RE: [Harp-L] Overhauling Echo Harps (need help)

[Buck Worley <boogalloo@xxxxxxx>]

Thanks Winslow,
I am up to the point where I have reattached the reed plates. Yea, I think it's maple. I did exactly what you said except I used Super Glue gel. So far so good. Tightening up the plates also secures the 3 chips. It's working. Now I will do a final 'set' on the plate nails and reset the covers. The rust was bad but not fatal or no rust holes. Everything cleaned up real nice and what little rust that is left is under the hood and not visible.
The hardest part was prying those 32 nails out. The heads broke on only 2. I think I did good.
32 nails, 4 plates, 64 holes and 64 reeds. Whew...now on to the second ( C and G ). It is the worst of the 2. It was given to me by my dad's best friend when I was a teenager. c.1968. I purchased the A/D one c. 1978.
Kind regards,Buck

Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2014 21:28:12 +0000
From: winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx
To: boogalloo@xxxxxxx; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Overhauling Echo Harps (need help)

The wood is not pearwood; it may be maple. I'd try to use as little moisture as possible. Once you pry the reedplates off, try first just brushing off any debris. Use moisture only as needed. Perhaps try wiping of stubborn residues with  a slightly damp dishcloth. Immersion should be an absolute last resort.

Wood glue is your friend for whatever wood-to-wood gluing needs to be done. Glue on nails? If the nail holes are still tight,  I'm not sure you need it - and you may want to get the harp apart later for tuning or other service needs.

Try rubbing rust off the covers  with steel wool or fine-grit sandpaper. You can seal rusty spots with clear nail polish or perhaps wax.
Winslow
 Winslow Yerxa
President, SPAH, the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica
Producer, the Harmonica Collective
Author, Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
            Harmonica Basics For Dummies, ASIN B005KIYPFS
            Blues Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-1-1182-5269-7
Resident Expert, bluesharmonica.comInstructor, Jazzschool Community Music School
        From: Buck Worley <boogalloo@xxxxxxx>
 To: "harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
 Sent: Sunday, October 5, 2014 11:52 AM
 Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Overhauling Echo Harps (need help)
   
Bump !! I could use some help ! Super glue for wood? Glue on nails? I dont expect to ever have to do this again. As I said, they were in a flood. What about cleaning the wood comb? A very quick soap & water job ?

> From: boogalloo@xxxxxxx> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2014 22:10:46 -0500> Subject: [Harp-L] Overhauling Echo Harps (need help)> > List,> I have 2 old Echo Harps that were in a flood. They still work enough to try salvaging. I have taken 1 apart and it was no easy job. The comb is very delicate but in surprisingly decent shape. They taste like mud / dirt. 1) I have 2 chipped wood pieces - comb. I have the 2 chips. What glue should I use?> 2) The covers have some pretty bad rust spots on the inside. How do I clean / de-rust ?> 3) Any suggestions on the nails? Should I try to use a tiny bit of glue for reassembly and what kind? Should I try to clean all the nails?> When I clean plates, I use Bar Keepers Friend, however there is some rusty places like on some reed rivets. Any suggestions on special cleaning?> Any advise will be appreciated. I dont think I will try to seal the wood since I dont use these harps very much. At $120 a pop I feel like it will be worth the time. I will start cleaning and reassembly tomorrow.> Thanks in advance,Buck