<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.3354" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY> <DIV><SPAN class=733031822-07072008><FONT face=Arial size=2>Paul~</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=733031822-07072008><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=733031822-07072008><FONT face=Arial size=2>I never had much luck with liquid hide glue. I have used both liquid hide glue and hot hide glue and they are quite different animals, not even close.</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=733031822-07072008><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=733031822-07072008><FONT face=Arial size=2>As some others here have already stated, liquid hide glue is pretty runny and takes forever to set up. They have to put "something" in it at the factory to keep it from hardening in the bottle, or at the same room temperature that hot hide glue normally gels and hardens. That "something" seems to be the problem. Liquid hide glue seems to be better for applications where you don't need a lot of holding strength and can take your sweet time while it hardens. </FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=733031822-07072008><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=733031822-07072008><FONT face=Arial size=2>But you know, a lot of the other glues you can buy are also runny. I think that whatever hammer glue a technician uses, it can be very helpful to let it thicken by leaving the lid off until it is the proper consistency - thin enough to still soak into the wood, but thick enough so those little glue collars you make as you spin the hammer on the shank will tend to stay in place rather than dripping off.</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=733031822-07072008><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=733031822-07072008><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have used both Bolduc glue and Tightbond for hammer hanging, as well as hot hide glue. Hot hide glue is the traditionalist's favorite, but in my old age (50's now) I just want something convenient, and quick, that works well, without all the mess and fuss of hot hide. One of the rationales given for using hot hide glue is that it is easier to disassemble parts if needed or if rebuilding. I have never had any problem disassembling parts with these other glues.</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=733031822-07072008><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=733031822-07072008><FONT face=Arial size=2>(I'm pretty sure Steinway hasn't used hot hide glue for hammers for many years now (unless they have changed their policy recently). Bolduc glue works great for hammers but is somewhat expensive. Tightbond works well but the water component (or whatever it is) in the glue, in my experience, tends to warp the shanks slightly as it dries so you have to do more shank heating and correction. Perhaps if you let the glue thicken more this wouldn't be as much of a problem. I haven't tried Titebond Trim and Molding, might be the next thing I do.  </FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=733031822-07072008><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=733031822-07072008><FONT face=Arial size=2>All the glues I have used over the years have come a bit on the runny side for hammer hanging. When I have let them thicken (but not too much!)  they have always worked much better.</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=733031822-07072008><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=733031822-07072008><FONT face=Arial size=2>The problem is essentially the same as with hot hide glue: How thick should it be for the job? (-and also, being able to plan far enough in advance so it's ready when you need it.) </FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=733031822-07072008></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=733031822-07072008><FONT face=Arial size=2>Sincerely,</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=733031822-07072008></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=733031822-07072008><FONT face=Arial size=2>Kendall Ross Bean</FONT> </SPAN></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV align=left> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=533361603-16112007> <DIV align=left> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=533361603-16112007>PianoFinders</SPAN></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=533361603-16112007><A title=http://www.pianofinders.com href="http://www.pianofinders.com/">www.pianofinders.com</A></SPAN></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=533361603-16112007>e-mail: <A title=mailto:kenbean@pianofinders.com href="mailto:kenbean@pianofinders.com">kenbean@pianofinders.com</A></SPAN></FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=533361603-16112007><EM>Connecting Pianos and People</EM></SPAN></FONT></DIV></DIV></SPAN></FONT></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>