You know the glass that has an irregular surface and looks a bit like ice crystals? I recently learned that this is “chipped glass,” and the chipping is produced using–of all things–hide glue.
The glass is first sandblasted to roughen the surface, then hide glue is melted and applied in a thick layer. The glue shrinks considerably as it dries, ripping off flakes of glass.
Can this be the same hide glue used in woodworking? I was wondering if it causes wood to peel and crack, or pulls a join apart. Also, where can I buy it in small quantities? I’ve found stores that sell glassworking supplies, but the smallest package is five pounds.
Replies
There was an article about how hide glue is manufactured several years ago in FWW. If I remember correctly it said the glue used in glass chipping is actually quite a bit stronger than the glue sold for woodworking.
Actually, the hide glue used for 'glue chip glass' is of a lower gram strength than used for woodworking, but it is the same stuff.
Stephen
Stephen's right. I was wrong. Maybe that will teach me not to quote a 16 year old magazine article from memory. But probably not. :)
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