Since there were so many great responses to the post on getting started with hide glue I figured I would continue to stir the (hide glue) pot and start a discussion of liquid hide glue.
I have purchased several bottles of Old Brown Glue over the years and I think that Patrick Edwards makes a fantastic product. However, it is relatively expensive and making liquid hide glue at home seems to be a fairly simple endeavor, especially if you are already set up to use hot hide glue. So my question is why does it seem that so many people who use hot hide glue will purchase liquid hide glue when it seems so simple to make it yourself? Making your own liquid hide glue will give you the freshest possible glue and you can make it in any quantiy - thus avoiding spoilage. Liquid hide glue only calls for normal hide glue and one additional ingredient. Most people, including Patrick Edwards, suggest using urea. However, many other people recommend using plain old table salt in place of urea. One proponent of table salt is Don Williams (see Woodworking Magazine Winter 2009). I highly respect Don?s opinion in this area since he has an extensive knowledge of furniture restoration, period finishes, and chemistry; plus he is a fellow SAPFM member.
So for those of you who use hot hide glue, but still purchase liquid hide glue - why? For those of you who make your own liquid hide glue, what is your formula - urea or salt, ratios, etc.?
I am currently experimenting with a formulation of 30% table salt by weight relative to the weight of dry hide glue. The results so far have been good. I plan to write some more thoughts on this subject on my website later today www.blendedwoodworking.com. I started writing it here and it just got too long.
Looking forward to your responses,
-Phil
I have purchased several bottles of Old Brown Glue over the years and I think that Patrick Edwards makes a fantastic product. However, it is relatively expensive and making liquid hide glue at home seems to be a fairly simple endeavor, especially if you are already set up to use hot hide glue. So my question is why does it seem that so many people who use hot hide glue will purchase liquid hide glue when it seems so simple to make it yourself? Making your own liquid hide glue will give you the freshest possible glue and you can make it in any quantiy - thus avoiding spoilage. Liquid hide glue only calls for normal hide glue and one additional ingredient. Most people, including Patrick Edwards, suggest using urea. However, many other people recommend using plain old table salt in place of urea. One proponent of table salt is Don Williams (see Woodworking Magazine Winter 2009). I highly respect Don?s opinion in this area since he has an extensive knowledge of furniture restoration, period finishes, and chemistry; plus he is a fellow SAPFM member.
So for those of you who use hot hide glue, but still purchase liquid hide glue - why? For those of you who make your own liquid hide glue, what is your formula - urea or salt, ratios, etc.?
I am currently experimenting with a formulation of 30% table salt by weight relative to the weight of dry hide glue. The results so far have been good. I plan to write some more thoughts on this subject on my website later today www.blendedwoodworking.com. I started writing it here and it just got too long.
Looking forward to your responses,
-Phil