back to hide glue

[w peterson]

You can preserve hide glue in a bottle by adding some champhor.  You can buy
camphor from the drug store.  You can then heat the bottle in a microwave,
watching closely so it does not boil. I have kept hide glue free from mold
for several years this way. I was going to package hid glue and sell it, but
EPA regulations scared me away.  Bill Peterson former South Bay Chapter

----- Original Message -----
From: Stephen Birkett <birketts@wright.aps.uoguelph.ca>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2001 10:01 PM
Subject: Re: back to hide glue


> Terry writ:
> > Hi Clyde. I might be stretching my expertise a bit here, but I think I'm
on
> > the right track. The recent post that indicated that if the hide glue
has
> > not been "attacked by mold", it should still be good, was referring to
glue
> > still in the pot and that it can still be used for gluing something. It
was
> > not referring to glue that has been applied and has dried. I don't think
> > mold is a problem on hide glue that has dried.
>
> Keep the glue in the fridge and it can be used over and over
> again....provided you don't overheat it. It's too high temperatures that
> kill it, not the heating process per se. Think beef stew and act
accordingly.
>
> > Your questions are good. I presume hide glue was often used on jack
flanges.
> > I guess hide glue has a well documented history of moving toward failure
> > after 70 or so years (jack flanges, loose bridges, detached soundboards
and
> > ribs, etc.). I wonder what it is that happens to hide glue with age that
> > causes failure?
>
> Well I've seen plenty of 200, 300 and even 400 year old hide glue joints
> on instruments that are as good as the day they was glued.
>
> > I've had a glue pot for a couple years, but only tried the hot glue
once.
> > What a sticky mess! But I guess I need to get it under control because I
> > want to be using the appropriate glue for key bushings, etc.
>
> No need at all for a mess with hide glue if it's used right. There is no
> easier woodworking glue to use.
>
> Stephen
>
> Stephen Birkett Fortepianos
> Authentic Reproductions of 18th and 19th Century Pianos
> 464 Winchester Drive
> Waterloo, Ontario
> Canada N2T 1K5
> tel: 519-885-2228
> mailto: birketts@wright.aps.uoguelph.ca