3lb Ground Hide Glue Crystals, 192 gram, High Clarity, Piano/Cabinet/Luthier Use

Description

3 pounds of 315 gram strength granulated hide glue, High clarity (less visible glue joints).  See note below about glue pots/double boilers.  I've used hide glue for many, many years for all types of piano, player piano, woodworking and cabinet repair.  Gluing felt to wood, wood to wood (for joints like jack flange to wippen that may need separating years later) rubber pneumatic cloth to pneumatics, pneumatics to decks (which WILL need separating in 40 or so years), leather and cork gaskets to various player parts, etc.  Great glue, strong and can be separated later as needed (unlike many modern glues).
Use with a glue pot or double boiler setup at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. DON'T DON'T DON'T use the small glue pots made for hot glue chips (even though some sellers offer them for this purpose) - they get too hot.  If you exceed 150+ degrees Fahrenheit for more than a few minutes it alters the protein chains in the glue and significantly weakens the bond.  Dry glue crystals can be stored a very long time if kept dry.  Glue mixed with water should be kept in the refrigerator when not in use.  I have personally heated and reheated hide glue a number of times with perfectly fine results - but - If you notice mold or white spots forming in the glue after a few weeks, discard and mix a fresh batch. Gluing some test pieces of wood and deliberately breaking the joint is a good way to see if the working time and strength of hide glue is sufficient for your needs.  We sell different gram strengths in quantities as small as 4oz which is a great way to see a particular gram strength suits your needs before purchasing a larger quantity.
Let’s discuss jelly gram strength (the number of grams required to depress a 1/2" plunger 4mm into a quantity of glue that has been mixed to a 12.5% solution and cooled to 10 degrees celsius for 16 hours): gram strength does not necessarily refer to the strength of the bond (though there are subtle differences) but rather the set time of the glue. A 192 strength glue will have a longer open time than a 251 - the lower the number, the longer the open time (and vice versa). So, if you are using hide glue for woodworking and need a little extra working time (say for guitar or violin work) many folks prefer 192. For gluing felt where a quick set is preferred, we’ll use a 315 (or higher, depending on desired set time - I’ve gone as high as 379).
Regular versus high clarity: if using in an application where minimal visibility of glue joints is desired (cabinet, carcase, guitar/violin or other musical instrument bodies) we recommend high clarity as it has less visible glue lines. For applications where visibility isn’t an issue, regular clarity is fine.
Multiple grams strengths in regular and high clarity are available in my eBay store.
For the initial overnight soak (I use a glass jar filled about halfway up and punch a hole the size of my glue brush in the lid that came with the jar and that allows me to keep it covered when not in use) I fill the jar up about halfway and add enough water to just cover the glue crystals.
As with the vast majority of my auctions, this item is in stock and ready to ship and goes out no later than the next business day - often the same day if ordered by noon.
Why use hide glue? It's been used for hundreds of years, tacks up quickly, holds well and if you ever need to reverse it a little moisture and heat will separate parts with little or no damage - that pretty much doesn't happen with modern glues.  If you glue down some felt and for whatever reason need to change it later it can be removed using the aforementioned technique and the glue residue sanded or scraped away.  Modern glues usually do not scrape well or sand without gumming up.
I've been a full time piano technician for over 30 years - if you have any questions please ask - I'm glad to help.
All hide glue comes with a silica gel pack, to absorb moisture and help extend the life of the glue.