Hide Glue Temperature

by Doug Collins

Oct 16, 2008

I'm using Hide Glue for the first time and I have a feeling I might not be getting it hot enough. Is the water temperature supposed to be 140 degrees, or is the glue supposed to be that hot? What are the ramifications of using the glue too hot?

Thanks,

Doug Collins
  • up

    Jim Bancroft

    I don't use a glue pot, but instead a small sauce pan about 1/3 full of water, next sit the container with the glue mixture in and heat it up. I do this on my kitchen stove and probably get everything to 150 degrees. I've been doing it so long that I don't use a thermometer, just look at what the water is doing.

    Another important thing is to make the glue mixture thin or watery. As long as it is slippery between your fingers it is perfect. Then warm parts to be glued. That's pretty much it in a nut shell. In other words, my simple explanation of hide glue usage.

    Jim
    1

    Oct 17, 2008

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      Frank Ford

      HIde glue is fairly stout stuff, and it can take a fair bit of abuse. According to the literature, the temperature should not exceed 145 or so, but that's presuming the glue will be heated all day in factory use, and reheated the next day.

      I believe the issue with temperature is a matter of temperature AND time. So, there's no damage done by heating the glue to boiling for a few seconds in the microwave if it isn't heated long or kept heated. That makes life a lot easier for me. I just take a bit out of the fridge, heat it, use it, and toss the leftovers.

      IF you keep it under heat all day, it's a good idea to keep the temperature down to 140 - that's the glue temp of course.
      10

      Oct 17, 2008

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      • up

        Mike Kolb

        I used to worry it to death (ratios, temps, pot life, etc.) but ..as Jim said... nowadays it's more like start with a somewhat proper ratio (mine is 1.9-to-1 by weight, using an electronic postal scale in the "grams" mode) and the rest is by feel. Temp is probably 150° to 160° but the wifes candy thermometer stays pretty clean these days. FF's idea of pre-making small batches of hide glue in disposable cups has been very useful for me.

        Since I don't build ...just repair... I'm only making small batches as needed, hence my 7yr-old StewMac electric glue pot (#0668) sits in it's original box, untouched and pristine. What a waste THAT was! Hmmm, maybe we can utilize the thread for selling-off or trading surplus tools and/or supplies? Another boat-anchor here is my unused buffing arbor (StewMac #2082), which was a gift although I already had one... yikes.

        Anyway, the whole hide glue experience seems to work better for me in the "zen" mode, rather than obsessing over the details.
        2

        Oct 19, 2008