Repairing teak & holly cabin sole

[rls8r]

I am trying to repair some pieces of teak & holly cabin sole. The sole is not veneer - it's 3/4" tongue & groove teak and holly. Does anyone know the best way to separate the teak and holly pieces? I've tried putting heat on the sole, but the wood starts to char before the glue softens. Any advice on what kind of liquid glue softener I can dribble down the grooves to loosen the glue - and if that's a reasonable way to go about things? Thanks.

[psk125]

If it's for a Hinckley, you might ask them. They may have more available, as well. It may be put together with resorcinol or some other epoxy glue that may be really hard to attack.

[rls8r]

Thanks. I've contacted the Hinckley folks in Southwest Harbor, Annapolis and Oxford (MD). They've been remarkably unhelpful when it comes to providing information about how they built boats in 1983. I don't think that they mean to be unhelpful (that is, that they know the answers but refuse to tell) - I suppose most of the older folks have gone and the new folks are more interested in the Picnic boats.

Perhaps I'll do an Internet search on 'dissolving resorcinol glue'. Thanks again.

[coopec43]

Are these link of any help?


http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...le-120048.html


https://www.google.com.au/search?sou....0.oDdmg5qtHug


https://www.google.com.au/search?q=R...ih=573&dpr=1.5


Clive

[Emmalina]

If its glued that well why do you want to separate it ? Why not just sand it back to life ?

[coopec43]

"Perhaps I'll do an Internet search on 'dissolving resorcinol glue'".

I wish you luck trying to dissolve resorcinol glue. I just been looking and I don't think there is a way which confirms my thoughts.


Clive

[Shoalcove]

Originally Posted by Emmalina

If its glued that well why do you want to separate it ? Why not just sand it back to life ?

This is what I was thinking. I have solid teak and holly as well that refinished nicely. If it has a gouge, it may be easier to fill it in with a graving piece than try to replace a larger section.
Got any photos?

[rls8r]

Thanks all -

The problem is not simply cosmetic that can be solved by sanding and refinishing (although - I'm doing that as well). The problem pieces are the portions of the sole that are tapered to fit the rise of the hull along the outer margins of the salon and galley. The tapered edges result in thin strips of teak and holly at the edges where the holly pieces have broken - a portion of which have come out of the sole, leaving a gap between the teak strips. I'd like to take the sole piece apart to completely replace the holly strip. In other places the teak has split longitudinally, so I'd like to replace those teak strips in their entirety.

Many of the Internet results listed above (and elsewhere) talk about refinishing teak and holly soles - or repairing teak and holly veneer. I don't have veneer. My cabin sole is 3/4" teak and holly board stock.

I've managed some success by prying the end of the strips apart with a medium-sized screwdriver and dribbling some toluene (which I found through an Internet search dissolves resorcinol, but at temperatures above room temperature) into the crack and then heating with a heat gun set on medium. Wiggling the screwdriver down the seam separates the strips in an OK manner - not great, but OK if I apply extreme caution with the prying.

I'm making replacement pieces with a router/table. I'm having problems finding resorcinol glue, and given its properties I'm wondering if something else (Weldwood plastic glue, West G/flex, etc.) may not actually be better. Any thoughts about the best type of glue to use to put the pieces back together?

[mike d.]

I just went on line at Aircraftspruce they sell it under the name CASCOPHEN in different sizes !

[rls8r]

Great! Thanks, Mike. Maybe I'll just go back to using resorcinol then.

[glcalahan]

Hello

Isn't most teak and holly cabin sole veneer??

glc

[Captain Caliamari]

Be careful.
I think Tolulene is more likely to dissolve your lungs first.
Respirator especially in heated confined spaces.

[Captain Caliamari]

Is toluene dangerous?
Breathing toluene vapors in small amounts may cause a mild headache, dizziness, drowsiness, or nausea. With more serious exposure, toluene may cause sleepiness, stumbling, irregular heartbeat, fainting, or even death. Toluene vapor is mildly irritating to the skin, eyes, and lungs.Oct 21, 2014

[Mithril Bham]

I use toulene all the time. Still alive. Use respirator. I don't think that is your solution however.
Similar issues with solid teak and holly floors. Spent many hours with detail. Probably would have been money ahead to just order new pieces to order.

[Captain Caliamari]

Yes.
Completely agree.
Essential use of a respirator was what I was saying.
Cheers.