Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi Everyone!

I just received a bottle of Fish Glue and looking for some imput about it...

I'm usually a fan of Titebond for structural seams, because it's easy to apply, with an open time that don't push you to go hell fast. I also like to use HHG when I'm able to, like for braces, bindings, etc... But it's kind of boring to diluate it, heat it and everything.. plus that you have a really short open time.

So, what are you experiences with this glue? How do you like it, and where and when do you use it?

Thanks!
Francis

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Francis Richer, Montréal
Les Guitares F&M Guitars

Dont know about fish glue....All i know is I'm a fan of hide glue....Used it for the last six or so builds for the whole guitar!!!

I like fish glue for all the reasons Filippo mentioned. Plus, I have had really good results on oily wood, like cocobolo. I was finally sold on the stuff when I tried it on one particularly oily Brazilian rosewood back joint that repeatedly failed with all other glues I tried. (AR, West Epoxy, PU, med viscosity CA...) In this case, fish glue beat 'em all, hands down.

There have been a couple of recent, extensive fish glue threads that shouldn't be back more than a couple of pages.

I like it a lot for all the reasons mentioned above. On the repairability issue, I have found in my limited experience that fish glue joints are really hard to get apart when you need to, compared to Titebond or even epoxy. It doesn't respond much to heating alone.
Titebond is still more convenient to use for shop projects, as it needs less clamping and drying time, but I don't even own a bottle of it anymore.

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

Love it. I use it for lining to sides and tops/backs to rims due to the open time. I brush it on with one of those small disposable brushes to get a nice clean even coat and you dont have to worry about rushing as with hide glue. I still use hide for bracing though.

I've been using FG for over 3 years now to glue tops and backs and love the results. I mostly lay down educated beads and rarely need to spread it with a brush.

There was one incident early on that bears mentioning. On the quart container that Norland's product is packaged it clearly states, "Stir Before Using". I found this to be important in my initial trials...the solids need to be kept in suspension. So now I stir the quart while it's at room temperature before transferring to my working 2 oz. squeeze bottle that I keep in the shop. The remainder of the quart is refrigerated where, while cold, the viscosity increases and solids won't settle out. Next time I need to refill the squeeze bottle, I warm up to RT and replenish.

I still use HHG for bracing and bridges.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I use it on everything but for the fretboard to neck (but I think I might give it a try next time round). Oh, I use CA to glue bindings/purflings on, and heal caps too. These are not stressed joints mind you so I'm fine with the CA (and it's just so darn quick )

I shake the bottle everytime I go to use it. I'm just coming up to 3 years on the bottle that I have. I did a simple break test, two pieces of 1x1 glued together, 2" overlap, clamped overnight and next day I had total wood failure when bashing it apart. The glue smells the same as it did the day I got it. I know some would say to toss it and get a "fresh" bottle but there seems to be no difference with it's quality 3 years later...

Fish glue rocks!

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Pretty much my experience too. I really like the stuff.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Francis

If you are using the Lee Valley FG you will love it. I use it on everything that I am not fast enuf to use HHG on. I haven't had any cleanup problems yet.

Bob

Is it safe to refrigerate Fish glue? I know it's fine for hide, but it'll kill titebond - my local supplier knows this full well, and won't order in shipments in the cold months. Goes all chalky. I keep my titebond indoors because of that.

Refrigeration is fine as far as I can tell. I keep the new bottles refrigerated until the old are gone, and the main bottle refrigerated while the smaller 2 oz bottles are in use.

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

Thanks everyone. That convinced me. I think i'll use it for my big braces, and stand with Hot hide for the fan braces.

And well, I don't thing it's a bad idea to put it in the fridge. The ingredients in mine are : fish cartilage, water, gelatin, and a bectericidal agent (less than 1%) to prevent it to ransit. So cold can only be a good thing.

Thanks!
Francis

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Francis Richer, Montréal
Les Guitares F&M Guitars