Strong or weak Hide glue bonds?

[rivritt]

Is there a way to tell if a hide glue bond is going to be weak or strong? Or is it a waiting game; fingerboard lifting off in a year etc... I am using it in my build but nervous about it. Everyone here makes it look rather easy!

 

[Ole'Lefty]

If you are using the right gram strength--usually 192 for guitars,temp around 150-155*F, and are fully clamped before it gels and not glue starved, it will hold for generations. It is preparation, rehearsal and prompt execution.

 

[nuance97]

If your mating surfaces are not freshly sanded it would also be a good idea to knock of any oxidation with some fine sandpaper, and if you are gluing oily wood like rosewood or ebony wipe the surface with some acetone a couple of minutes before you spread the glue.

 

[Ken McKay]

Truth is you might not find out about a poor joint until a year or the next season. That is if you did something wrong or if your glue is bad. I suggest some stressed glue joints as a test with your glue and method. Glue some wood to wood and put a screw into one side with a hanging weight. I glued some wood to my ceiling with a hook and a weight.

It is great stuff but blind faith is only good for your own instrument, any customer's work should be well tested and done with confidence.

Try rubbed joints, clamped joints, different clamping times, etc, get to know your glue and it will be your friend and is a superior product in a lot of cases.

 

[bfcg]

You wouldn't want to make your first foray in French Polish on an instrument.
Same goes with Hide glue.
Test, practice and get confident.