hide glue

[jimmykx250]

I would like to try hide glue. I have done some research and i am trying to find a cheaper way to keep the glue @ 140 degrees and not have to buy an expensive electric mini kettle. Does anyone have any experience and or ideas with this stuff?

[Onboard]

Jimmy, I have not used hide glue, but here are some things I found on the web. It seems Luthiers are fond of hide glue.

You might try this idea: http://www.spurlocktools.com/id57.htm

However, please compare this Amazon user review with what you read at the above link:

hot pot express used for hot hide glue pot, May 13, 2009

By J. Macfarlane "Mac Luthier" (Vermont) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rival Hot Pot Express (Kitchen)

I use the rival express hot pot for a temperature controlled pot for hide glue. It works okay, but doesn't control at temperatures low enough for optimum glue bonding.

Another “Rival” article: http://norsewoodsmith.com/content/simple-hot-hide-glue-setup

Here’s another article on melting Hide Glue:

http://www.frets.com/fretspages/luthier/Technique/Glue/UseHideGlue/usehideglue1.html

A baby bottle warmer was used here. Just go to the last entry where you’ll see some pictures of a baby bottle warmer:

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/forums/f19/used-parents-choice-baby-bottle-heater-33701/

You can also use hot plates as a heats source. You can set up a double boiler to melt the glue. Also, e-Bay sells old cast iron glue pots.

Here a link to the “Hold-Heet” hide glue pot which seems to be popular. Make sure you get one with a lid. I saw some glue pots go for around $250 so the $100 to $120 isn’t too bad, but the other heating alternatives would be a cheaper way to go.

http://www.thebestthings.com/newtools/hide_glue.htm

[jlloydparks]

I use a hot plate and I have a cast iron glue pot that I picked up off of ebay for about $10. I had to file the bottom of the pot because it wouldn't sit flat, but other than that it has worked out great. I think I spent $5 on the hot plate at a yard sale.

[went_postal]

They make a liquid hide glue:

http://www.woodcraft.com/Catalog/ProductPage.aspx?prodid=10577&ss=6040a811-ed14-408c-9251-39e828b20b7d

That is what we used in my guitar building class... seems to work just fine without having to heat it up.

[Larry Marshall]

I would like to try hide glue. I have done some research and i am trying to find a cheaper way to keep the glue @ 140 degrees and not have to buy an expensive electric mini kettle. Does anyone have any experience and or ideas with this stuff?

I might be off base but you define "expensive" so I'll proceed. I've written blog posts on a couple solutions that I found workable.

This one cost me about six bucks:

http://www.woodnbits.com/blog/2009/02/hide-glue-use-in-miniatures-part-2/

The downside with this kettle is that the best I could do was get it to heat to about 160, then it would slowly cool to 140, heat...cycle, cycle. This didn't prove to be a problem but I found it annoying.

So I went to this unit which cost me less than $20:

http://www.woodnbits.com/blog/2010/02/keeping-the-hide-glue-warm-at-woodn-bits/

This is a great solution that's designed more for keeping hot wax for women to torture themselves. Works great for hide glue, however.

I'll throw in one more thing. If you're going to start using hide glue, get some liquid hide glue too. I really like the hot stuff as when it cools it holds stuff in place immediately (sort of the super glue in the hide glue world) but if you're doing a more complex glue up, liquid hide glue works great as you have a longer open time.

Cheers --- Larry

[PaulMarcel]

Nice post, Larry... I've been off and on looking for a glue pot. Commercial ones with copper pots are $100+. Other solutions I've seen all have the temperature stability problem you mentioned. Now the wax warmer I wouldn't have thought of, but sounds very promising. Worth it for $20. Worse case, I give it as a present to my neighbor's daughter... that should raise some eyebrows.