Tips for violin repairs?

[Thor]

I need a few tips on violin repairs.

I own 2 violins, one of which I started with in first grade as
my first musical instrument, and at age 55, I still own it. I had
both redone in the late 80's but the shop that did them is
long gone. I have built a lot of models, both plastic and balsa,
so I am pretty well set as far as tooling and basic skills.


Here is a list of the issues I need to fix.

Violin 1 needs to have the sound post reset and a new bridge
installed. Any tips on how to get the sound post in position? I
can hear it rattling around inside the body. I can grab it with
a hemostat but can't get it out. Is there some tool or trick to
get this into position? How do I determine the proper bridge
height?


Violin 2 has a crack in the finger board and the ebony board
has come unglued. The back is also loose and needs to be
reglued. I have removed that carefully and see the marks
where the sound post was installed. I can put a tiny dab of
glue to tack it on when reassembling it. I was going to use
Duco cement for the back and to reattach the fretboard.
I have used that on wooden ship models with good success.
Is that the right adhesive or should I consider another
product?

These are 'half size' if that is the right terminology, so I won't
be playing them, but they are visually nice so I would like to
fix them and hang them on the wall.

Also, is it difficult to replace the hair on the bow, or should I
send that out? If so, where is a good place for that?

Any and all tips much appreciated, thanks!

Olafur Gislason

[Matthew Tucker]

Ask the experts: http://www.maestronet.com - and if you get a good answer, see my sig.

[Thor]

Thanks, some good leads there.