Tips for gluing with Knox gelatin?

[mmattockx]

I'm going to try using a natural glue in the form of Knox gelatin. Since it is intended for use as a thickening agent in cooking the directions aren't much help when using it to glue a backing onto a bow. Can anyone suggest how much water to use to make the glue and how to use it once made? This is all new for me.


Thanks,
Mark

[StickMark]

The archives, search engine, is your best bet regarding answers.

[Pat B]

for sinew, rawhide and snake skin backing I like the hide glue(Knox is refined hide glue) to be the consistency of syrup. I keep it warm in a double boiler so it doesn't gel to quickly which gives me time to lay the backing. My double boiler is an old crock pot from Good Will($5) and a stainless steel pan floating in the hot water with the hide glue in the pan.

[Eric Krewson]

I use the same stet up as Pat, from the same source. I make my Knox about like thin syrup.

[Markus]

I have read that gelatin used for food purposes are made from pig’s bones. Good enough, but most likely a little more brittle than hide glue. Here is a good source for hide glue, can be had in several grades.
https://bjornhideglue.com/

[mmattockx]

I have read that gelatin used for food purposes are made from pig’s bones. Good enough, but most likely a little more brittle than hide glue.

I have been told that as well, but had not seen any comments regarding its final properties as compared to hide glue. I did some test glue ups with the gelatin yesterday, will test them today. I can see why people use it, laminating material onto wood was super easy with it. Very little mess and easy to get everything laid down where I wanted it.


Mark

[PatM]

To the contrary Knox is less prone to being brittle than pretty much every commercial glue I have tried.

[willie]

Pat, what other collagen glues have you compared Knox to?
fish glue?
rabbit glue?

[DC]

If it doesn't work I think there's quite a few people on here wasting their time

[mmattockx]

If it doesn't work I think there's quite a few people on here wasting their time

So you mean it's all my fault if it doesn't work? 


Mark

[DC]

Pretty much

[PatM]

Pat, what other collagen glues have you compared Knox to?
fish glue?
rabbit glue?

 Fish glue and Lee Valley hide glue.  Rabbit glue is supposed to be flexible but not as strong.  I could get that at an art store but once I switched to Knox I saw no reason to experiment further.

[Eric Krewson]

I have used hide glue and I have used Knox, I couldn't tell a difference.

[mmattockx]

Pretty much

That's a lot of pressure I'm under now.

To the contrary Knox is less prone to being brittle than pretty much every commercial glue I have tried.

I could get that at an art store but once I switched to Knox I saw no reason to experiment further.

Pat, what do you use the Knox glue for on your bows?


Mark

[willie]

Fish glue and Lee Valley hide glue.  Rabbit glue is supposed to be flexible but not as strong. 

Could you also share a bit more about the fish glue?  what you used it for? and how it differed from hide/knox?  would you use it for other bowyering things?