Best Glue?

KenH · Post by **KenH** » Sun Jun 02, 2013 9:12 pm

I live in hot, humid Florida aboard a sailboat. I had thought to use hide glue to glue up my next project (an all-wood Scythian) but I'm afraid that that glue won't hold well enough in my environment. Alternatives?

I have successfully used TitebondII in the past on two-wood bows and such. It may not be historically accurate, but it will work. What do you think?

AttilaKosa · Post by **AttilaKosa** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 12:20 am

Ken, if you are ok with plastic on your bow....an air conditioner, dehumidifier, electric fan run off solar panels might get you a better environment for the job

Uli · Post by **Uli** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 7:32 am

Nice location.
The drying process will be prolonged but in principle it should work.

AttilaKosa · Post by **AttilaKosa** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 8:13 pm

Many people seem to successfully dry and cure the animal glue in less than perfect environments, The uk is often wet 80% RH, and sometimes if I leave some glue in the pot,a day later it has mould growing on it and smells rotten! If the wet air near the surface of the bow moves away from the bow for the first few days, you should be fine. an open window and a little wind coming in will move the air enough.

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Tue Jun 04, 2013 1:36 am

I was taught a trick by an old violin maker. He squeezed some fresh garlic juice into his glue. He said it prevented mould growth. It probably improved the smell of the glue too.

Uli · Post by **Uli** » Tue Jun 04, 2013 5:15 pm

thats a nice tip Bede

Uli · Post by **Uli** » Tue Jun 04, 2013 5:18 pm

thats a nice tip Bede

KenH · Post by **KenH** » Tue Jun 18, 2013 7:31 pm

Update -- the hide glue worked perfectly with Red Elm; but not well at all with Osage.

The Red Elm scarf joins were firm and nice after setting overnight. Conversely, under the same environmental conditions, the Osage scarfs joints, after most of a week, are still tacky and next to worthless.

I'm considering scraping the hide glue off and using TBII, which test joints are showing me works just fine.

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Wed Jun 19, 2013 3:54 am

Osage needs degreasing to use with hide glue according to some books on bow making in America. There may be details in the Traditional Bowyers' Bibles. I remember it in the context of laminating osage. There is something in the wood that prevents a good bond, but it can be washed out without hurting the wood.

paku · Post by **paku** » Wed Jun 19, 2013 6:32 am

For osage gluing. Prepare the surface as usual for gluing, than brush it with 10% NaOH wait 5 min rinse it with a lot hot and cold water.