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just out of curiosity, why isnt hide glue used for pore filling? seems like it would make an excellent pore filler and there shouldnt be any issues with final finishes not sticking to it either...

One more question from someone that hasnt used it before...

When you mix up a batch of hide glue, do you have to trash that batch if you let it cool down overnight or is re-warming it acceptable? Does re-heating the glue affect the strength in any way? What about keeping it warm for too long? Is there a shelf life to it?

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Reguards,

Ken H

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My wife uses hide glue under her finishes. Gives that nice crackle effect....

I've never tried hide glue as a pore filler but it has certainly been done. Robert Bouchet used to do it, but it has been said that there is a loss of clarity in his finishes because of this approach. I'm not sure how true that is since I've never tried it and never had a Bouchet in my hands though. It would be interesting to try.

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Instagram: @jfrenchluthier
Web: https://www.jfrenchguitars.com/

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I wonder if Fish Glue could be used for filler? It tends to dry darker than HHG, but it sure is hard when dry. It will be sealed in anyway, so seems like it should work.

I remember reading a thread about using egg whites for filler. Does anyone still do that? How does it work?

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Waddy

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Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Egg whites are not a filler per se, but rather a sealer and an adhesion promoter. Romanillos advocates it's use, and I learned about it from Monica Esparza.

The 192 is great for glue lines that just disappear, and properly used, it's strong enough for any joint you care to do with it.

Some of the higher gram strength glues are less shock resistant, and violin makers like them as the glue lines can be shocked with a good rap to make it easy to take the top off. Seems counter-intuitive, but that's how it works. Ditto with the old way of removing Martin bridges using a 1" chisel and a mallet. I never had the cojones to try that...

Frank Ford does not work at LMI; he's co-owner of Gryphon Stringed Instruments.

Yes Waddy, I use egg white on all of my lute and guitar tops.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

When I bought my barrel(IE: lifetime's supply) of hide glue, I had the choice of clean, clear glue, or dirty brown glue. Both of which are more than strong enough for any use. Price was the same....

Choice was simple....

And high clarity glue isn't made via any special process. It's simply made from pork, where regular glue is made from bovine.

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Write him back and ask what the special process is, and if it's the process of using pork vs cattle.

Since we're beating this dead horse further(no pun intended)...

ok, I bought the 192g hide glue and mixed it up about 1.8 to 1. When you say it is supposed to be the consistency of honey, does this mean when itis 140 degrees or when it is room temperature?


The directions say to mix it by weight, not by volume... unfortunately, I dont own a gram scale. Is there a magic number to go by when mixing it by volume?

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Reguards,

Ken H

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