Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Feb 04, 2009 12:11am | #1

   Absolutely.  hide glue allows hammer veneering which facilitates laying veneer without a press, vacuum or otherwise.

   It is also a good all around furniture making glue that exhibits no creep, and is fundamentally as strong as the PVA glues and the like. 

   It's defects--it isn't as heat or moisture resistant as some other glues are also virtues since they allow glue joints to be reversable, something desirable for repair.  In addition, it is reactivated by fresh hide glue so that, within limits, not every spec of old glue has to be removed from joints when they are reglued. 

   Thinned it can be used as a sizing to reduce blotching by stains. 

   It can also be used to create crackalure effects with paints and varnishes. 

   It can chip glass to make a decorative effect.  (That's how strong the bond can be.) 

   Purafied versions make good fruit salads (ie. Jello) 

1. 
   Biscardi | Feb 04, 2009 08:06am | #2

   I did some work in the past with it and like it alot. The tack time is longer than yellow glue. It is not waterproof however. I made a lectern for the church which fell apart. They had a leak in the roof and the thing kept getting wet. There are furniture pieces that have been found in pyrimads which are still intact held together with hide glue.

2. 
   chs | Feb 04, 2009 08:48am | #3

   I use it for all my veneer jobs. There are several elements I like about it. 1. place it in warm water if its to thick and it will thin. 2. you can use it like contact cement. apply it to the contacting surfaces and allow them to dry until they are tacky. 3 a hot iron reactivates the glue, when the edges dry to much to stick.

   CHS

3. 
   BCFred | Feb 04, 2009 04:15pm | #4

   It is my understanding that many Luthiers use hide glue in stringed instrument construction where lack of water resistance doesn't matter all that much.  I'm thinking of trying to switch over somewhere down the road.

4. 
   87bluejay | Feb 05, 2009 07:12am | #5

   Take a look at Rob Millards website.  He has some awesome videos that include his process/application of hide glue.

   http://americanfederalperiod.com/

   Thanks,

   Dave