Replies

1. 
   Sphere | Dec 13, 2003 06:55am | #1

   Depends on the glue..go for thin honey like viscosity.

2. 
   SgianDubh | Dec 13, 2003 07:02am | #2

   Jerry, I assume you are talking about the dry pearl, granule, or block of glue that you dissolve in water and heat in a double boiler. In this case put an amount of glue into your pot, and just slightly more than cover it with water. Leave this for an hour or two to dissolve if it's the fine granular stuff, to overnight if it's the solid hard block type that you have to break up with a hammer after wrapping with a cloth to prevent shards and splinters.

   After it's dissolved to a thick sludge-- which might need a bit more water to keep the glue just covered, put your pot into the boiler, and warm it up. As it warms to the prefered 145ºF±  add just a little more water to keep it nicely liquid. Once it reaches the full temperature test the consistency by dipping in a stick or brush, lift it out and the glue should run off in a thin unbroken stream until the supply of liquid glue on the stick/brush just about runs out.

   If it 'gloops' off in sticky blobs, it's too thick. If it runs off as a thin broken dribble, it's too thin. Adjust accordingly. Most instructions say to only mix what you need for the job in hand to keep the glue fresh and retain strength. I've found that I can just keep adding glue and water to the pot for quite a while-- perhaps a month without encountering any kind of problem, and I've gone a lot longer than that. As a matter of general routine I tend to clean the pot out and start afresh after about four to six weeks. Slainte.  

    

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3. 
   RMillard | Dec 13, 2003 07:09am | #3

   Jerry

   I use hide glue for all my work, but I must confess that I never measure the ratio of water to glue. There are two reasons for this, first I’m incredibly lazy. Second, in use you must continually add water to compensate for evaporation, so why measure the components now, only to have to adjust it later ( I guess this ties into being lazy again). I put the amount of glue I think I need in a can and add water until the granules are covered. Let this sit for a half hour or so, and heat, when the glue melts it will in all probability be too thick, so I add water until the glue runs off the brush in a steady stream. If the glue is too thick, it sort of globs off the brush and when too thin, it drops off in individual beads. Many people advocate heating the glue and letting it cool, and then reheating before use, but I have not found this at all necessary or even helpful.

   Rob Millard