Official Luthiers Forum!

Here in the UK I can't seem to find a source of hide glue, but can get pearl glue easily and wonderd if Pearl Glue would be a satisfactory subsitiute to Hide Glue?

Here's a link to what is obtainable
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Libe ... -22992.htm

Thanks

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Formerly JJH

I learn more from my mistakes than my successes

It reads as though that this "Pearl Glue" is in fact, Hide glue.

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http://www.birkonium.com CNC Products for Luthiers
http://banduramaker.blogspot.com

I would suspect it to be closer related to fish glue than hide glue. both are collagen glues but the proteins are different

If you look at the specs, it says "Type: Scotch/Animal" Checking here: http://www.geoffswoodwork.co.uk/adhesives.htm we see "Animal. Known as scotch glue (yes glue!), pearl or hide glue." or here: http://www.jarviser.co.uk/jarviser/tools3.html both UK sites.

I'd say it's hide glue.

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http://www.birkonium.com CNC Products for Luthiers
http://banduramaker.blogspot.com

Pearl glue and hide glue are the same thing - it's hide glue in the form of little 'pearls' or pellets. It's also known as animal glue and seems to be a little harder to find over here than in the U.S. Also, the gram strength is never stated, but it seems to work fine.
Cheers,
Bri

FWIW david dyke stocks hide glue

on a related note, does anyone know where I can get a glue pot in the UK?

tar

Jonny

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"Anything that happens, happens. Anything that in happening causes something else to happen, causes something else to happen. Anything that in happening happens again, happens again. Though not necessarily in that order." Douglas Adams

Well my natural insects thought of mucilin when I read Pear glue.

No - pearl glue is no substitute for HHG.....

I had a hunch that we had discussed this prior so I checked the archives and sure enough there is some good info there - lots of it. Here is one thread I found that you will find interesting - apparently the stuff is not only weak but it stinks to high heaven too........

http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=4448&p=48984&hilit=+pearl+glue+#p48984

If you want to read more info just search on "pearl glue" in quotes and be sure that you select the "archives" as the forum.

Not so fast Heshy,

I seemed to recall something from my past and found this: http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx ... 42965&ap=1

I'll bet that pearl glue means different things to different folk. I'd call em up and ask them.

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http://www.birkonium.com CNC Products for Luthiers
http://banduramaker.blogspot.com

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Tony, did you ask them about any retail shop selling their glue? I am not exactly willing to buy a 30 Kg sack, even if it sounds dirt cheap at 2 euro per Kg.
I recently bought hide glue from Dick for 7.85 euro per Kg. It doesn't say where it is from and what gram strength. Haven't tried it yet and no previous hide glue exp so i can't comment on it.

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Build log

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Thanks! I'll send them an email. Thanks for the offer too, you are too kind! It would be quite fun to have some of this shipped back all the way from NZ!

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Build log

Hesh,

So you have used it then and done some trials?

Pearl glue is nothing like fish glue. It comes in granular form like hide glue and is prepared and used the same way. It is made from animal bones rather than just the hides. It is slightly darker in colour and certainly has more of a smell. When I was out of hide glue and couldn't afford the shipping for the 192 stuff from either the US or Central Europe I built a guitar for my daughter Jessica using Pearl glue. Working wise and tonally it was just like hhg. Issues with it may (and I say MAY as there is a lot of folk tales around that when you track them down are from people that haven't used the stuff but heard from someone, who heard from someone, who heard from someone . . .) be longer term in terms of mold spores etc. Which reminds me to put some hhg, fish and pearl glue on a scrap piece of wood and leave it out in outside to see what happens.

If I had both I'd use the hot hide glue, but would happily make an instrument using pearl glue.

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

Jonny,

If you want to spend a fortune (around £150 or so) then Touchstone Tonewoods and others sell glue pots. If not go to Mothercare and buy a baby bottle warmer for £10-15 - they do exactly the same job.

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

I've used Pearl Glue on a guitar restoration about 20 years ago. It is much the same as any hide glue that is available except that it stinks.

Working properties are roughly the same.

Bob

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Bob Connor
Geelong, Australia

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Tony, I've heard you recommend this glue many times now. I'm going to order me some, and I'll blame you if this doesn't take my instrument to that next level. Working my way through 30 kg's of glue that I don't like could lead to a long lasting grudge...

Just kidding. I think it is sensible to have a large supply of good glue and really get to know its working properties by working with it over time, no more guess work! My New Year's resolution is to cut back on the fish glue.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

So at Sterling's current level and after shipping and duty that would be . . . £150 or so

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

Arnt,

Well in the current economic climate, you could always just eat it

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

Just because I'm Norwegian and like to eat lutefisk and smalove http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smalahove, people start assuming things...

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

I keep drooling after it too and I've had it on my last 2 orders with them and always removed it in the last second. 220$ (including VAT) is

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Build log

Dave read the archived thread - both Mario and David don't like pearl glue and do not describe it as a substitute for HHG. I don't need to do my own trials when such credible contributors are in agreement that pearl glue is not a substitute for HHG..........

I am happy for you that you liked it though - but the fact remains HHG and pearl glue are not the same thing and according to others they do not have the same working properties and according to Mario pearl glue is weak also.

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