I always enjoy the threads about Hide glue.  I used a double pot - a small cast
iron one that needs re-tinning on the inside (Suggestions, anyone?)  it holds
maybe a cup full at a time, and goes on an electric hot plate when in use. I
have a larger one, but no sooner had I come across it than I spoted an electric
glue pot in an auction, and got hold of that.  Plenty big enough for anything I
might do.

I like HHG because it is so versatile and friendly.  In restoration work, as
others have said, its ability to be undone with heat and water or alcohol is
magic.  Lifting a veneer becomes possible with an old thin table knife blade and
alcohol squirted into the joint, and time.  The surface is pretty undamaged
ready to go back down, or be re-used.  A blistered veneer may be rescued with a
hot iron applied over some brown paper. Heat to plasticise the glue - then a
weight or clamp to keep it flat until cold.

And cleaning up is civilised.  Always a blessing.  Not like that polyurethane
modern stuff that stays on your fingers for a good half week.


Back to the Gerstner though.  My tuppence - its been said - start with a hot
iron - if it’s hide glue, it may reliquefy and a cold cramp ors omething may
work.  After that, if it needs more - well - you’ve already heard everything I’d
suggest, so I’ll shut up now.


Enjoy

Richard Wilson
Yorkshireman Galoot
on the North Sea coast, where we had the first real snowfall today.  (And for
those of you who have real snow - I’ll add that it had all melted by noon.
That’s winter done then.  Roll on the solstice and the feasting of Mithras.


 

> On 8 Dec 2022, at 17:30, Michael Blair  wrote:
> 
> John Ruth wrote: "And, contrary to advertising claims, Old Brown Glue is
> not hot hide glue" 
> 
> Correct, John.  Both Franklin and Old Brown Glue are buhl work glues,
> designed to hold disparate materials to wood.  Buhl work glues retain
> enough plasticity to keep stone, metal, bone and shell from popping out
> from the expansion and contraction of wood.  These two add urea (that's
> urine) to hide glue, in the English tradition.  The French added garlic
> oil.  Think twice about licking your fingers...  But they will, as
> designed, hold metal to wood. 
> 
> I grew up with hot hide glue.  My grandfather built custom picture
> frames and hot glue is what we used.  Initially, my job was to go into
> the shop and prepare the glue, heating it, adding a bit of water and/or
> glue beads to the electric glue pot.  Get it ready for him to use. 
> Maybe that's why I don't find it inconvenient.  Some add a bit of salt
> to the mixture, though I never have.  Now I have a couple of double
> boiler glue pots, one copper, the other an old cast iron pot. 
> 
> Both forms are reversible.  Both adhere to previous hide glues as well,
> which is a real advantage in repairs to old furniture. 
> 
> Mike in Woodland
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 



-- 
Yorkshireman Galoot
in the most northerly county, farther north even than Yorkshire
IT #300