glue substitute

[Scout]

Are there any currently made glues that are the same as, or close to, glues that were made in the 1700's-1800's? Also, if there are such products what were/are  they best used for, wood repair, leather work etc.?
Thank you for any help that you may offer.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Scout

[Red Badger]

I use pine pitch when I can - when working with sinue to bind things and make them water tight.  For all other applicatons I use commercially available glues and hide any joints as best as I can.

Jim

[Dogshirt]

Hide glue is available and is quite strong, but isn't water stable. If it gets wet it will let go. That is, soaked, not just a bit of moisture.

[hotfxr]

Many, many, too many years ago a neighbor of mine that was an anthropologist studying the coast indians taught me how to make a glue that was the superglue of the 1700's. Pine sap. ashes, and crushed egg shells heated and mixed makes a waterproof glue that acts like epoxy. We used it to hold obsidian arrowheads and fletches to the arrows, repaired tents, axe handles, you name it. Tied everything in place with horse hair (to hold in place and as a binder, think fiberglass) and smoothed the glue on and let it cool. It stinks but it works well. Been too long for me to remember the proportions, but start at equal and experiment till it holds right. Hmmm, I think I might cook up a batch this weekend come to think of it.

[Scout]

Dogshirt-
Where will I find the hide glue and what is the commercial name of it?
                                                                                       Thank you.
                                                                                              Scout

[Dogshirt]

Here are a few links.

http://www.rockler.com/titebondreg-liquid-hide-glue-choose-size

http://www.amazon.com/Ground-Hide-Glue-1-Pound/dp/B003AYTJSC

Here's one for making your own.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5436724_make-hide-glue.html

Hope this helps. For what it's worth, I've had good luck with all the other Titebond products I've used, so I would expect no lees from the hide glue.

[sweed]

Read about makin hide glue, and just thinkin out loud,...... If you added some pine sap  recon itud be more water proof. Dont know but worth tryin if your into that sort of thing.

[Scout]

Thank you to all who replied to my inquiry. This will help me as I try to keep the projects that I make as close to period correct as I can.
                                                                                                                                                           Thank you for the help.
                                                                                                                                                                                    Scout

[pathfinder]

The flake type hide glue you add water to and heat is best. Used in my antique restoration,as did my father and Grandfather did. Soup can in a pot of water on a hot plate works great. After it's use,just let it cool. Next time you need it,just re-heat.

Not P/C,but I rub a bit of spar varnish with my finger on sinew/hide glue wraps. Shhhh,don't tell anyone!

[liferarmy]

boil fish bones and skin till you have almost a syrup. let cool. that stuff will stick your fingers together. hot water(lots) will take it apart, but not easily. fatty fish should give a more flexible glue. this was mostly used in furniture