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Thread: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

  1. #1
    Mandolingerer Bazz Jass's Avatar
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    Default Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    I'm about to start restoring an early 20s F-Case. Among a myriad of things, it's missing a handle.

    Does someone do a replacement?

    Thanks,
    Bazz.

  2. #2
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    One of our Cafe folks Mark Lynch had a connection for some really nice handle's! They were leather and high quality! He may chime in. I think he sold out but wanted more but alas the price like everything went way up!

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    Post a picture of the case. There are a few ways to go including finding a donor case, suit case or otherwise, that is period correct.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  4. #4
    Mandolingerer Bazz Jass's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    Post a picture of the case. There are a few ways to go including finding a donor case, suit case or otherwise, that is period correct.
    Okay. Not for the faint of heart....

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  5. #5
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    Wow. That looks like an ambitious undertaking!
    Can't wait to watch your progress on it, though.
    Last edited by Sue Rieter; Oct-14-2021 at 4:32pm.

  6. #6

    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    No guesses about NZ, but old suitcases should be thrift shop items, especially since they’re favored by decorators and photographers as background items. You probably are aiming for ‘as new’ restoration, but if you want to keep some atmosphere, I’d keep the mouse hole at the tip, maybe backing it on the inside. If that was a mouse or some interesting local other critter.
    There was a thread here maybe a year ago about handles, and how to fasten ones with D-ring attachments, and mention of the saddlery folks who can fabricate or cover that type. Even a shoe repair shop, if they still exist. For the funky unrestored and much used vibe, a handle can be spiral wrapped with what’s called ‘friction tape’ that I’m guessing is a worldwide thing. There’s also been quite a bit of discussion about what linings and glues are destructive of finishes, so you do have to be careful with the interior.

  7. #7
    Mandolingerer Bazz Jass's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    Quote Originally Posted by Richard500 View Post
    No guesses about NZ, but old suitcases should be thrift shop items, especially since they’re favored by decorators and photographers as background items. You probably are aiming for ‘as new’ restoration, but if you want to keep some atmosphere, I’d keep the mouse hole at the tip, maybe backing it on the inside. If that was a mouse or some interesting local other critter.
    There was a thread here maybe a year ago about handles, and how to fasten ones with D-ring attachments, and mention of the saddlery folks who can fabricate or cover that type. Even a shoe repair shop, if they still exist. For the funky unrestored and much used vibe, a handle can be spiral wrapped with what’s called ‘friction tape’ that I’m guessing is a worldwide thing. There’s also been quite a bit of discussion about what linings and glues are destructive of finishes, so you do have to be careful with the interior.
    Thanks, good tips. Definitely not aiming for "as-new". It's period correct for my '21 F4 which is in good player condition. I'd really like it to be a functional sturdy case that looks 100 years old

  8. #8
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    Cafe member LoudLoar (Steve Kirtley)has a website devoted to vintage cases with history and some repair information. It's here. If you are on Facebook he also has a Vintage Case Facebook Group. The Case Repair section of the website is here. This search contains many threads on finding replacement handles for these cases. I have purchased them off eBay on occasion as well as finding old violin cases and such as donors.

    This vintage violin case is currently on eBay for $49.00 with free shipping. That handle would be similar to what you're looking for.
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    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

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  10. #9
    Mandolingerer Bazz Jass's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    Cafe member LoudLoar (Steve Kirtley)has a website devoted to vintage cases with history and some repair information. It's here. If you are on Facebook he also has a Vintage Case Facebook Group. The Case Repair section of the website is here. This search contains many threads on finding replacement handles for these cases. I have purchased them off eBay on occasion as well as finding old violin cases and such as donors.

    This vintage violin case is currently on eBay for $49.00 with free shipping. That handle would be similar to what you're looking for.
    Thanks Mike. I'm in New Zealand, so I'm limited to what turns up locally. It's good to know what to look out for though. Thanks!

  11. #10
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    Check out junk shops and second hand stores. I would be surprised if some of these type handles didn't make it to you in some form. Steve's site will give you some tips on repairing the other parts of the case.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

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  13. #11
    Mandolingerer Bazz Jass's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    Check out junk shops and second hand stores. I would be surprised if some of these type handles didn't make it to you in some form. Steve's site will give you some tips on repairing the other parts of the case.
    Thanks. I've posted there. Looks to be a great resource.

  14. #12
    Registered User darylcrisp's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    this may not be what you want, but Deering banjo company offers a leather replacement handle that has a leather(its real leather not vinyl or fake) buckle type fastening. they offer two kinds, one that buckles to the side and one that buckles horizontal-here's the info with pictures of both models. i replaced a handle on an older TKL with one of these and its actually semi circular and on the small side, i immediately thought, " this looks like a mandolin case handle". i'll take a picture of it later and post here.

    https://www.deeringbanjos.com/collec...hardshell-case
    the 4th picture is how my handle looks.

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    you might inquire with Steve at (super nice guy and has thousands of old parts-he might have something laying around)
    http://vintageparlorguitars.com/

    GryphonsInstruments has been around a long time and from what i've been told by one of the staff there, they have tons of old things, parts, pieces "upstairs". might be a long shot but worth an email-send you pics.
    https://www.gryphonstrings.com/pages/custsvc-contact-us


    Ritchie Dotson repairs guitar/mandolin/banjo and sells a lot of old style and actual old parts-worth an email
    https://acousticbox.com/

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  16. #13
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    These will work: www.bernunzio.com/product/case-handle-2/
    $16.95 US
    I recommend that you order 2 of them, they are harder to find than they used to be.
    And since you're in NZ and shipping is expensive, you might give their website a really good looking over-- they have all kinds of parts and other stuff; maybe they have something else you need.
    Last edited by rcc56; Oct-14-2021 at 11:57pm.

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  18. #14
    Mandolingerer Bazz Jass's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    Finally got to working on this case (see top post for the before shots).

    Got all the loose tolex cleaned, glued down and patched. Should have probably recovered, but I wanted it still to look it's age. The wear looks fine to me.

    The inside lining was beyond repair - stained, mouse-eaten. Finally found a cotton velvet I liked (after getting dozen of samples sent!!).

    While relining and rebuilding the accessory compartment (lid was half eaten), I decided to add a neck support, as originally the end of the headstock was resting on the bottom of the case. Adding the neck support means the headstock is now making no contact anywhere.

    Ended up carving a basic handle out of pine and covering with leather - does the trick for now!

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    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    Nice work! It looks like you have a real knack for rebuilding those old cases.

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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    nice - what glue did you use for lining?

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  24. #17
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jonathan Reinhardt View Post
    nice - what glue did you use for lining?
    I used PVA - white glue. Really thinly smeared so as not to soak through the material. Did the face sections first - velvet direct to the wood. For the edges I attached the velvet to cardboard first, adding foam where required. Velvet wraps around the cardboard to create clean edges. Then glue those into place, clamping if necessary.

    Having done a few relining now, I find white glue is the best. Not chemically dangerous and easy to clean up. The trick is having it applied very evenly and thinly to the surface, as if it's too thick it soaks through the material and is visible on the top side.

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  26. #18
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    I bought one that was leather with a short strap & Buckle on each end .
    the music repair shop / store supplier catalog he sourced it from had 2 versions 1 for D rings the straps on the ends.
    the other, there were straps on the sides, for the goalpost cross bar type fittings..
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    thanks for advice (and encouragement)
    I have a case project and was on several years hold due to my inexperience with glues. somehow I got it in my mind to be period correct, got hide glue for the task and just felt unready to tackle the process. still may try, but I really want to repair the case and your experience is an inspiration.

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  29. #20
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    Very nice work. How did you deal with that rodent hole at the back of the peghead end?

  30. #21
    Mandolingerer Bazz Jass's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    Quote Originally Posted by mclaugh View Post
    Very nice work. How did you deal with that rodent hole at the back of the peghead end?
    Once I'd glued and clamped the (almost detached) bottom back to the sides, I masked off rodent holes and used a two-part epoxy wood filler. Used some old (not identical) tolex to patch over it.

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  31. #22
    Mandolingerer Bazz Jass's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jonathan Reinhardt View Post
    thanks for advice (and encouragement)
    I have a case project and was on several years hold due to my inexperience with glues. somehow I got it in my mind to be period correct, got hide glue for the task and just felt unready to tackle the process. still may try, but I really want to repair the case and your experience is an inspiration.
    Just practice gluing fabric to wood before hand! You'll get the hang of it. Hide glue would scare me!

  32. #23
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    That came out great! What a transformation! Where did you get the extra tolex for the patch?

  33. #24
    I may be old but I'm ugly billhay4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    Very nice work.
    Bill
    IM(NS)HO

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    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old F-Case Repair. Handle?

    Looks really good! Nice work!
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

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