Hide glue connects us to centuries of furniture making tradition while offering practical advantages modern adhesives cannot match. Understanding this versatile material expands your options for joinery and repair work.
What Makes Hide Glue Special
Derived from animal collagen, hide glue creates strong bonds that remain reversible with heat and moisture. This reversibility enables repairs impossible with permanent synthetic glues. Antique restoration relies heavily on this property.
Types Available
Traditional hide glue comes as dry granules requiring soaking and heating before use. Liquid hide glue stays usable at room temperature but offers shorter working time. Both produce excellent joints when applied correctly.
Working Properties
Hide glue’s initial tack helps position parts during complex assemblies. The glue joint “creeps” slightly under sustained loads, an advantage for hammer veneering and bent laminations. Gap-filling properties suit imperfect joint fits better than PVA alternatives.
Preparation Requirements
Traditional hide glue needs a dedicated glue pot maintaining temperatures around 140°F. Premixed liquid versions skip this setup but cost more per ounce. Serious period furniture makers find the pot system worthwhile for extended work sessions.
When to Choose Hide Glue
Use hide glue for musical instruments where reversibility matters, antique repairs that may need future attention, hammer veneering, and period-correct construction. Modern PVA works fine when permanence is acceptable and working time demands flexibility.
