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I'm in the middle of a binding project and the lights went on - - - I have an unopened bottle of this glue. I'd like to get some experience using it on the bindings.

Suggestions, warnings, and opinions would be much appreciated. Open time, drying time, cleanup?

Thanks!

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Peter Havriluk

I have a few suggestions:

1. Check the date on the bottle. Old Brown Glue is hot hide glue with enough urea added to make it (mostly) liquid at room temperature. Hide glue can go bad. If the "best before" date is past, you run a risk that the glue has gone bad.

2. Even though the glue is technically liquid at room temperature, it works better if it is heated up slightly. If you read the bottle, you will see that the maker of Old Brown Glue recommends giving it a hot water bath before use. The open time is sort of irrelevant; it stays liquid. But you will like how it works better if you keep it warm until it is applied.

3. I like spreading it with a brush. You will make a mess spreading it with your fingers. Maybe that is unavoidable, in any event, when dealing with binding.

4. If you are using tape for the bindings, try to keep the glue out from under the tape. It will just make it harder for the tape to do its job. So, try not to be too messy.

5. It cleans up with water while it is still liquid, but once it dries, it dries hard. You might want to put some blue painter's tape on the sides, right below the binding channel. Any drips and gunk from the tape will be on the masking tape and not the side wood.

6. Let it dry overnight.

That about covers it, but really, a person working with Old Brown Glue would do themselves a big favor by learning how to work with hot hide glue, because that's what Old Brown Glue is, albeit with an additive that changes one aspect of the glue: whether it gels. It doesn't gel. It just dries. It is otherwise just hot hide glue.

Store it in the freezer and it will last for years. Drop the frozen bottle in a 150* hot water bath to warm it up to a warm liquid consistency the use it. After use allow it to cool in the fridge then put it back in the freezer if it’s going to be a while before you need to use it again. If you plan to use it again in a few days then just leave it in the fridge.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com