Old Hide Glue............

[Argus]

.

I need to dismantle some (ancient) hide glue without damaging the parts in any way......

Any tips on melting this stuff, please?

.

 

[AndyT]

A heated blade / screwdriver can work, as can hot water on a cloth or steam - whatever is easiest for the parts in question, depending on how big they are, how accessible, not damaging finishes etc. If the glue is inside a joint you might need to drill a hole and insert a metal tube attached to a hose attached to a source of steam.

 

[Argus]

Thanks for the quick reply, Andy.

I should add that it’s the boxing on a wooden plane.

The boxing is intact but, at some stage long ago, it has melted and moved about 1mm. (probably left in a hot window…)

The joint, having moved a little, still seems to be OK, even though it has moved, so one option (not my favourite one) would be to leave it as it is and plane the whole thing flat.

But I would ideally like to get all the boxing out in one and re-glue it properly.
Drilling holes is out of the question.

.

 

[MIGNAL]

I very much doubt that it has moved because it was left in a window. Heat alone is not very effective in releasing Hide Glue - although it may make it a little more brittle.
You really need both heat and moisture.

 

[xy mosian]

Any chance of a visit to your local sauna?
xy

 

[MARK.B.]

swmbo has a nifty little steam cleaning thingy for cooker tops etc and i have used this a couple of times to seperate joints,you can cet a lot of steam directed exactly where you want with the various nozzles.

When questioned in court I shall of course deny ever using said machine :lol:

 

[Benchwayze]

So long as you are sure the plane hasn't been repaired at some time, with modern adhesives... 8)

 

[marcus]

You can usually disassemble hide glues furniture by applying meths to the joints. A syringe is good for directing it into the gaps. The meths is very thin so will flow in almost anywhere. I believe it works (counter-intuitively) by removing moisture from the glue as the meths evaporates off.

My understanding is that hide glue requires some residual moisture to stay stuck (one reason why antique furniture tends to fall apart in overly central heated houses). You may need to give some gentle taps with a soft mallet to help it along. If it still sticks, then just add more meths and try again till it comes free. Many antique restorers use this technique because it is so quick and avoids messing about with steam and heat etc. Works really well.

 

[Racers]

Hi, Argus

I had a plane like that, but I think it had been reglued in badly.
I ended up making a scratch stock in the shape of the profile and scraped it down, the boxwood scraped very well.
It took me ages to work out why it didn't cut well, but a ruler along the sole showed a gap in the middle.

Pete

 

[johnwc812]

Hi
I have used vinegar to break down scotch/animal glue joints in an antique chair.
Works well, especially if the vinegar can be "squirted in" with a hyperdermic needle.
I would assume acetic acid may work even better.
Cheers John