Crisp glue lines in maple

[--Tom--]

Any good tips to get an invisible glue line in maple- I had an invisible join in dry fit, once glued and clamped I inevitably get a visible line at the join. Other woods like Ash and Beech and oak seem much more compliant to not showing the line.
Have been using classic Pva- would switching that to something else work? Any other tips/tricks suggestions.

It’s not a gap- but the glue line is visible as a line

 

[profchris]

Hot hide glue is your best bet, and you'll want the refined stuff for luthiers. I recently glued maple using the cheaper hide glue and got visible glue lines.

If glueing small pieces, household gelatin works as highly refined hide glue. But it gels in seconds so you need the wood hand hot to give you time to position and clamp. Adding a little salt extends the open time.

 

[--Tom--]

Ah interesting - does it need to be hot melt or worth giving the liquid WH sell a try?