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It is the oldest form of glue known, and is made from waste product from the abattoir,
originally it was a made with a heady mixture of any old bits of beast, bird or fish.
Here the Cabinet Maker is adding sanitised ‘pearls’ of traditional glue to warm water,
the mixture must never boil and the glue pot is in fact a bain-marie, ie the glue pot has
an internal jacket filled with hot water. The glue must be used whilst it is still hot,
and the Cabinet Makers often keep the glue pot 'brewing' all day. If allowed to cool
in the pot it can still be warmed through and used the following day.
Why use Traditional Glue
Well first of all it can be made to differing strengths, dependent upon which job it is
required to perform, a weaker solution would be required if a temporary or sacrificial
adhesion was needed.
Traditional glue is also completely reversible because it is suspended and soluble in water,
ie it does not emulsify. To reverse the process inject or apply hot water, or Methylated Spirit
(or indeed heat) to the joint that has been glued, and the adhesive becomes malleable.
This makes it a perfect material to be used with Book Binding, jewellery creation or Cabinet
Making.
In fact its presence is a good indication in identifying genuine antiques; look for
a dirty brown crystallisation around the jointing area. If present this indicates that animal
glue was used many, many years ago.
Wheathills Cabinet Makers use it in the creation of marquetry, and in the mortise and tenon
joints in the construction of bespoke, handmade furniture. It is also used as an adhesive
when traditionally hand laying veneers.