Hide glew--20 questions

[hedgeapple]

I've read many of the posts about hide glue.  It seems deer hide is better than cowhide.  You slow cook pieces in a bit of water until it starts to gell, remove pieces cook until it is gelled.  Simple but time intensive.  Now for the questions.

I have some old deer hides some have too many holes to make much from it by tanning them.  Would they be suitable for making hide glew?  Should I still soak them in hardwood ash to remove the hair?  How should I store it for use later?

[Justin Snyder]

I would use the hides the way they are. No point in removing the hair.
Dry or freeze the glue for storage. 

[hedgeapple]

Thanks Justin.

[Justin Snyder]

If the hair is already wanting to come out, you might want to remove it.  It will make it a little easier to keep hair out of the glue. Straining it should solve the problem, but it really depends on how picky you are.  I don't mind a few hairs in it myself so I don't worry about it.  Justin

[JackCrafty]

I think they will be fine for glue.  The older they are the weaker the glue will be, of course.  Personally, I think the hair should be removed.  I soak my hides for a couple days in a hydrated lime solution (1lb for every 5 gal water).  I like hydrated lime because it won't kill the soil where you dump it.  The hair can be thrown into a compost pile.

The glue can be stored dry for a very long time (on the shelf).  If mixed with water, it can be stored in the frig.

[Aosda]

Can you use squirrel hide?  And how much water?