• People used hide glue before the development of synthetic glues such as polyvinyl acetate. Today it is useful in pipe organ building, piano repairs, antique wooden furniture repairs and in the glass arts. Hide glue comes in the form of granules, flakes or sheets. You must keep it hot in a glue pot, double boiler or crock-pot when using and apply it with a brush or a spatula. Hide glue will last indefinitely if kept dry.
  
  

Reversible and Repairable

• Joints made with hide glue are easily reversible and repairable due to the fact that heat or steam loosens the hide glue. Because hide glue adheres to itself, applying new hide glue and firmly reclamping can easily repair a joint. The plus of not having to remove or chip at the joint assures the piece will remain intact if handled with care.
  
  

Brittle

• Hide glue joints tend to be brittle, so when shocked or separated they make a clean break. The brittle quality of hide glue is a plus for instrument makers and in furniture repair due to the fact that it the joints can be separated without breaking or severely damaging the wood.
  
  

Clamps Firmly

• When hide glue begins to harden it acts as its own extremely firm clamp. As the glue on the joints begins to gel together it pulls the two joints together and forms a very strong bond.
  
  

Strength

• Joints created with hide glue do not weaken or shift, also known as creeping, under weight once dry. The larger the strength of hide glue the stronger the bond of the joints. When purchasing hide glue, buy a glue that ranges from 120 to 200 grams.