[CAUT] Glue For Hammers

David Love davidlovepianos@comcast.net
Tue, 21 Feb 2006 09:59:01 -0800


I've not had any problems with hide glue failure but for hammer hanging the
consistency must be fairly thick.  If you can easily "pour" the glue into a
cup, it is too thin with too much water and will shrink more than is
advisable.  I use some urea to keep the glue from gelling up too fast which
allows you to make a much thicker consistency.  You should use enough urea
to allow some time to adjust alignment after assembly.  If you are making
adjustments to the alignment and you feel a letting go of the joint rather
than a smooth turn, it is setting up too fast and you should use a little
more urea.  It should be thick enough that even a fairly heavy glue collar
won't sag or drip.  Be sure to apply the glue to both parts!  I have tried
all the glues, Bolduc, Titebond, Titebond Trim, and I still prefer hide
glue.  

For bushings you will need a much thinner consistency and it should be quite
runny.  

David Love
davidlovepianos@comcast.net 

-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of
reggaepass@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 9:32 AM
To: caut@ptg.org
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Glue For Hammers

I work at a school of music in an area that has relative humidity in 
the teens for most of the academic year. After completing a job with 
hide glue just before a vacation, on a whim, I poured some into a small 
paper cup and left it on my desk. A week later, the sides of the cup 
had been sucked in (glue stuck to the paper, water evaporated from 
glue). No big surprise there. What was interesting was that up to NINE 
MONTHS later I still heard the glue cracking as it (apparently) 
continued to shrink! (We also have problems with failed glue joints on 
hammer heads here, but not just from our own hide glue 
operations....whatever Yamaha uses has also failed on numerous 
occasions in this environment.)

 Guess it's time to try Titebond Trim and Molding glue.

 Alan Eder

 -----Original Message-----
 From: Wolfley, Eric (wolfleel) <WOLFLEEL@UCMAIL.UC.EDU>
 To: College and University Technicians <caut@ptg.org>
 Sent: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 09:37:09 -0500
 Subject: RE: [CAUT] Glue For Hammers

 I used hot hide glue for years for its purported acoustic qualities.
  After doing institutional work for a few years where I could observe 
the
 results of my well-intended labors I noticed a rather startling failure
 rate, especially on hammers with walnut or mahogany moldings. I would
 guess that approximately 10% would come loose in a year or two. I don't
  know if this is due to the brutal humidity conditions or to high use 
but
  I switched to Titebond and the problem went away. I recently began 
using
 Titebond Trim and Molding Glue and find it to be superior to any other.
 It dries nearly as hard as the hide glue, is thick enough to form nice
  glue collars without dripping all over everything and I have yet to 
find
 a loose hammer head. Pianotek carries it even though it's not in their
 catalog yet.

 Eric

 Eric Wolfley, RPT
 Head Piano Technician
 Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
 University of Cincinnati
 -----Original Message-----
 From: caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of
 Tim Coates
 Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 9:09 AM
 To: College and University Technicians
 Subject: Re: [CAUT] Glue For Hammers

 Whatever you are comfortable with. Some prefer hide and some the
 tite-bond. There is no right or wrong answer as many try to make it.
 I prefer hide for hammers, but I can understand why others like
 tite-bond.



 Tim Coates

 On Feb 21, 2006, at 7:50 AM, Chris Solliday wrote:

 > Tite-Bond Trim and Molding Glue
 > Chris Solliday
 > ----- Original Message -----
 > From: "central" <jorge1ml@mail.cmich.edu>
 > To: "College and University Technicians" <caut@ptg.org>
 > Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 8:18 AM
 > Subject: [CAUT] Glue For Hammers
 >
 >
 >> Hello All,
 >> What do you think is the best overall glue for hanging hammers?
 >> -Mike Jorgensen
 >>
 >> _______________________________________________
 >> caut list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
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