[pianotech] Hide Glue Question

[Ron Nossaman]

John Ross wrote:
> *I guess I didn't explain fully.*
> *I have been using hide glue for 30 plus years, and this is the first 
> bad smelling batch I have ran into.*
> *I kind of thought it was from a horse?*
> *I was wondering why, it smelled bad.*
> *I got it from Lee Valley, which is a reputable company.*
> *Ed Foote, has explained bacteria got into it.*
> *I have glued the bellows material in place with it, and just thought 
> about the smell, after using it.*
> *John Ross*

It's either a low grade, or contaminated. Did you make it up 
in a clean pot?

Even if it's compromised, it's still most likely strong enough 
for bellows cloth. Meanwhile, I'd dump what you have mixed, 
clean out and disinfect the pot, and mix a new batch. If it 
does it again, pitch the rest of the glue and get something 
else. Here's another possible source. 
http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/Merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=toolshop&Product_Code=MS-HIDEGL.XX&Category_Code=TBJ

Ron N