Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Heating Hide Glue with a Bottle Warmer


Melting or heating animal hide glue crystals in water with a bottle warmer is an old trick I learned back when I was the string instrument tech at the BYU Instrument Office almost ten years ago. 

I just eyeball the water-to-glue-granule ratio—equal parts, but more or less water depending on how thick or thin you want it. Let the glue just soak for a few minutes until it's gummy and has absorbed the water. 

Melting your own hide glue from crystals, at least in my opinion, gives you a hide glue that's way better and easier to use than Titebond liquid hide glue right out of the bottle. That stuff is suuuuper thick. I guess you could thin it with hot water, which I've done before, but then it's like if you're dealing with hot water, you might as well melt some dry glue in hot water and get the consistency you want.

USING THE BOTTLE WARMER
It's so easy! I just set it to warm up the glue at the "heat up a room temperature liquid" setting. Set it according to how many ounces of liquid you're heating up. It doesn't have to boil. It shouldn't, which is why the baby bottle warmer is so perfect. 

Some use a thermometer, but I don't know how important that is if you just aim for hot and melted but not boiling. All you need is a hot liquid to work with. It'll change temperature the moment you pull your glue brush from the pot or bottle, so the temperature isn't worth streasing  over.  

THICKNESS 
Hide glue doesn't have to be that thick. You could aim for honey consistency, or Mrs. Buttersworth high-fructose corn/"maple" syrup. But more often, even thinner than that to where it drips off your stirring stick (I recommend the handy, disposable plastic drinking straw) in watery droplets instead of a thicker honey-like drizzle. 

Again, a slightly thicker glue can be appropriate depending on what you're doing. 

When I attended the GAL (Guild of American Luthiers) conference a few years ago in Washington State, I attended a demonstration where a luthier used a high-pressure steamer, like one you'd use for cleaning, to melt hide glue into place once it's been applied around a whole instrument top (he demonstrated on a cello) and clamped into place exactly where you want it. Amazing technique done by someone known for restoration of historical instruments. I wish I could remember his name off the top of my head. 

Anyway, the reason I'm thinking of this particular conference workshop was because there were all these woodworkers asking questions about what exact temperature or thickness or brand of hide glue is ideal. And the teacher was like, guys, it's just glue. It's not rocket science. 

But he pass around a small jar with glue crystals having soaked for a while into jelly granules (like soaked chia seeds), and also a container of heated, very thin hide glue with which he instructed us to dip the tip of a finger in, then dab it together between your fingertip and thumb. And as the glue cools on your finger while you're doing this, you can feel how incredibly sticky it is and will be as it starts to stick. 

So even if it appears thin, don't panic, it's strong stuff. Think of how thin super glue is and how strong it is when it dries. Hide glue has been used for centuries because it's strong stuff. You can have faith in it. 

42 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for sharing this information. I really like your blog post very much. You have really shared a informative and interesting blog post with people..
    best travel baby bottle warmer

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great article. Having a good combi boiler will save you money on your heating bills.
    combi boiler

    ReplyDelete
  5. By caring for your furnaces and also heating AC frameworks, you can guarantee that the HVAC frameworks are in a decent condition. hvac repair somers ny

    ReplyDelete
  6. Creased fiberglass dispensable channels (1" and 2"): The 1" are commonly utilized in numerous private and business settings and are made of materials that can differ in the adequacy. Prijzen Airco

    ReplyDelete
  7. At this point you will most likely have to remove the agitator and the top of the outer drum shield and the inner clothes tub. What! You thought this washer repair would be easy?Thermador Stove repair

    ReplyDelete
  8. Clear Quartz is translucent and clear and is known to increase inspiration and creativity by creating space in the mind. Visit our website to know more about crystal infused water bottle.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This apparatus doesn't cost a great deal of cash and is additionally financially savvy to introduce. heating repair south salem

    ReplyDelete
  10. The website is looking bit flashy and it catches the visitors eyes. Design is pretty simple and a good user friendly interface. hvac repair mt kisco

    ReplyDelete
  11. For the beginner, a bow made of fiberglass is common and acceptable, although a student might also consider a carbon fiber bow because they are sturdy (sturdier than wood, which tends to be more expensive) and are less affected by temperature and humidity. cello app

    ReplyDelete
  12. The online violin tuner is a big help to those students who are using an online program or course to learn how to play violin. It is highly likely your program will provide you with such an online facility. viola app

    ReplyDelete
  13. You make so many great points here that I read your article a couple of times. Your views are in accordance with my own for the most part. This is great content for your readers. Dryer Repair Wolf, Kenmore, Whirlpool, Sears, Viking, GE, Maytag, Bosch, FisherPaykel, RepairNearMe in Santa Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  14. I was surfing the Internet for information and came across your blog. I am impressed by the information you have on this blog. It shows how well you understand this subject. Best Sub Zero Appliance Repair in Los Angeles

    ReplyDelete
  15. If you are looking for more information about flat rate locksmith Las Vegas check that right away. DEL CERRO APPLIANCE REPAIR & Service

    ReplyDelete
  16. Nice to be visiting your blog again, it has been months for me. Well this article that i've been waited for so long. I need this article to complete my assignment in the college, and it has same topic with your article. Thanks, great share. SubZero, Viking Refrigerator Repair Marina Del Rey

    ReplyDelete
  17. You make so many great points here that I read your article a couple of times. Your views are in accordance with my own for the most part. This is great content for your readers. Stove & Range Repair in Del Mar

    ReplyDelete
  18. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! keep up the good work... Viking Range Cleaning Tips

    ReplyDelete
  19. Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. Big thanks for the useful info. Viking Appliance Repair in Los Angeles

    ReplyDelete
  20. The most common problems which you may face with your refrigerator are when it does not cool appropriately, is slow in making ice or does not make ice at all, building up of frost, does not dispense water or ice, noisy or making clicking sounds, water leakage and so on. Air Conditioning Repair Services in Orange County

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hello I am so delighted I located your blog, I really located you by mistake, while I was watching on google for something else, Anyways I am here now and could just like to say thank for a tremendous post and a all round entertaining website. Please do keep up the great work. bottle warmers

    ReplyDelete
  22. Obvious Signs You Have a Problem One of the most obvious signs that you need refrigerator repair is if your unit is leaking. If you open your refrigerator to find a pool of water at the bottom of it, then you know something has gone wrong. Riparazione frigoriferi Liebherr a Roma

    ReplyDelete
  23. This is to a great extent exacerbated by nonattendance of a viable warming framework in most of houses. Warmtepomp

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great survey. I'm sure you're getting a great response. plastic bottle wholesale

    ReplyDelete
  25. Case Type - In case you're hoping to purchase a room unit, you should know first thing that there are fixed and slide-out skeleton types.Airco

    ReplyDelete
  26. A handyman is needed to be adaptable and have a wide scope of abilities to guarantee that clients are glad. There are various claims to fame found inside the pipes exchange and a handyman can choose to work in at least one of these fortes.Air Conditioning Repairs

    ReplyDelete
  27. On certain heaters, you can see a clock that turns the heater on consequently in the first part of the day when you awaken. Infrarood verwarming

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anyway these glues have been utilized for a very long while by players around the world, so when maneuvered carefully in a very much ventilated region, the danger is entirely low. link

    ReplyDelete
  29. For all the negative financial way of talking, the US is as yet the biggest stalwart economy on the planet. AC Installation Tampa

    ReplyDelete
  30. The ground surface framework will likewise warm all that it interacts with... counting you and your family. Consider brilliant hotness like the sun. Similar as daylight, it straightforwardly warms individuals and items in a room rather. This permits hotness to go straightforwardly where it is required, instead of waiting around the roof. Beyond Heating And Cooling

    ReplyDelete
  31. It is somewhat fantastic, and yet check out the advice at this treat. posadzki anhydrytowe

    ReplyDelete
  32. The addition of an outside patio heater can provide many benefits to home, hotel, resort or restaurant owners. A stylish patio heater will keep your patio warm while expanding your space, which will create additional uses for your restaurant, hotel, resort or backyard patio. https://aboutheating.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  33. Nice to be visiting your blog again, it has been months for me. Well this article that i've been waited for so long. I need this article to complete my assignment in the college, and it has same topic with your article. Thanks, great share. 감압성 핫멜트 접착제

    ReplyDelete
  34. The best non-conductive and conductive adhesive and adhesive factories in China, waterproof adhesive for plastic, metal, glass and rubber, specializing in adhesives for semiconductor, household appliances and electronic applications and surface protection materials for chip packaging and testing. водостойкий клей

    ReplyDelete
  35. Лучший непроводящий и проводящий клей и клеевый фабрик в Китае, водостойкий клей для пластика, металла, стекла и резины, специализирующийся на клеях для полупроводника, бытовой техники и электронных приложений и материалов защиты поверхности для упаковки и тестирования чипов На основе недосыпания стружки

    ReplyDelete
  36. Лучший непроводящий и проводящий клей и клеевый фабрик в Китае, водостойкий клей для пластика, металла, стекла и резины, специализирующийся на клеях для полупроводника, бытовой техники и электронных приложений и материалов защиты поверхности для упаковки и тестирования чипов Инкапсуляционные материалы COB

    ReplyDelete
  37. Although there are a great number of fan heaters available on the market place and these are providing a great bonus to the home consumer market, not all of these products would be suitable for the workplace. https://heatyourhomeforless.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  38. This content is simply exciting and creative. I have been deciding on a institutional move and this has helped me with one aspect. wylewki anhydrytowe

    ReplyDelete
  39. Are you searching for HVAC training courses in Maryland? If so, then we can help. HVAC certification

    ReplyDelete
  40. A channel shower can likewise be applied after the cleaning and drying of the air conditioning air channel .
    bm service

    ReplyDelete
  41. When contrasted with air conditioners, evaporative coolers utilize a normal of 75% less power. Evaporative coolers are very energy effective. cool

    ReplyDelete