Neodymium magnets are a great boon for many things- as others have pointed out, I have also used them at times for clamping cleats in place more easily than the tuner trick, as long as I have landmarks inside for positioning by feel- just want to be careful positioning cleat and inner magnet and then apply the outer one straight down rather than approaching from the side to avoid pulling the inner assembly sideways. One thing, though- when using magnets to align an initial crack glue-up, I now make a point of making sure I’ve got a bit of wax paper between the magnet and the guitar top to prevent the magnet from sticking to glue squeeze-out on the top of the instrument.

I love your technique! Several years ago I talked a music store manager into selling me a nice Alvarez guitar that had developed a crack in the top while hanging in a window display facing the street in front of his business. I paid $50.00 for the $500.00 guitar. I took it home and went to work on the crack. Having no clamps to get inside the sound hole, I worked some glue into the crack, then used rare earth magnets to clamp cleats on the inside. I have always been nervous that the magnets did not provide enough clamping force to properly adhere the cleats, but that was 7 or 8 years ago and I still play that $50.00 guitar every day. At least now if those cleats come loose, I know to drill some holes and make a tool like yours to make it right so my grandchildren can inherit that Alvarez some day!

I used to use the same method with a modified tuner and guitar string for cleating cracks back in the late 70's & early 80's, but now I find that using a pair of magnets for each cleat, I can do the job without making the tiny hole necessary for passing the string through the top. I use a little double stick tape to temporarily affix the cleat to the inside magnet. The ones I use are so strong that having the top and cleat between them still allows for plenty of pressure to "clamp" cleat to top.

Wow. So much ingenuity.

I don't know what kind of guitar enthusiast would dislike this video. Well done. Your patience is truly virtuous. I am getting much better at that and my work - in fact, my entire life- has benefited because of it. Keep up the great videos!

Enjoy to watch whole video !! Thank you very much... I have learn much from your Video !! I am sure I can fix a top crack of my guitar.

This was by far the best way that I've seen on KZfaq to fix cracked guitars that doesn't show any glue lines! Might try this technique on my Ovation Balladeer.

yes....I use magnets too. I usually put tape on the bottom of the top magnets so as not to possibly scratch the guitar. I also use top and inside magnets to glue/hold the wood tabs in place. I take a small piece of putty to hold the tab to the inside magnet, (blue tape the magnets to the top so they stay in position.) Then when you install the inner tabs/magnets they self align because of the pull from magnets taped on top. COOL

Patience is a virtue. Add skill and inventiveness and you get the sign of a master. I feel enriched. Thank you Sir.

Thank you! I have several guitars with cracks to repair and have been watching a number of videos. I'll be adding your ideas to my bag 'o tricks.

I like your clamp idea. I have an issue with the back plate of an Autoharp, where the back got a lengthy crack, and was pushed inward, when it was dropped by its past owner. It received other damage issues at the same time, which I was able to correct easily, back to normal again. It's a tight squeeze working inside an Autoharp with such a small opening on its face, but I think your idea will work in getting a good solid repair on this harp, and flattening the damaged crack area back to close to normal again. Going to give it a try. Thanks for idea.

Fantastic Job 🎶🎸👏

I watched a few videos on crack repair but stopped watching after this one. The most professionally repaired, would like this man to repair mine.

THE NAME IS GEORGE AND I AM FROM GREECE. I DON'T KNOW VERY GOOD ENGLISH SORRY. I AM A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN BUT WE ALSO DEAL WITH MAKING BOUZOUKI BUT I ALSO REPAIR GUITAR. I LOVED YOUR WORK VERY MUCH. IF YOU ALLOW ME, I GOT AN IDEAS FOR CONSTRUCTION. VERY GOOD WORK WELL DONE

As a musical instrument repair student 35+ years ago I learned from my instructor that Acetone is what lighter fluid is made from. Be very careful with it around plastics - celluloid for bindings and such was glued together at its ends by wetting with acetone. I learned before going to school that it would melt the celluloid. To glue the cracks I set the tip of an opened titebond bottle onto the end of the crack and slowly squeeze glue into it. By watching inside, using a mirror and light, I can see that the glue has penetrated through and slowly move the glue bottle's tip the full length of the crack .

Quite an amazing way to mend a guitar. Thanks for the info.

My pensioner's budget doesn't allow me to hire a Luthier but you have instilled enough confidence in me that I'm going try my own repair on my 23 yr old Martin OM-21. It's a slightly bigger crack at sound hole and it allowed the top to sink from drying out but the instrument is fully functional and still has Martin sound. Thank you for the instruction and excellent video. Dank Je.

You remove tape by slight heating with a hair dryer, and it will come right off without damaging the surface

That is an extremely clever little clamp you have there. Tuning Keys - Who'd a thought.

Just made and used this tool... glue is drying now, hopefully it turns out as good as expected!!! really great idea, the guitar I'm fixing is a martin backpacker and the sound hole is only about 2.5" across, the crack is pretty far back so there's literally no other way i can think of to get a brace in there... instead of drilling a hole i used a small sewing needle to poke a hole, since the smallest drill bit i had was 1/16th.. also before doing this repair i humidified the guitar to get the crack to shrink as much as possible.. it's almost invisible now even before doing the brace and glue

Awesome work. I've seen others repair cracks and made it so much more complicated. Clamps blocks and what not. Cool freebie tool too. Saw that method used once before. Thumbs up on this repair.

The use of magnets is pure genius!! Bravo! :o)

During my thirty years at the bench i often used a tool like this, but would NEVER use it on the top of a guitar with a soundhole. For back cracks in F-hole guitars, yes.......but NEVER where i could reach in and touch the crack. Simply use your good magnets to pull the cleats against the crack.....fool proof and no holes in the top, no matter how small.

Very good job. You were thorough. I am about to tackle a long and a short crack on my guitar top.

Very nice job, sir. It was a real pleasure to watch.

I pay attention to your methods and I learn great things

Great fun to watch a craftsman who know his work.

Thompson crack repair system is well worth it.. I bought Lexan, and magnets, and cloned my own. Stewie even gave me the dimensions!!! Also, no holes, or wind up clamping. Great Co. Gb bg

This is great for I got Walnut Dulcimer with cracks in the back and this might work !!!!!!! thank you .

I had one of these 30 years ago … was a two part brass tool.

Suction cups are the best tool to squeeze the glue inside. This method doesn't allow for deep enough penetration.

Wood filler for holes and repairs , wood putty for holding glass in place, great video by the way.

Great video, glad 👍 it has subtitles. French polish, hmmm 🤔💭. I'll have to research on how to finish the nitrocellulous and camouflage the repair by matching the Antique Vintage Sunburst colors. I'm fairly confident that my cat woulda knocked over the weights, leaving a dent or two to repair on my Gibson J-45 Rosewood Custom...

Well, I only speak one language so you're still doing pretty well. I forgot to say that your video is very helpful. Thank You!

I like the way you also use a forefinger to spread the glue (12:28) and how you get rid of excess !

Ad I'm sorry to see your not making KZfaq anymore, I really enjoyed them all, and learning your masterful approach...I hope you are well and happy..the best in the new year to you..Glenn in Vermont..

THAT was bloody amazing mate. Bravo!

wonderful result and excellent exposition of your technique

I have to face a cracked guitar with confidence now. Thanks. Beautiful vid.

That's brilliant, I will definitely be trying this method!👌💡

Great jig and repair. It just so happens that I've got a classical with exactly the same crack fault. So this was a timely catch, with some nice soothing and very appropriate background music. (BTW - I thought the first track was so catchy, that I had to pick up the classical and play along, now I've learned the whole tune, though I wish I knew what it was called (?) So.... Vriendelijk bedankt Meneer Ad van Kuijk ! Bijdragen.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I got a Fender cd140 given to me as an add on bonus to a trade (good dealing) it has the same crack same area. This will be a $300 profit with some elbow grease in the shop and your technique and homemade tool.

This is brilliant. Are you still doing Videos.?

That was a lovely bit of work. Extremely well done and most enjoyable and instructive to watch. Thank you!

Geweldig Ad echt vakwerk ik hou Van de gitaar spelen doe ik meer dan 50 jaar en hou van mooie houtsoorten ben altijd op mijn gitaar aan het spelen.

The music! I could listen all day! Very nice.

Ad...dat is een stukje vakwerk, goeie tip met die tuners, en het is een mooi informatief filmpje. Klasse!

Very cool. Question though. Couldn't you just use the magnets to hold the cleats?

Small point. possibly of translation; technically the crack is in the upper part. of the lower bout. Very impressive but I think R Scott, below, has good ideas.

brilliant lutherie

Wow it takes patience and love to do that kind of repair work.

Nice repair wish I woulda seen this I just had to do the same to mine after the only local repairman never got back to me after asking about my repair

The background music was nice

liked the magnets......... not so sure about drilling a hole and pulling on the cleat....... surely just put pressure on it from the inside without having to drill a hole

Love your technique!!! The only thing is how did you push the wire through the glued crack that you use to hold the cleat with? Thanks in advance

Using the tensioner device and a poly bagged backing plate I have pulled cracks back together. The better the wood glue the more important the poly bag.

Great idea! Locking tuners might make things easier with that jig. Cheap from China on ebay! Will make one myself. Many thanks -from South Australia.

Just found your channel -subscribed and plan to watch whatever I've missed This is great work and an excellent video!

Thank you for posting, I enjoy your videos so very much and always learn something I never thought of and haven't ever seen before. Today there were three things I picked up from you that I will be able to use immediately! You did some nice work on this instrument. I am curious, did you do any humidification while you had this guitar, it looked so terribly dry.

I don't know how I missed this video earlier. I have a headstock that I cut off a guitar I was building (a very sad day when I ruined it!) and a two old guitars with cracks to practice on. With a full headstock I can make two three-cleat clamps or perhaps one three-cleat and three one-cleat clamps! Thanks very much for this useful video. Anything new on the way?

I'm like R Scott down below, using the magnets to hold the cleats in place while the glue sets up. My customers would never come back if I drilled multiple 1MM holes in the top of their very expensive guitar. Refinishing that to match is actually much harder than you make it look. Tinting to an aged finish is hard. Actually, I use a rubber covered clamp across the top to bring the crack together once the glue is in place. In ten years of doing this kind of work, never had a crack I could not get together. Just had a mandolin recently with no less than 7 cracks on front and back - got them all home again. Magnets are a cool idea, though. But forget the holes. Not going there.

You have a very special talent, admirable.

give this man an Oscar. Good day sirs

Hi, I believe the repair with Titebond and CA glue would had been efficient enough for this repair. Your technique is similar to piano soundboard rib separation repair work. Having to breach the wood with a drill only to make another repair for your self is overkill in my opinion with a guitar. Titebond glue is stronger than the fibers holding wood together. Adding CA adds additional strength. CA glue is a piano technicians best friend for strong permanent repairs on items in a piano that take way more abuse than a guitar ever would.

Goede instructie video Ad! Bedankt en ook al ken ik de trucjes wel, toch mooi om te zien. Alleen die gaatjes boren door het bovenblad (al zijn ze maar 1 mm) doet mij pijn. Ik werk dan liever met magneetjes en dubbelzijdig kleefband. succes met alles!

Super video, briljant! Geen dure tools kopen, maar zelf iets verzinnen. Zo doe ik het ook. Groetjes, Bert.

how about a Shop-Vac in The Sound Hole to pull the glue through?

You are indeed, an amazing artist ! Excelent job !!!!

Nice job !

Amazing.... A professional at work,and how it done!! 100-100 wow

Hi! Super video, very clear and thanks! Also, what is the music playing at the end?

Very clever! You are so meticulous too.

Thank You a lot, Master! This was VERY helpful for my restoration attempt!

Not to diminish your expertise as Iam in training and you obviously surpass me. However, my opinion is that perhaps you should have only set the middle cleat perpendicular and the others parallel. Or, perhaps all of them slightly off parallel. I wouldn't want to diminish any natural resonance from direction of wood fibers. Yet I understand your preventive measures.

Brilliant with the magnets

Great job. I have a hairline crack on my classical top but this is a little too much for me to do.

Wonderful!

Well, it might be free to you, but Titebond and CA glue and rare earth magnets are not free, or an old headstock or even spruce cleats if you can find any.

I enjoy every video you make. Thank you so much! Dankeschön! Grüße aus Berlin, Denis

Just gold a touch of tape over on itself form a lip much easier to remove.

Great job. Beautiful guitar made whole again. Nice work.

Dave, on Dave's World of Fun Stuff, Does the same thing, especially on side cracks.

Thank you taken time to sheer your tip and tricks

Really enjoyed viewing "your way". Bravo

awesome job AVK, thanks for the help and knowledge.

This video is great and a big help for repairing my old guitar.Thank you! But what can I do ,if the sound hole is to small to get in it with my arm? ... and can you please tell me the Dimensions of the little blocks ? ...by the way...the tool is cool :)

Saw this procedure on Dave's World of Fun Stuff years ago.

Sir, this is true brilliance!

That's cool. But why don't you put a thin wooden board between the magnets and the top of the guitar (inside and outside)? That would apply the pressure of the magnets more even to the crack.

Very well made video, thanks for sharing your expertise.

Frikkin' genius.

So this titebond glue just wipes right off the top with hot water? Or do you need to clean it with lighter fluid after the glue has dried? Also, Why not use the magnets to put the cleats on (so you don't have to drill the 3 holes in the top)? Or do you jig your jig does a better job? Impressive job either way. I have an older Gibson J100 I will try this too. Thanks for the awesome video

Hi Ad This video is the mark of a real crafts person at work I had to watch it from start to finish though it was not a solution to the reason i accessed the repair work carried out . I have recently acquired K Mairi acoustic which has had a repair to the bottom end and someone has used a hairdryer to dry the glueing and caused a bloom on the gloss finish . can this be rectified by myself or do i have to take it to a person who knows his trade and has the expertise to deal with it . Thanks for your valued reply .

Great mastery. What price range would such a skillful job as this fall into?

That´s a happy guitar, again! Thanks.

Full of good techniques. Enjoyed very much. I saw someone use a suction cup to force glue into cracks. That was also effective. What wood are cleats? Would like source, spec of magnets. Thank you!

Is imeaning of this video that never ever even imagination that you can repairing crack of your acoustic guitar? I have finger in my mouth less than minute, when I watched the video! So hard, so hard! But in the other hand I have my thumb middle in my palm. :)

i didn't know you can get glue that comes out of a piece of paper

Buddy, YOU R GOOD!!!

very impressive work!Congratulatio from California! :-)