glueing controversy

[Bob Anderson]

I'm puzzled by S.B's reference to aliphatic glues as "messy", compared
to hide glue. I've always found hide glue to be the messiest of glues
that I've used.

I use both, but the application depends on the practicality of the
situation. For instance, if you work in the shop all the time, you have
a more practical situation to keep a hide glue pot in operation. I
usually use Titebond(aliphatic resin) for hammer hanging, because my
shop stints are often short and interrupted by field work. I don't have
any objection to hide glue, but I don't want to have to be continuously
keeping track of it when I'm out of the shop most of the time.

I've heard arguments both pro and contra vis-a-vis the "brittleness" of
hide glue for hammer hanging (by experienced piano technicians). I
haven't discovered an overwhelming advantage for either point of view,
in my personal experience. I admit that my experience is not profound.

I do know that I tend to follow the path of least resistance, and I use
the most efficient techniques that I can to achieve a result that I'm
happy with.

Bob Anderson
Tucson, AZ