rabbit / hide glue recipe

Uilleag · Post by **Uilleag** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 12:43 pm

Greetings all,

Once upon a time, I printed off the recipe that was posted here, but now I can't find it. I've tried a search for the thread and can't seem to find it through all of the matches that came up.

If anyone has it handy, or can just recite the recipe from memory, that would be great. I don't want to make more than I need, so a ratio of hide glue to water would be helpful.....

Sagebowman · Post by **Sagebowman** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:49 pm

Wolf, I am not sure what you are using the glue for, but I use hide glue for violin repairs. I use a heaping teaspoon to about 3-4 oz of hot water and let oit sit for several hours covered to soften the crystalized glue. then I thin it with enough water for the appropriate job, usually no more than another 3-4 oz. Used filtered or distilled water for best results. A double boiler set up (pot of water with a ceramic cup or stainless container) works great. Glass is not the best because hide glue is capable of etching and causing the glass to flake. About 175 degrees F. is what my glue pot's thermostat is set at. Much hottter and you will cook it and possible burn the glue. If you have leftover glue, cover it and refrigerate it. It will keep this way for several months. Just don't use it for gravy makings!!!!!!!
Gene

Maelgwyn · Post by **Maelgwyn** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:13 pm

Thanks Gene! I just followed the recipe on the box...1 teaspoon per cup of water as I recall. I let it sit 24 hours or so to disolve and then warm it a bit to use. I hadn't considered refrigeration but it makes perfect sense.

Uilleag · Post by **Uilleag** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:24 pm

I actually found the recipe as well, and converted the large sizes down. I am trying 1 1/3 cup of water to 1 tblspn of sizing.

This will be used to harden leather as part of the baking process. Thanks for the info!

It will be sitting throughour the day, if I have the energy after fighter practice tonight, it will get applied and baked, (around 10:30 - 1100 pm) If I am too tired to attempt it tonight, it will be first thing in the morning. Should I refrigerate the glue over night, before I heat it, or will it be fine to sit overnight on the counter?

Russ Mitchell · Post by **Russ Mitchell** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:35 pm

Take a piece of advice? Scale your glue's thinness to the depth of penetration you're trying to achieve in the leather...

Uilleag · Post by **Uilleag** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 3:29 pm

Are you saying to make it thinner to penetrate deeper? How about coating both sides of the leather?

Russ Mitchell · Post by **Russ Mitchell** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 4:09 pm

I wouldn't suggest doing both sides unless you've got a specific reason to do so. Otherwise, bingo. Now, of course, you've also got to reckon on whether you want a more deeply-penetrated uberlight gluing... or a fairly surface stouter gluing...

Maelgwyn · Post by **Maelgwyn** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 5:28 pm

Or a light gluing with full penetration, followed by stouter surface glueing with white powder added (gesso), which would seem to produce the results observed by Chris Dobson on the surviving pieces.