How To Make Glue From Animal Hides - Survival Manual
Hide glue was once one of the most common glues in use. Hide glue was the strongest glue available before modern chemistry brought modern glues to the public. But don't let the primitive aspect of the glue fool you, hide glue is a very strong glue.
Advantages are a very strong glue, easy to make and actually very easy keep for future uses. Heck it stores better it seems than a lot of today's high tech glues that seem to harden in the tube after one use or even after just sitting on the shelf for long periods.
First step is to trim any hide you have available into small pieces. The smaller the better! Large confetti size pieces are about right, but the smaller the better. The reason smaller is better is that the smaller the pieces the faster the process becomes.
Put your hide bits into an old pot not to be used for cooking. Cover the hide bits completely with clean water and bring to a slow boil.
Reduce heat to allow it to slowly simmer. The smell is not going to be pleasant so doing this outside or under a pavilion is best but not required.
Keep the pot simmering for a few hours. The process is not actually timed like you cook certain foods but simmering is continued until the hide pieces become somewhat clearish.
Next step strain out the hide bits. How you strain might determine how small of hide pieces you use. If you are going to simply pick out the hide by using a fork or stick then make the hide bits real long and narrow as possible to speed up the removal process. If you have a strainer dedicated to the purpose that is super.
You are now left with milky water. Boil away the water until your mixture begins to thicken slightly, remove it from the heat and allow it to start cooling.
Tip: For the finest of glues you will want to strain the liquid before it gets too thick through a fine mesh. The finer the meshes size the better. Make do with what you have or can make.
Once it is cool enough to touch check it to be sure that it is sticky. If not then heat it some more and boil off more of the water until you are left with a sticky substance. It is important not to heat too quickly as you near the end of the process as burning the glue is possible not to mention burnt glue smell pretty bad!
Allow the glue to cool completely, it congeals into a somewhat rubbery substance if all has gone well... and it should since the process is not overly difficult.
Now you need to do a no heat drying process. Break or cut up the pieces of cooled glue into very small pieces. Allow to dry on a shelf somewhere. Every day break the pieces up and allow them to dry again. Do this until the pieces are completely dry. Can't say how long a lot depends on how finely the glue is broken up and on the weather (humidity) and temperature.
Now once dry place you glue in a dry place for storage. A water proof jar with a lid would be perfect.
To use the hide glue, take come off the crumbles and warm not boil or bake while moistening the glue. Once the glue is of the desired consistency apply and then you must allow a few days for the glue to naturally dry again. Bam hide glue... that is it.
Just keep in mind that Hide glue is affected by moisture, so it isn't applicable to outside applications. Meaning things that will stay out in the weather all the time.
Advantages are a very strong glue, easy to make and actually very easy keep for future uses. Heck it stores better it seems than a lot of today's high tech glues that seem to harden in the tube after one use or even after just sitting on the shelf for long periods.
First step is to trim any hide you have available into small pieces. The smaller the better! Large confetti size pieces are about right, but the smaller the better. The reason smaller is better is that the smaller the pieces the faster the process becomes.
Put your hide bits into an old pot not to be used for cooking. Cover the hide bits completely with clean water and bring to a slow boil.
Reduce heat to allow it to slowly simmer. The smell is not going to be pleasant so doing this outside or under a pavilion is best but not required.
Keep the pot simmering for a few hours. The process is not actually timed like you cook certain foods but simmering is continued until the hide pieces become somewhat clearish.
Next step strain out the hide bits. How you strain might determine how small of hide pieces you use. If you are going to simply pick out the hide by using a fork or stick then make the hide bits real long and narrow as possible to speed up the removal process. If you have a strainer dedicated to the purpose that is super.
Tip: For the finest of glues you will want to strain the liquid before it gets too thick through a fine mesh. The finer the meshes size the better. Make do with what you have or can make.
Once it is cool enough to touch check it to be sure that it is sticky. If not then heat it some more and boil off more of the water until you are left with a sticky substance. It is important not to heat too quickly as you near the end of the process as burning the glue is possible not to mention burnt glue smell pretty bad!
Allow the glue to cool completely, it congeals into a somewhat rubbery substance if all has gone well... and it should since the process is not overly difficult.
Now you need to do a no heat drying process. Break or cut up the pieces of cooled glue into very small pieces. Allow to dry on a shelf somewhere. Every day break the pieces up and allow them to dry again. Do this until the pieces are completely dry. Can't say how long a lot depends on how finely the glue is broken up and on the weather (humidity) and temperature.
Now once dry place you glue in a dry place for storage. A water proof jar with a lid would be perfect.
To use the hide glue, take come off the crumbles and warm not boil or bake while moistening the glue. Once the glue is of the desired consistency apply and then you must allow a few days for the glue to naturally dry again. Bam hide glue... that is it.
Just keep in mind that Hide glue is affected by moisture, so it isn't applicable to outside applications. Meaning things that will stay out in the weather all the time.
