Ground HIDE GLUE

HIGH CLARITY HIDE GLUE
(192 Gram Strength)

To mix hide glue, the dry granules must be soaked in cold water before heating them
in a Hot Water bath or Hide Glue Pot. 

1. Choose a Mixing Ratio 

The ideal ratio depends on your task and the "gram strength" of your glue (typically 192g used for most woodworking).

   Example ratios include:
General Purpose:
1 part glue to 2 parts waters,
(by weight is best or by volume).
Stronger/Thicker Bond:
1 part glue to 1 part water.
Thin Sizing/Cracks:
1 part glue to 3 or more parts water. 

2. SOAK the dry Hide Glue 

Place the dry granules or pearls into a glass jar or heat-resistant container.
Add cold water to the jar. Do not use hot water at this stage, as it can cause lumps.
Stir the mixture and let it sit.
The granules will absorb the water, yielding a texture like "fish eggs" or tapioca.
Time:
Soak for 30–60 minutes, or best 6 to 8 hours. 

3. HEAT the Soaked Glue Mixture

Double Boiler Setup: Place your jar in a hot water bath (a glue pot, baby bottle warmer,
or a small crock pot filled with water).
Target Temperature:
Heat the glue to - 140°F – 145°F (60°C – 63°C).
Caution: DO NOT OVERHEAT.
Temperatures exceeding 150°F will break down the proteins and significantly weaken the glue's bond. Stir occasionally until the granules are completely dissolved and the liquid is smooth. 

4. Adjust Consistency

The glue is ready when it drips from your brush in a steady, thin stream like
warm maple syrup.
If too thick:
Add a small amount of hot water.
If too thin:
Leave the lid off the jar while heating to allow some water to evaporate. 

••• Storage and Reuse

Refrigerate: Keep leftover glue in a sealed
jar in the refrigerator for 1–4 weeks.
Reheat: To reuse, simply place the jar back into the 140°F water bath.
Discard: If the glue smells bad or shows signs of mold, throw it away and clean the container thoroughly.

 
••• Additional Tips

Open Time: To slow the set time for complex assemblies, you can add small amounts of urea (up to 15% of dry weight) or table salt (up to 3%).
Temperature Control:
Marbles placed in the glue jar will help retain heat when removing glue jar from the water bath for use. 
Tenons should be kept warm:
A trick used by Windsor chair makers to avoid premature glue tack, and to ensure ease of assembly.
Wood parts should be warm
(not hot) for ease of gluing. Cold surfaces will accelerate glue tack and shorten working time.

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Shellac.net Wood Finish Supply
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