SteveS Posted October 20, 2023 Share Posted October 20, 2023 (edited) A couple of things I'm considering 1) bellows making - I want to move from the synthetic glues (aside from the cost) I've been using hitherto, to a more traditional glue - any thoughts on the type of glue I might use? Fish glue, rabbit skin glue? I guess the glue used must retain some flexibility, whilst maintaining adhesive qualities. 2) case making - looking at the instrument cases I have, some of them appear to be constructed from 2 layers of around 2mm leather bringing the thickness to around 4mm - which is ideal for sewing the edges and corners - will rabbit skin glue work for this? I'd appreciate your thoughts on appropriate glues to use Edited October 21, 2023 by SteveS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4to5to6 Posted October 25, 2023 Share Posted October 25, 2023 (edited) Hi Steve, I don’t think you will beat modern PVA glue. It gets tacky at just the right time, glues leather perfectly, remains flexible and the excess is easy to clean off. If you want to bump it up a notch, use a PVA white glue that is pH neutral. . Edited October 25, 2023 by 4to5to6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_holden Posted October 25, 2023 Share Posted October 25, 2023 For bellows I use fish glue from Conservation Resources now. I used to use rabbit skin glue but the short gel time can be annoying. I also use an acid free EVA glue to laminate the layers of card together. The main advantage of an animal glue is it's more repairable in the future. It's also quite flexible if you don't put it on too thick. For case making I generally use PVA as the repairability seems a bit less of an issue there. You could also consider using a contact adhesive but personally I don't like working with it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4to5to6 Posted October 25, 2023 Share Posted October 25, 2023 Hi Alex, Is this it: https://www.conservationresources.com/shop/archival-storage-supplies/hi-tack-fish-glue/ Very interesting. A cold-set fish glue! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_holden Posted October 25, 2023 Share Posted October 25, 2023 53 minutes ago, 4to5to6 said: Is this it: https://www.conservationresources.com/shop/archival-storage-supplies/hi-tack-fish-glue/ Actually no, I meant this product: https://conservation-resources.co.uk/products/fish-glue It might be very similar though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils' Dream Posted October 25, 2023 Share Posted October 25, 2023 For my admittedly amateur projects I use Fieblings Leathercraft Cement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveS Posted October 25, 2023 Author Share Posted October 25, 2023 Thanks for your replies. I'll get some fish glue - I'm sure it's available here in Italy. And PVA - I've got loads of that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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