Repair a crack?

[auctoris]

My 1939 Mosin has a small crack on the bottom of the handguard at the very end. If I pull on the end, the wood only separates a few millimeters but the crack is about an inch long. You can't really see the crack in this photo, but I've circled the location. Should I leave this alone or repair it? If I need to repair it, how should I do that?

DSC00258.JPG

Thanks

[ffeng31]

Leave it as this is not an area that is subject to any real stress so it will not likely worsen.

[zeebill]

Watch it and if it gets bigger clean the area and leech some of the real thin super glue into the crack preferebly from the inside. Don't go hog wild as that stuff will eat a finish instantly. Bill

[cj1964]

I've seen this advice (from Zeebill) before.
I don't have a lot of woodworking experience, so I can see myself making a total mess of the stock trying to weep in some superglue!! Luckily, my rifles have only hairline cracks and don't really require attention, but I'd sure like to see a video post (hint) of someone actually glueing a crack together. It would be good educational material IMHO.
Just a thought.

[target]

A lot of damage stems from the fact that the wood is very thin in that area. I suspect that it also got damaged due to soldiers grasping there when putting their bayonet on instead of grasping further back on the forearm.

If you can find a syringe and don't mind ruining it with super glue then that's an option. Just spread the wood a bit, get the needle in there and squirt a tiny bit in, hold it for a couple minutes and presto. Like Zeebill said, be careful as that stuff is not very forgiving.

[Longcolt44]

Another remedy, if you decide you really have to do it, is to use one of the water based glues. As was said, it is not a stress point so it would be a cosmetic repair only.

[Rongo]

Watch it and if it gets bigger clean the area and leech some of the real thin super glue into the crack preferebly from the inside. Don't go hog wild as that stuff will eat a finish instantly. Bill

[Junk Yard Dog]

Leave it alone unless you have to mess with it.

[zeebill]

Leave it alone unless you have to mess with it.

Keeping with my old saying about if it ain't broke don fix it! Bill

[Junk Yard Dog]

Words to live by

[zeebill]

Words to live by

Crap I hate to think how many years I didn't! Did I ever make problems for myself! Bill

[Junk Yard Dog]

Being naturally lazy I learned the words by heart years ago , why make more work for yourself than need be.

[Lee-online]

We have a saying at work, "If it ain't broke, fix it until it is"
Sometimes it just best to leave it alone.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Oh, I do

[cjsimoh]

Although I've never used it on a milsurp, I've used Elmer's E7010 Carpenter's Wood Glue for some furniture repairs and when it dries, it's stronger and tougher than the wood. Use the least amount you can get away with, clamp it lightly but firmly, wipe off the excess and it will fix it forever....

[bunkysdad]

I have often wanted to suggest crack spackle, for spackling a bad case of plumbers crack.

[daveshady]

didn't they use Russian duct tape back then?



wah la

[Junk Yard Dog]