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Thread: Fixing up a cheap case - is 3M spray adhesive a bad idea?

  1. #1
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Fixing up a cheap case - is 3M spray adhesive a bad idea?

    Hello all you people out in Mando Land!

    My instrument, a used 1998 Kentucky KM200S, came with a cheap chipboard case. I don't have any $$ to replace it right now, so I am shoring it up with stuff I mostly already have. I'm making some padding out of some packing foam, a 1" thick piece around the bottom of the case, and some layers of thin white foam around the sides and on the top. I have some stretchy crushed velveteen material to line it with, and plan on making a strap out of velcro to hold the neck in place on the little wooden box type compartment. I have some 3M Super 77 Spray Adhesive I was planning to use to secure the fabric to the foam and the foam to the case.

    Suddenly I became worried about using that glue inside a case. The fabric is pretty thin. Any chance it could outgas and damage my mandolin? Or will it be inert enough after it dries?

    I appreciate any input from you more knowledgeable folks!

    Take it easy!
    Sue

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fixing up a cheap case - is 3M spray adhesive a bad idea?

    Quote Originally Posted by Sue Rieter View Post
    Hello all you people out in Mando Land!

    My instrument, a used 1998 Kentucky KM200S, came with a cheap chipboard case. I don't have any $$ to replace it right now, so I am shoring it up with stuff I mostly already have. I'm making some padding out of some packing foam, a 1" thick piece around the bottom of the case, and some layers of thin white foam around the sides and on the top. I have some stretchy crushed velveteen material to line it with, and plan on making a strap out of velcro to hold the neck in place on the little wooden box type compartment. I have some 3M Super 77 Spray Adhesive I was planning to use to secure the fabric to the foam and the foam to the case.

    Suddenly I became worried about using that glue inside a case. The fabric is pretty thin. Any chance it could outgas and damage my mandolin? Or will it be inert enough after it dries?

    I appreciate any input from you more knowledgeable folks!

    Take it easy!
    Sue
    The gas would be the least of your worries. Leave it open in the air a few days in your garage and it will air itself out. The bigger problem is if there is any contact between anything vinyl and a lacquer finish. I don't know if those older Kentucky mandolins were lacquer or poly. Vinyl eats lacquer.

    http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Musi...nyl/vinyl.html
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  3. #3
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fixing up a cheap case - is 3M spray adhesive a bad idea?

    I looked at the link. Wow that looks bad. I guess I will hold off until and unless I can find out more about the finish. The cloth is 100% polyester, and I guess I don't really know what the foam is made of. Thank you for mentioning that! I'm a little bummed because I wanted to give the mandolin a little more protection.
    Last edited by Sue Rieter; Mar-30-2020 at 6:27pm.

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    Registered User Steve 2E's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fixing up a cheap case - is 3M spray adhesive a bad idea?

    I respect your industrious intentions, but have you thought about just using some cotton cloth to fill the voids in the case? A chipboard case is what it is, and probably can’t be made into a roadworthy case. Just a thought.

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    Default Re: Fixing up a cheap case - is 3M spray adhesive a bad idea?

    I have foam, simply wrapped with a blue paper shop towel, in a case to take up some slack. No glue, not as convenient as you need to adjust once in a while, but it keeps the foam separated from the mandolin. Been there years now with no problem. Could glue the towel to the back of the foam and not the front. I would prefer cotton, a tee shirt, or an old cotton flannel shirt for the material instead of polyester. Some folks stuff old socks into a sock to fill the gap. I am sure you will figure something out.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  6. #6
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fixing up a cheap case - is 3M spray adhesive a bad idea?

    Quote Originally Posted by pops1 View Post
    Some folks stuff old socks into a sock to fill the gap. I am sure you will figure something out.
    I just threw out all my old socks about a month ago. Had about 2 bags of them, darn it.

    I like the idea of an old flannel shirt. Also have plenty of ratty old towels. Back to the drawing board I guess.

  7. #7
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fixing up a cheap case - is 3M spray adhesive a bad idea?

    Chip board is cardboard... why not just buy a different case? wooden ones not that costly..
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  8. #8

    Default Re: Fixing up a cheap case - is 3M spray adhesive a bad idea?

    3M Super 77 or Super 90 doesn't offgas significantly once sprayed. Spray it on both sides, let it sit for 3-5 minutes before assembling, and it's pretty much inert. Leave it for an hour if you're worried. It may smell "rubbery" for a couple weeks, but it's not going to damage anything.
    Source: I'm an industrial designer who has sprayed Super 77 on anything and everything cause that's what we do

    Oh yeah.. I glue in my labels with Super 77. It's fine for instruments. If you get some on the mandolin, it won't even do much. It'll just be sticky for a bit. Wipe it down with some mineral spirits and move on with your life, if that happens.

  9. #9
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fixing up a cheap case - is 3M spray adhesive a bad idea?

    So I emailed Saga and asked about the finish on my mandolin, and here is the reply I got from David there: "In 1998, your mandolin was manufactured with a polyurethane finish. A few years later when we shifted production to China, we changed the finish to Nitro Cellulose. I think you should be safe." So thanks so much to them, so quick and friendly.

    And thank you, Marty, for the definitive answer to my original question about the adhesive.

    I get that chipboard is cardboard and all that, but I really don't want to spend any money right now. Also, I have a little time on my hands right now. I'll save up and get a better case at some point, and then if and when MAS strikes, I will be ready.

    In the mean time, I could just roll up some towels, but I want my mandolin to have a nicer place to sleep when I'm not practicing (probably won't be taking her anywhere). I think I will save the polyester velveteen for a dress or skirt, though, and use pieces of old flannel shirt like pops1 suggested. I've got some scraps of quilt batting that I might use as well.

    Best to all,
    Sue

  10. #10

    Default Re: Fixing up a cheap case - is 3M spray adhesive a bad idea?

    Honestly Sue, you can't really "improve" a chipboard case into something worth while. If you spend ANY money on fabric, foam or adhesive, you would be much better off buying a cheap hard shell case. Here's one for $49 with free shipping, and another for $39 + $4 shipping.
    https://www.musiciansfriend.com/acce...RoCYNgQAvD_BwE
    https://www.wish.com/product/5a4371a..._BwE&share=web

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  12. #11
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Smile Re: home for your mandolin @ home

    Wall hanging forks , notably, Hercules , has gate levers that hold the neck in security
    closing with the weight of the instrument..

    https://www.guitarcenter.com/Hercule...7-1f036534069b

    You would tend grab it in a moment's practice whim, more often, if its not stowed away in a case..
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

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