Double Bass Hide Glue for Dummies (Pictorial)

[rgarcia26]

1) Buy some good quality glue, Mine is 192 Gram Strength

2) Hide Glue/Water 1 part hide 2 parts water BY WEIGHT (I know this can this may varies depending on many factors but this is the standard for 192)

.... Hey you can be more precise if you like...!!!



2) Allow glue to Absorb water instructions said overnight; I let it sit for 45 Min

Just after Adding water:

Few Minutes after:

More time:

3) When it feels like caviar its ready to be heated/cooked (PS I never have caviar in my life)

I got this water warmer from amazon for $13.. I keep the water between 140f to 160f. The thermometer I got it in Publix I think it was $4....

IMPORTANT!!! See Note at the end of the second post

 

[rgarcia26]

Heat the glue until is 100% liquid

Not Ready....

Not Ready...

Not yet just be patient

Done:

Some said that it should should feel like honey, mine is a lot thinner

Well if you are not using all at the same time like me, you can do this:

Let it cool just like Gelatin

Few minutes after....

I do store mine in a Ziploc bag and a container:

Never have any problem with the glue going bad... it last for weeks...

TIP's
1)Hide Glue gels very fast, open time is about a minute (it may be more but you have to work fast)
2)Heat the gluing surfaces before applying the glue this will give you more time to Work. (you can use a hair dryer or heat gun for this)

NOTE: One important point mentioned by TB members, keep the Thermometer in the Hide Glue instead the water and wait till its 145!!! And you are done…

 

[rgarcia26]

Well I hope this help, I am very new at this, and I was having a very hard time dealing with hide glue until I figured out how to prepare it.. I know other may have a different approach this is only one of thousands....

 

[Turnaround]

Basically, this is the approach I have used... until recently. I found that when I measured the water in the "bath" I got one temperature, but when I actually took the temperature of the glue, it was lots lower. Now I measure the water to get into the ballpark then move the thermometer into the glue itself. Once the glue stabilizes at 145 degrees I'm good to go.

 

[George700DL]

I have the same exact crockpot - it cost me about $15. Crapped out on me as soon as I finished building my bass. But at least it lasted for those 3-4 months.

Now I just use an electric heater with a couple of cans.

George

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Hey, that's a pretty good tutorial! There is one thing though...you can't take the glue over 150 degrees F. or the proteins degrade.

For the record, I also have one of those Soup Warmers and its been doing fine for several years now.

 

[bigolbassguy]

I heat the glue in one of those old-fashioned canning jars. The lid is very handy, and prevents skinning/evaporation.

btw, Jake - I do use a thermometer now

I have an old, beat up Hold Heet pot that works fine for me. The glue is always at 145, as long as there's plenty of water in the liner.

 

[rgarcia26]

Basically, this is the approach I have used... until recently. I found that when I measured the water in the "bath" I got one temperature, but when I actually took the temperature of the glue, it was lots lower. Now I measure the water to get into the ballpark then move the thermometer into the glue itself. Once the glue stabilizes at 145 degrees I'm good to go.

true... good tip

 

[rgarcia26]

Hey, that's a pretty good tutorial! There is one thing though...you can't take the glue over 150 degrees F. or the proteins degrade.

For the record, I also have one of those Soup Warmers and its been doing fine for several years now.

I know but the warmer spike rapidly to the 160's. then I turn it down, so i wont burn the glue... I usually keep it bet 140's to 150's

 

[Turnaround]

I know but the warmer spike rapidly to the 160's. then I turn it down, so i wont burn the glue... I usually keep it bet 140's to 150's

Your method is probably fine. You saw what I said about the glue being a different temp than the bath. So heat the water to 160, then start taking the temp of the glue itself. You'll likely find that the glue is not even at 150.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

I know but the warmer spike rapidly to the 160's. then I turn it down, so i wont burn the glue... I usually keep it bet 140's to 150's

I never adjust the thermostat, I just leave it at the right heat. I have my thermometer in the glue because that's the temperature that matters.

 

[Cody Sisk]

I have an old percolator coffee maker from the 70's that I use that works very much like that plastic boiler. It seems to hold the temp a lot more consistent and I got it at Goodwill for $5.

 

[Kaybo]

A baby bottle warmer can be another inexpensive option, so long as you can adjust it to the proper temperature. I've picked up several at a second-hand baby clothes store for around $5, I used them for the shop I work for part-time. They both crapped out after a year. My own personal glue pot is a Hold-Heet. I had to have it rebuilt last year for $75 after the innards completely corroded after 13 years of reliable service.

 

[Matthew Tucker]

Love glue threads

I posted a similar one here

I mix up a lot less glue at a time, it seems to be fully swollen after only 10 mins or so (the pearl glue takes longer but the ground stuff mentioned above is really quick) and I only heat to the point where the glue melts, no hotter. I don't use a thermometer any more.

And there's another thread over at ANZLF that might be of interest to TB.

 

[gbaker]

About storage of mixed glue. You can freeze it. It will keep for months maybe years frozen. And you can refreeze it about four times. I zap it with 8 seconds in the microwave (for a couple ounces) to thaw it fast. Not too long or it will cook.

 

[rgarcia26]

Love glue threads

I posted a similar one here

I mix up a lot less glue at a time, it seems to be fully swollen after only 10 mins or so (the pearl glue takes longer but the ground stuff mentioned above is really quick) and I only heat to the point where the glue melts, no hotter. I don't use a thermometer any more.

And there's another thread over at ANZLF that might be of interest to TB.

Yeah I read yours few months ago....
What I really would like from HG is to give me some extra time to work... I heard fish glue take longer to gel.. but its too hard

 

[rgarcia26]

About storage of mixed glue. You can freeze it. It will keep for months maybe years frozen. And you can refreeze it about four times. I zap it with 8 seconds in the microwave (for a couple ounces) to thaw it fast. Not too long or it will cook.

I haven’t try that... I put my on the Refrigerator. It have never went bad, well sealed of course.

Ps if you do the Cubes, you just take what you need from the Freezer and It will last for ever... I will try that next time that way I can make tons of HG and kept then for ever frozen

 

[rgarcia26]

Let it heat untill it say BEEF RARE

 

[rgarcia26]

Love glue threads

I posted a similar one here

I mix up a lot less glue at a time, it seems to be fully swollen after only 10 mins or so (the pearl glue takes longer but the ground stuff mentioned above is really quick) and I only heat to the point where the glue melts, no hotter. I don't use a thermometer any more.

And there's another thread over at ANZLF that might be of interest to TB.

I wonder about that... it that makes a diferece??? take it to 120F or 145F???

 

[arnoldschnitzer]

I poke a small hole in my jar lid, screw it in place, and stick the thermometer through it. That way the glue does not thicken, and I can keep an eye on the temp.