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Saturday, April 04, 2020
Hide Glue
Patrick Edwards the maker of "Old Brown Glue" has posted links to a FWW series of videos on Hide Glue. They are well worth the time to watch. There is also a link on "Unplugged Shop".
I've been watching that with interest. I've bought OBG from him before and have used it a little, but I don't have a good setup for keeping it at ~140°F. I use a 2-cup measuring cup with microwaved water and float a plastic apple sauce container with a little glue in it. A meat candy thermometer monitors the water temp, but nothing monitors the glue temp. This has worked for small jobs, but I'm just not set up for larger work. I also don't have a lot of spare room (or electrical outlets for double boilers, hot plates, etc. Are you using hide glue with your work?
Old Brown Glue doesn't need temp control, it just needs to be warm enough to flow. Its setting only relies on evaporation unlike Hot Hide Glue which sets with both temp and evaporation. Forgive me if I misread your reply.
Yes, I will usually use hide glue for most glue ups, the exception is when the joint will be exposed to water like on a cutting board.
I have a glue pot from TFWW and my hot glue vs. liquid glue is about 20/80. I expect now that I know how to save unused glue that ratio will reverse.
Don't mind my comment but I find his latest post a bit biased and not necessarily accurate. When speaking about synthetic glues the problems he is showing are more about poor usage than poor glue quality. As an example when he mentions Gorilla Glue, he is mentioning it as a type of glue where this is a brand making PU as well as PVA and the picture shown is more a gluing disaster that can occur with any glue. I have nothing against hide glue, neither I have against any glue type, and any of them has proper usage. I am using epoxy for some woodworking on my boat and I find it fantastic when properly used. I would not use it for an interior furniture though. Glue is a tool and like any tool it should be properly used for what it is intended.
I expect he is a little :-). I use both types of hide glue and have used/keep one or two of the three types of Titebond in my shop, the Titebound is there mostly for quick and dirty projects or if the build will be outside or exposed to water.
BTW, the reason for this post is to save the link where I can find it later.
ReplyDeleteken
I've been watching that with interest. I've bought OBG from him before and have used it a little, but I don't have a good setup for keeping it at ~140°F. I use a 2-cup measuring cup with microwaved water and float a plastic apple sauce container with a little glue in it. A meat candy thermometer monitors the water temp, but nothing monitors the glue temp. This has worked for small jobs, but I'm just not set up for larger work. I also don't have a lot of spare room (or electrical outlets for double boilers, hot plates, etc. Are you using hide glue with your work?
ReplyDeleteMatt,
ReplyDeleteOld Brown Glue doesn't need temp control, it just needs to be warm enough to flow. Its setting only relies on evaporation unlike Hot Hide Glue which sets with both temp and evaporation. Forgive me if I misread your reply.
Yes, I will usually use hide glue for most glue ups, the exception is when the joint will be exposed to water like on a cutting board.
I have a glue pot from TFWW and my hot glue vs. liquid glue is about 20/80. I expect now that I know how to save unused glue that ratio will reverse.
ken
Don't mind my comment but I find his latest post a bit biased and not necessarily accurate. When speaking about synthetic glues the problems he is showing are more about poor usage than poor glue quality. As an example when he mentions Gorilla Glue, he is mentioning it as a type of glue where this is a brand making PU as well as PVA and the picture shown is more a gluing disaster that can occur with any glue.
ReplyDeleteI have nothing against hide glue, neither I have against any glue type, and any of them has proper usage. I am using epoxy for some woodworking on my boat and I find it fantastic when properly used. I would not use it for an interior furniture though. Glue is a tool and like any tool it should be properly used for what it is intended.
Lionel,
ReplyDeleteI expect he is a little :-). I use both types of hide glue and have used/keep one or two of the three types of Titebond in my shop, the Titebound is there mostly for quick and dirty projects or if the build will be outside or exposed to water.
Like you say, match glue with project.
ken