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Understanding Hide Glue: Grades, Uses, and Bulk Availability


Hide glue is one of the oldest adhesives used in woodworking and luthiery, prized for its unique properties, reversibility, and ability to create strong, flexible joints. For more than 20 years, I’ve been selling hide glue in bulk to professionals and hobbyists alike, ensuring access to the best materials for instrument repair, fine woodworking, and furniture restoration.

What Is Hide Glue?

Hide glue is a natural adhesive made from the collagen in animal hides, typically from cattle. It’s available in various forms—granules, flakes, or sheets—but the granules are most common due to their ease of use. Hide glue is highly favored for its ability to be reactivated with heat and moisture, making it ideal for joints that might need future repairs. This is particularly important in instrument making and restoration, where a reversible bond can be a game-changer.

Hide Glue Grades

Hide glue is graded by its "jelly strength," which is measured in jelly grams. This rating determines the strength and tack of the glue. The higher the number, the faster the glue sets, which can affect the workability. Here’s a breakdown of some common grades:

  • 80–135 Jelly Grams: These are the lower grades of hide glue and tend to have longer working times. They are ideal for delicate work where slower setting times are required, such as in instrument assembly or marquetry.

  • 164–222 Jelly Grams: These middle grades are commonly used in general woodworking and luthiery. They provide a good balance between working time and bond strength. Grade 192 is particularly popular for its versatility in instrument making.

  • 251–315 Jelly Grams: As the jelly gram rating increases, the glue sets faster and becomes more brittle. These grades are often used in applications where a quicker set time is needed, but flexibility is still required.

  • 347–512 Jelly Grams: The highest grades of hide glue, these are used in applications where a fast setting time and high strength are essential, such as in furniture repair. These grades are less commonly used in musical instrument work but are valuable in woodworking where high initial tack is needed.

Choosing the Right Grade

The choice of glue grade largely depends on the project and the material you’re working with. For luthiers, lower grades like 192 or 222 are common because they offer sufficient working time and strong, flexible bonds. For woodworkers working on furniture repair, higher grades like 315 or 379 might be preferred for their strength and quick setting times.

It’s important to experiment with different grades to find the one that suits your project best. Some professionals keep a few grades on hand to match the right glue to the task at hand.

Bulk Hide Glue: Convenience and Cost Efficiency

For professionals and avid hobbyists, buying hide glue in bulk is a cost-effective way to ensure a steady supply for all your projects. I’ve been offering bulk hide glue for more than two decades, sourcing high-quality glue in 30-pound bags and selling it by the pound. This allows my customers to get exactly the amount they need, whether it’s a few pounds for a one-off project or larger quantities for ongoing work.

By buying in bulk, you not only save money but also reduce the need to constantly restock, ensuring you have the right grade of glue available when you need it. Whether you’re restoring a vintage violin or assembling intricate wooden furniture, having a reliable supply of hide glue makes all the difference.

Why Hide Glue?

In an age of synthetic adhesives, why stick with hide glue? It’s not just tradition. Hide glue’s natural properties make it superior in many applications. Its reversibility is critical for restoration, its ability to shrink as it dries pulls joints together, and it bonds exceptionally well with wood. Hide glue also doesn’t "creep" like some modern glues, meaning once it’s set, it stays put.

For woodworkers and luthiers who value authenticity, hide glue is more than just an adhesive—it’s a critical component in preserving the craftsmanship and quality of their work.

If you’re looking to purchase high-quality hide glue by the pound, I offer a range of grades from 80 to 512 Jelly Grams. Whether you need just a pound or a bulk order, I can help you find the perfect grade for your project. Reach out to learn more about how hide glue can enhance your woodworking or luthiery work.

TO ORDER:

Hide Glue Pricing: (we sell it by the pound) 

Grade / Price 

  • 164 - $9.00 a pound 
  • 192 - $10.00 a pound 
  • 222 - $11.00 a pound  

To order, fill out the form on this page: https://forms.gle/MUqP4yhsHJ9oLcXMA

We will be in touch with an invoice.

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