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I bought a couple of bottles of fish glue a year ago last August. The larger bottle, (1kg) has never been opened, I have opened the smaller one and used it on a couple of repairs. The bottles have been stored on a shelf in my workshop, ( ideally, I know now I should have stored them in a fridge).

Thing is, the label says that the expiry date was last August, so I am just wondering how seriously I should take that expiry date.

My intention is to use the fish glue to do all the gluing in my first acoustic build, which is slowly taking shape (well the individual components are taking shape) ...

I would assume that if I do a test on the glue, such as gluing a couple of planed bits of 3" x2" at right angles to each other, clamping up for a couple of days and then trying to break the joint, if the glue joint holds and the timber fractures, then I am good to go.

What I have a slight worry about is whether there is any evidence ( documented or anecdotal) that using out of date fish glue can lead to longer-term problems, and joint deterioration further down the line.

I have a bottle of fish glue dated 2005 recommended to be used by 2008. To date I have had no problems. I also test once a year and there has been no deterioration in strength or hold.

If it passes your test use it. Once dried there is very little to worry about except the introduction of water.

P.S. Fish glue doesn’t need to be refrigerated. A frig is a hostile environment for such glues.

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Michael Lloyd

“I was born to ignorance, yes, and lesser poverties ...
I was born to privilege that I did not see ... I didn’t know it, but my way was paved” – John Gorka

Michael - how is fish glue negatively affected by refrigeration? Just curious, as I have not heard that before. Thanks.

That's a good question, as it's a collagen glue, and can spoil, I suppose, like HHG. Frig is not a bad environment for HHG. What's the difference?

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I use Norland fish Glue , It can be frozen. I always check the glue with a test glue up when in doubt. So far I have not had a joint fail. You will know pretty fast if the glue is ok.

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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

From the tech guy at Norland, refrigeration will extend the life of the glue.

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Bryan Lafleur
www.lansegriseaccordions.com

Yeah... I got the same word from Norland. Refrigerate... & don't worry about shelf life. He said this stuff lasts for years if kept cool & tightly capped.

I too have a 1L bottle from 2007 that I'm only 1/2 way through. I've tested it once a year to date and never had glue failure. This stuff rocks. It's pretty much all I'm using these days.

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

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I too am working off the last of my 2008 stuff...............no probs, though time to re-order.

I keep my HHG for months in the fridge - without any problem until the day I do not close that jar really well which obviously happened to me twice so far. Due to all that fresh edible stuff (legumes, cheese, etc.) there always will be some bacteria and fungi present which of course will find its way into the not so well closed glue jar and it is only a question of time until mould develops. But if the glue jar is hermetically closed you can keep HHG glue for many months in the fridge. I guess it will be the same for fish glue, but so far I did not find it would be necessary to put it in the fridge, I only protect it from excessive heat like direct sun exposure etc.

The fish glue I have does not require refrigeration. No where does it say to refrigerate after opening. I keep it on the bench in my workshop ready to use at anytime.

A frig is a wet cold place filled with contaminants. Keep it cool and dry.

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Michael Lloyd

“I was born to ignorance, yes, and lesser poverties ...
I was born to privilege that I did not see ... I didn’t know it, but my way was paved” – John Gorka

I've not refrigerated my fish glue either. Bottle from Dec 07, still works like the day I bought it. Doesn't smell any different either. Best glue I've ever used.


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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

I just put some in the freezer to keep it until I need more. I know of some folks who after making up HHG freeze it in ice cube trays to have handy amounts to use as they need it. Never heard of them having problems, so I figured it should work with the fish glue, too. Hope I didn't just ruin a bunch....

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Chuck Kish

Actually, refrigerators, today, are very dry cold places. They used to be wet when you had cold wall systems, but now they are all cold air systems, and that air is dry, dry, dry. It's the reason leafy greens go limp if not kept in a special drawer.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I keep my fish glue in the fridge and it's been there for most of 2 years. I take it out and warm it in hot water before use........then back in the fridge.

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

You'll should be OK, I do this too. I go through about one liter of FG per year, and I keep a 4 liter bucket in the freezer (which is now down to 1...). Anyways, the glue seems to be working just fine.

I've never had any FG go bad, but I seem to remember someone here long ago (David Collins?) mentioning that the way to detect if its too old is to check how "tacky" it is when wet. The test (IIRC) was to rub some between your thumb and first finger, and then see how it behaves when your take them apart. Fresh glue should leave plenty of "strings" between the fingers, older glue not so much. Like I said, I've never had any go bad, so I've never been able to verify it...

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin