glue for very old clock

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Leslie S.

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 11, 2002
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Waxahachie, TX
I know this is a little outside of our realm, but I am always amazed at the knowlege base of grumblers!

I have a client who is repairing a family heirloom, an 18th century clock. He would like to use an "authentic" glue (a type that would have been used during that time period). He is a retired engineer, and very meticulous...

Also, I guess I should also ask where he might be able to obtain this type of glue!

Thanks for any advice!
 
My guess would be something made from horse hooves.

Hoof glue
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hoof Glue is an adhesive made by boiling down the hooves of ungulates. It is a partially hydrolyzed keratin. It is a kind of animal glue.


History
Hoof glue was widely used throughout human history. The oldest known bow is 9600 years old and made using hoof glue. Animal glues have been used for things like stiffening bow strings, adhering fabric to wood, stiffening fabric, creating thin lacquers to protect valuable objects, sealing glass into frames, and sealing ceramic containers to name just a few. Hoof glue is still used today in cabinetry and other fine woodworking projects where the joints must be extremely fine if not invisible.


Formulation
The general process is to take the hooves of ungulates and break them into small chunks and then boil them in water until all the hoof material has been liquefied. An acid is then added to create a thick gel. The resultant product is then cooled and allowed to harden.


Usage
The storable form of hoof glue is a hard block of resin-like material. To use it one would break off a suitably sized chunk and mix it with hot water and allow it to melt. Once melted it can be simmered to reduce to the appropriate thickness and then applied to the object in question. Very thin glue can be used as a resin coating to stiffen and strengthen cordage, such as bow strings or chair backs and seats. Hoof glue is not waterproof.
 
Furniture found in the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs shows that hide glue has been used as an adhesive for over 3500 years. Until the invention of Aliphatic resin glues in the early 20th century, hide glue was the standard adhesive for producing furniture, musical instruments and many other products.

Hide glue is still produced today and remains the choice of professional craftspeople for repair and restoration of antique furniture, clocks, musical instruments and numerous other high-quality applications.

Titebond liquid hide glue is available from woodworking supply stores such as this one.

Here is a link to more information on the attributes of hide glue.
 
Talas has it, though larger art supply stores should have it too. Older framers will remember it well as it was the adhesive of choice not only for making frames, but for mounting art as well.

http://apps.webcreate.com/ecom/catalog/product_listing.cfm?ClientID=15&CategoryFullID=106

The solid kind that you make up yourself gives a more reliable bond than the pre-made liquid according to my objects teacher back in conservation school.

Rebecca
 
FramerDave said:
Just a WAG, but probably some type of hide glue.

Baer?
Click to expand...

No Dave, I'm using my hooves currently, thank you very much.


Actually, if it's an American (Colonial) clock, the glue is more likely to be a "Hide" glue. There just weren't enough hooves to produce enough glue. Ancients only know why there were so many in Europe.

The advantage of Hide over Hoof, besides scarcity is that shellac will not weaken Hide but does seem to have some effect on Hoof.

I would send you some Hoof, but I threw out the last I had about a year ago. Hide smells bad enough, hoof will get you run out of the neighborhood.
 
Probably smells a lot like a half-chewed chew hoof... lots of dead animal smell overlaid with urine-y scent. Doggies love them!
 
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