Official Luthiers Forum!

i'vv begun experimenting with this glue for my acoustic builds...the one in the brown bottle. I've enjoyed using it so far. does anyone have experience with it? pros? cons?
thanks,
Paul

If you search the posts here on the OLF (always a good idea lots of great stuff from the past) it's not recommended and you will find opinions all over the place about it.

I'm a professional Luthier who cannot have anything come back because I selected a glue that failed for one reason or another. We don't use it, won't use it and don't recommend it.

What's wrong with Titebond original if you need longer open time? What's wrong with Titebond Extend if you need even more open time? And what's wrong with good, ole traditional hot hide glue and learning like countless Luthiers have for hundreds of years to benefit from a great glue that has lots of opportunity to exploit the handling requirements to make it work for us?

Welcome to the OLF Paul.

I am just curious about it but did assume it was too good to be true. thanks

I agree with what Hesh said 100% however I have to say that I built my first classical guitar I believe in 1995 using Franklin LHG and I was just playing that guitar yesterday. What it comes down to is that I got lucky. The bottle of glue that I purchased probably at a hardware store back then just so happened to be fresh. I think that is the conclusion that those who study this stuff have come to.

So unless you know that the bottle you are purchasing was just made then it's not worth the risk. And even if the bottle was made a week ago still, don't use it

Good old Titebond Original for the win!

If you are talking about the cold hide glue in the brown bottle, I have used it with success. That said, I don't use it on everything, I prefer regular Titebond. The hide glue color matches some repairs better, and it's incredibly sticky. You have to work fast. It hasn't failed me.... yet.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

thanks all. appreciate the thoughts.

I have used liquid hide glue for a lot of various glue ups. One thing I have found is heating it to 120f or so works better for me. I use the Frank Fork method of heating a mug of water and placing the amount I will need in a little plastic pill cup in the mug. I hold the pill cup in place with a small spring clamp. I tend to use longer clamp times as well.

this stuff was reformulated a few years ago
will never use it again.
has a short shelf life if you want to use Hide glue get a pot and make it
you will be a lot happier

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

I use mostly HHG, but for gluing up things that take time, I use a Cabinetmakers glue from Lee Valley. It's as easy to use as Titebond, but dries glass hard. It's even good at gap-filling is your joints are not as good as they should be.