Crack Repair Ebony Fretboard

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So the Weymann Bowlback that I'm repairing a top crack on also has a crack in the fingerboard. Wide at the soundhole thining as it progresses toward nut. Should I attempt to repair it? Or just leave it? Seems stable.

Thinking to work some ebony sawdust into the crack then flow thin super glue. Burnish and polish. Any tips here? Tape the line before glue?

How else (better way) would you do it?

The fret ends also seem rough and pointy like the fretboard has shrunk. But humidifying did not smooth the ends. Again should I live with it? Or somehow file the ends?

[rcc56]

Well, the "right" way to fix it is to pull the frets as far up the fingerboard as the crack extends, then loosen that part of the fingerboard from the top and the neck, then glue the crack shut with hide glue or Titebond original, then glue the board back down and replace the frets. But most people won't go to that much trouble, and will just fill it as you said above.

The thing I dislike about filling cracks of this sort is that the glue can leach into the fingerboard/body joint, complicating a repairman's job if the fingerboard has to be lifted later for any reason. Working some dust in there before you apply the glue will minimize the possibility of that happening, though.

Yes, you can mask off the adjoining areas. Wait 24 hours before you level the surface. You may have to repeat the process to get a good, level fill. And yes, ideally the fret ends should be filed. Make a cardboard mask to protect the top while you are filing.

[pops1]

I have loosen4ed the fingerboard from the top and simply squeezed it back to together and glued with HHG. Leaving the frets in place. Reglue the fingerboard and file the ends of the frets.

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I think I will get the soundboard crack fixed and string it up with new 9-32s
Play it for a bit and then consider next step for fingerboard.
Pulling frets and removing the fingerboard might be a bit of a challenge

BTW - learning a lot from this forum.

[rcc56]

Pulling frets and removing the fingerboard might be a bit of a challenge

BTW - learning a lot from this forum.

Yes, and best done a few times on junk instruments for practice before you try it on an antique.

[stevojack665]

I hate to say it, but I think the problem is deeper than that.
I think the entire instrument is separating.
Is this a crack in the top, underneath the fingerboard?

[rcc56]

Yes, I saw that also. That's one reason I mentioned lifting the fingerboard.
It might or might not hold together as-is for a long time. It should be attended to sooner or later.

If necessary, a couple of cleats or a cross grain spruce strip can be temporarily installed underneath with light hide glue. Any other glue will make it difficult to remove later to execute a permanent repair.