Check out the latest addition to the ‘Best Practises’ page:  I’ve added a section on glues.  Here are some interesting tidbits:

• Hide glue is made from the same process which produces food gelatine (Jello), but gelatin is not the same as hide glue.
• Similar animal glues have been in use for about 6,000 years.
• White and yellow “carpenter’s” glue were only invented in the early 20th century.
• Additives of urea, salt, glycerine and vinegar to hide glue modify the glue, some with detrimental effects.
• There is an additive that prevents liquid hide glue from gelling.

I also discuss briefly the preparation of hot hide glue, the interpretation of various glue ‘bloom strengths’, and where these are typically employed.

An interesting aside: ‘Bloom’ refers to both the expansion of the dry hide glue when it expands and also the “Bloom Strength” which is actually named for the inventor the gel strength measurement device: the gelometer, seen on the right. Invented and patented by Oscar T. Bloom.