How to Make Hide Glue
Hide glue is a safe, natural and nontoxic glue. It can be used as a wood glue, making musical instruments, crackling paint as well as many other uses. It is an easy substance to make.
Things You'll Need
- 2 pints distilled water
- 4 oz. rawhide scraps or vellum
- Small pot
- Piece of white cloth
- Medium-sized bowl
- Plastic wrap
Instructions
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1
Boil the distilled water. Add the rawhide scraps, reduce the heat and let simmer for 1 1/2 hours.
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2
Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool for about 5 to 10 minutes.
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3
Strain the solution through the white cloth into the medium-sized bowl.
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4
Allow the glue to sit at room temperature overnight. Make sure it is in a dry place and away from any sunlight. It will turn into a jellylike substance.
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5
Turn the bowl upside down onto a piece of plastic wrap. Slice the jelly into 1/4-inch pieces. Allow the jelly to dry (keep it out of sunlight). This can take 3 to 4 days.
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6
Use the hide glue by warming a few of the pieces. Place the glue into a small ceramic bowl and place the bowl on a stove burner. Use low heat until it is soft. Do not let the glue come to a boil, or it will be ruined.
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1
Tips & Warnings
When using rawhide scraps, the purer the better.
Once the vellum is placed into the water, do not let the water boil. Never let the pieces of glue come to a boil. Always heat it on a low setting.
References
- Photo Credit rrozaleski/flickr.com
