Official Luthiers Forum!

Wheres a good place to get Fish Glue in USA?

_________________
Jason Moe
LaCrosse WI 54601

Love this one.
It is VERY strong, believe me.

_________________
Francis Richer, Montréal
Les Guitares F&M Guitars

I am just about out of glue right now. I have been using LMI white glue and have been happy with it. How long is the one time for fish glue? How does it compare to white glue?

_________________
Wisdom is justified by her children

Much more open time, wich is good for large glue-ups, like closing the box.

It is as strong as White or Titebond, maybe even more, but is easier to clean up or to un-glue.

_________________
Francis Richer, Montréal
Les Guitares F&M Guitars

I don't know. LV fish glue is made in Canada. What about the Norland?
I can tell that the ingredients are...
-Fish cartilage
-Water
-1% antibacterial agent

_________________
Francis Richer, Montréal
Les Guitares F&M Guitars

Open time? A very long time. I believe my bottle says 1 hour open time (I'm away from the shop at the moment). The glue is very tacky initially. After 15 minutes or so, the glue seems to reach a state I would generally think signaled the end of its open time, but adding a small bit of water will bring the glue back to its state upon initial application. It is very cool stuff. I love it for closing the box, headstock veneers, etc., but you need to account for the 12 hour clamp time. I used fish glue for a number of different tasks on my last two.

How does it compare to white glue? Much longer open time, much longer clamping time, higher initial tack, smells funkier, dries to a hardness more in line with HHG, better resistance to heat (closer to HHG, which generally needs moisture to aid in its release), cleans up well with warm water even after fully dry (though clean up is not nearly as easy as HHG, IMHO). I'm sure there is more.

I use HHG, LMI white, Titebond, Gorilla wood glue, fish glue, and various epoxies and CA glues. My wife has a difficult time understanding why I need so many (and why I need a glue shelf in the refrigerator), but each glue has unique properties that work well for specific tasks. Just buy a bit, test it out, and I'm sure you'll be happy you added it to your arsenal.

_________________
Aaron Craig

The Lee Valley Fish Glue is Norland, rebottled.

Fish glue has a very nice and long open time, but requires a 12 hour clamp time. It's important to keep a stressed joint clamped much longer than other glues. Unstressed joints - not so important. It can be used for rubbed joints, but they should not be disturbed or stressed for 12 hours.

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Thanks for all the information fellow luthiers.

_________________
Jason Moe
LaCrosse WI 54601

I think bluescreek is also selling it: plus you can ask about how to use it or call if any problems.