquired some of it just last month. The product is called 'Raycrete' the original multimender. I had a carving that was about four feet tall and had developed a huge crack right through the centre of the eye and forehead and had gone the whole length of the carving. I purchased the two bottles one green and the other red they are sold as a pair for about $24 Canadian so I would guess about $15 US. It is incredible stuff, you mix them both together in equal amounts and then pour it into the crack or hole. It runs into even the smallest crack and then it starts to set up. You can carve it as it dry's and then when it is finally set up you can sand it paint it what ever. You can actually start carving into it in under half and hour of pouring. It is very strong and doesnt shrink. It is the best I have seen and has no harmful vapors. I highly recommend it. You can check it out on line just by typing in the name Raecrete. Good luck let me know if it works for you. Colin

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I fix broken pieces of basswood all the time with elmers carpenters glue...if there are little pieces missing, I sometimes just make a few minor carving modifications to take care of it or I have some "apoxie" two part that works great.....if there is strength required I might sometimes drill and use a toothpick or upwards in size in dowel ...whatever is applicable for that particular carving and again most time use the elmers carpenters glue, once dry, the wood will break before the glued joint

[GaryMc]

Hello Mark,
If the break is clean and goes back together well I just use super glue, let it set about 1 hr. and go to carving. you can carve through it and scrape it off where it might show. Try It.
GaryMc