Replies

1. 
   ETG | Sep 20, 2002 07:57pm | #1

   I usually start with a boiling tea pot - hold the glued area over the steam for a few minutes - be very careful - steam is superheated so it can really cause serious burns!  See if you get any movement in the joint after say 3 to 5 minutes of steam.  If not, then I go to the next step which is soaking a very absorbent cloth in very hot water - use gloves and wring it out  then wrap the cloth around the joint and let it sit for a half hour - again test the joint.  If you have movement, then you are breaking the glue joint loose and you just need to continue the process.  If there is no movement, you may have a problem with the glue - it could be a water resistant glue or worse, epoxy in which case you will need to cut/break the joint.  Good luck!

   By the way - this is one of those tasks that cause all woodworkers to cringe - knowing it can get ugly if epoxy or similar adhesive is used!

2. 
   BenM | Sep 20, 2002 07:57pm | #2

   If it's 80-90 years old it's almost certainly hide glue.  Warm water will soften the hide glue.  Also check if a pin may be holding the panel to the rail; it would be located at the center of the rail.

1. 
   Shepherd1800 | Sep 20, 2002 08:24pm | #3

   You can also inject alcohol into the joint which will crystalize hide glue allowing the joint to be disassembled.

   Stephen

1. 
   user-3662281 | Sep 20, 2002 09:22pm | #5

   Thanks, Stephen. I'll try the alcohol, but how do you inject it?

   Shawn

1. 
   Shepherd1800 | Sep 20, 2002 10:39pm | #6

   I use a hypodermic needle (clean used insulin needle is very small) to introduce the alcohol into the joint.  Be careful as the alcohol will dissolve shellac or spirit based varnishes.  If the joint is slightly loose, you might try just dripping the alcohol into the joint, it may wick in and loosen the hide glue.  It workes by desiccating the hide glue allowing it to be disassembled.  Once it is loose, just clean out most (not all) of the old hide glue and introduce new hide glue (either hot or ready to use liquid form [check the expiration date]) into the joint and clamp and allow to dry for 24 hours.

    

   Stephen

1. 
   user-3662281 | Sep 20, 2002 10:43pm | #7

   Thanks, Stephen!

   Shawn

2. 
   UncleDunc | Sep 20, 2002 11:06pm | #8

   >> ... clean used insulin needle ...

   If you don't know a practicing diabetic, you can buy new ones. A package of ten is about $2.40 at my pharmacy. In some parts of the country you may have to register your name and address.

   You can also get irrigation syringes without needles, but I don't know how much they cost.

   Turkey baster?

3. 
   Shepherd1800 | Sep 21, 2002 12:41am | #9

   Uncle Dunc,

   You may need one with a small needle, I got a great syringe from a vet one time, used it for introducing hide glue under veneer bubbles. but the needle was quite large.  Try your local country doctor and see if they have any extras.  You want to disinfect them with alcohol, oh wait that is what you are using.  Just be careful.

    

   Stephen Shepherd

2. 
   user-3662281 | Sep 20, 2002 09:21pm | #4

   Thanks. I'll give it a try!

   Shawn