Official Luthiers Forum!

What do you guys use for the best mix of Hide Glue for luthiery? The Woodcraft canister I have says 1:1, but other research indicated up to 2 part water:1 part granule.
Also, how tight do I crank the clamps? I have read posts about "starving" the joints. What's the concern there?
Oh, and what is a good recommended cure time before removing the clamps?
Thanks.

-j.
j.Brown38745.9490856482

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

I mix mine by consistency. In my little bottle I like the glue to run freely
out, but not pour out. normally that puts the mix ratio at around 55%
water, but batches can be different.

I do clamps pretty much the same I do Titebond.

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

I know that the Brune's recommend 315 gram weight hide glue if I am not mistaken. Can anyone here explain what the different gram weights mean?

I mix thin and clamp lightly.

The strength of the glue itself is intrinsic: once the gel forms and the water dries out the material that's left will be whatever it is. The more water you put in, the more it will shrink as it dries, and if there's not enough in the joint the _joint_ will not be strong. Thus you sort of have to learn how much to clamp it for the mix you use.

I think the cabinet makers use it thick because they generally need to apply some clamping force just to pull things in. The glue has to be thick enough to stay put under that force. We tend to make things to fit really well, or pull in with minimal force, so we don't need to use glue that thick.

More water in the mix gives a longer working time. That's something we often need!

I mix it 1 part glue to 1.8 parts of distilled water (by weight). In practical terms, I mix a batch that consists of 55 grams of glue dissolved in 100 grams (ml) of distilled water. That seems to be an amount that is of a reasonable quantity to suite my meager build schedule.

I soak the solution in a closed jar over night. Next day I heat it in 140* water intil it is liquid. I then transfer it into small plastic applicator bottles with little or no air head space. For long term storage I wrap the bottles in several layers of freezer wrap and store in the freezer. My working bottle stays in the refrigerator until I'm ready to do some gluing. I've used refrigerated glue for 2 months. I believe that the frozen stuff is probably good indefinitely. Perhaps David Collins can chime in here.

I use moderate clamping force.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com