Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Jan 13, 2008 06:12pm | #1

   You begin with about equal volumes of glue and water, mix together in a smallish jar and stir occasionally for a while to soften the glue crystals ("a while" can be from a few minutes to overnight) and then place in glue pot to be heated to 140° F.  Stir occasionally.  You want to end up with heavy cream consistency and some adjustment with water may be called for.  Also, since the size of the crystals may vary you may also need to adjust your initial mix. 

   You see glue pots in excess of $100 in woodworking catalogs?  A $12 crock pot (any that has some sort of thermostat) will work just as well.  Use a water bath surrounding your jar to keep the heat even and the crock pot cleaner. 

1. 
   Henley | Jan 14, 2008 03:07am | #4

   I am curious about hide glue from a woodworking stand point. I spent
   the last five years making artist canvases, and have used "rabbit skin
   glue". Which is the art worlds version of hide glue (I have talked to our supplier and it is the exact same product).
   So my question is why soak the crystals over night etc. My normal
   method is to bring a pot of water to a boil and slowly pour crystals
   in while continually stirring. some patience is required to make sure all
   the glue is dissolved, but other than that I have had no problems. That
   said I have not used it to glue wood rather to shrink or "size" the
   canvas onto the stretcher. Perhaps I have been using a much thinner
   mixture and there would be scalding otherwise?

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Jan 14, 2008 06:02am | #5

   As I said, it's by no means mandatory to wait overnight.  It just reduces the amount of stirring needed while heating if the crystals have been softened in the water beforehand.  I suspect it is one of those "traditional" things. 

2. 
   joinerswork | Jan 14, 2008 06:49pm | #6

   Henley,

   Unflavored "Knox" brand gelatin is the same thing too, just highly refined. Yumm. And there is a fish glue, as well, can't remember what it is used for--bookbinding maybe? 

   Boiling hide glue is supposed to weaken the resulting bond, by breakdown of the protein chains or something..  I have on occasion accidentally boiled my hide glue, and it does seem to change its working properties somewhat.

   I am not sure either what is accomplished by soaking the glue granules overnight.  The shop I worked in that used hide glue regularly, we just added the new to the old as needed, and kept on using it.  Making up new glue, I simply add the granules to hot water, and stir a time or two as it heats up.  When the liquid skins over, it is thick enough, hot enough, and mixed well enough, to use.

   Ray

2. 
   chuckh | Jan 14, 2008 01:45am | #2

   I'm a newcomer to hide glue myself.  My latest project I used this setup and had very good results.  It takes some practice to get the feel for the stuff.

   http://www.spurlocktools.com/id57.htm

   Regards,

   -Chuck 

1. 
   willy | Jan 14, 2008 02:16am | #3

   Thanks for that reference, Chuck. If my memory serves me right, I believe I used hide glue when I was in grade 8 primary school, about 1944!! For my first batch, I'm using an old crock pot for a heater.