Hide glue mixing

Re: Hide glue mixing

Sam Simpson

>Hi Y'all,

Jack, I find those big iron pots way too big for a small shop. Even in my production shop we rarely use that much glue in a day. Instead I have been using a baby bottle and warmer. (Walmart) the temp is properly regulated and the quantities are a lot more manageable.

The best way I know to get the mix ratios right, is to add just enough water to the dry glue beads or granules until they are just covered. Let them sit and soak for a couple of hours or until the water is fully absorbed in a cold state. The result is a stiff Jell-O. This is the product that you warm in the double boiler or baby bottle warmer. (We soak ours a day ahead of time)

The correct consistency of the glue is, when heated it will run off a spoon, brush or stick in an even stream. Too thick and it will be a broken stream. Too thin and it will also be a broken stream. It won't take long before you can do it with your eyes closed.

Regards Sam Simpson.

Re: Hide glue mixing

Adam Cherubini, NJ

>In the WC articles, under furniture, is an article I wrote entitled Chair restoration that might help.

I use an old fashioned cast iron glue pot. It works great. You don't have to use all the glue in one day or one week.

Using hide glue is a craft like any other. You need to practice. It gets easier.

Stick with it. (sorry, I apologize for that)

Adam

Re: Hide glue mixing

Barry Va Beach

>Jack, I just started playing with hide glue a few months ago and ran into similar problems. After many attempts to get the ratio's correct, I broke down and bought a digital scale on ebay for about $20.00 ( including shipping and handling). The problem with mixing by volume is that since the glue is sold in different forms, the same volume of glue may wiegh differently depending on the size of the granules. If you are going to stay with one supplier and one type of glue- you should be able to make do without a scale by making several samples in different glass jars and then testing - I would start out with 2 parts water to 2 parts glue and then bracket it ( 1 1/2 part water to 2 parts glue, and 2 parts water to 1 1/2 part glue). Make sample joints of the same wood and the same area covered with glue ( and label the samples) and then break them the next day. You will know your consistency is right when you break apart the sample, it shows only wood failure, not at the glue joint. Good luck.

Re: Hide glue mixing

Jack Guzman from Maine

>Thanks Sam,

I like that baby bottle and bottle warmer idea. I know where to get the parts too.I have seven sisters all grown up with kids of their own so I imagine someone has an old bottle warmer they aren't using.

For now,I think I'm going to try to get my iron pot to work. It's a neat little pot I got on ebay cheap and it as good as new shape.

Jack

Re: Hide glue mixing

Jack Guzman from Maine

>Adam, that article is just what I needed.I should check the articles more often.thanks---Jack