There's a lot of controversy over what glue's the best to use for sax repair.  In this guide, however, I'll attempt to explain the Pro's & Con's of many of the glue's that hold our saxophone's together.

First, I need to divide the two glues used; there's the glue used to hold the pads, and the glues used for neck & key corks.

1) Pads - Hot Glue or shellac? - I use shellac, because it's the best adhesive for the environment that my customers saxes endure (Semi-desert).  However many of today's best pro saxes come with hot-glue from the factory.  Here's the Pro's & Con's I promised - Shellac has a higher melting point.  This means you'll have a better chance leaving your sax in the car in the California sun without having to bring your sax directly to your repairman.  My Cannonball, however, is put together with Hot-Glue, and I got blisters on my lips at an outdoor Vegas gig, and it was in perfect adjustment after 3 sets of direct Nevada sunlight!  Industry-specific hot glue (used by manufacturers & sold by Ferree's Tools) have a higher melting point than you'll find at your local Arts & Crafts Store.

Con's - Shellac is absolutely ineffective in freezing temperatures.  Most people don't know that once shellac is brought to around freezing, it just let's go when it goes back to room temperature.  Basically, all your pads just fall out.  Kinda makes you wonder...what's worse...your pads moving around in the heat, or just falling out after they're frozen?

If your answer is "Why the heck would you let your sax get THAT hot or cold!?" it's the only correct resonse!  I like to say, if it's too hot or cold for a baby, it's the same for your sax.   My recommendation to other techs, I suggest you use the glue that's best for the environment  that's best for your customer's saxes.  HONESTLY, after long and careful though, I decided on shellac for two reasons.  1-I live in the Desert.  2-nobody ever bad-mouths other techs for using shellac.  There's a whole lot of "old-school" techs who dog-out those who use hot-glue.  Along us techs, hot-glue is thought to be a short-cut.  With this craft, It's important to be progressive, but respect old techniques.  Techs who float pads MUST use shellac, while those who use shims can use either.  Basically, if your closet has more "long-johns" than "Bermuda Shorts," you might want to consider Hot-glue!

As far as Key corks...I'll make it short & sweet!  I've tried EVERY contact cement being made.  My personal favorite is the contact cement made by "Super Glue," but it's very hard to find.  It's not quite as yellow as the rest, but most importantly, I haven't found anything that holds each & every material I glue on keys for custom overhauls (cork, felt, Teflon, & Sorbothane).  If you just can't find "Super Glue" Contact Cement, then call Gary at  Ferree's Tools Inc.  The contact cement in his catalog works just as good, but isn't quite as transparent.

Speaking of the catalog I purchase most of my supplies from, Ferree's Tools Inc has all the cork, felt, shellac, contact cement, and industry specific hot glue with a higher melting point.  He sold me supplies when I was an aspiring tech in a garage, when most other band-instrument repair supplier's turned me down.  Talk to Gary...he's been a big help for many years!
  Good luck...and BE METICULOUS!
 
                     Jimmy Scimonetti, CEO
                                Scimonetti*com