Monkey Business

[Patrick Chadwick]

I didn't know that about the Merlins, but, trying hard to remain serious, I read somewhere in a book on material strengths and adhesives, referring specifically to gliders, that in WW2 there was trouble with glued joints in wood because the components were being finished very smooth before assembly. This was a well-meaning error, on the assumption " the smoother the surface the closer the joint the better the bond". Wrong assumption. Microscopic examination revealed that the smoothing results in tiny fibre hairs on the wood surface that take up the glue and tear off (relatively) easily under load. A straight cut (or a clean break) bonds better. Not trusting my memory to be perfect, I shall dig it out and correct the above if I am wrong.

[Peter Laidler]

I used to swear by the old hot animal glue we were taught to use during my apprenticeship. Lasts a lifetime. BUT then learned about aircraft quality woodworking adshesive that you have to use if you are building your own aircraft. In the UK samples are taken for trest and destruction before you can go onto the next stage. If it's good enough to pass for a C of A, then that's good enough for me.

[gew8805]

Ah, hot animal glue. That brings back memories, it is good stuff. Peter, did you ever walk back into the shop the next morning after someone (hopefully not you) forgot to turn off the double boiler containing the glue the night before? Whew, the burned odor permeated everything and, if you didn't have a window to open - several actually - it would be there for a while. Always good for a few words from someone in charge...... and everyone else!

[Peter Laidler]

I tried to find some of that old anjimal glue stuff but it seems to have gone completely. The trouble is that I forget the smell now! Some smells just stay with you. Overalls that permanently smell of XG279 or Oil, OX52 and a mix of linseed.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Good heavens, what have I done? Started a glue-sniffers thread, it seems

[gew8805]

Patrick, there is nothing like the smell of scorthed animal (hide) glue, it will knock you off your feet! Imagine the odor of burned fingernails, hair and leather combined......

Peter, here is a source:

Antique Restorer's Veneer Hide Glue - Lee Valley Tools



When I was still working as a theater technician we used to buy it in 25 pound bags since we used it for sizing scenic flats, but almost no one does that anymore. After switching to work as a theater electrician I have lost track of the sources we used to use, many of them are long out of business. Still, artists use it to prepare their canvases so there are probably other sources as well.

Of course you will need an electric glue pot as well but I'm sure Lee Valley has that too.

[us019255]

glue is apparently why some Mosquito bombers had problems with engines "falling off in flight" whilst serving in "tropical" places like India;

I never thought about that possibility. A definite AW ****! I do remember that when I was a kid just post WWII, you could get either indoor or outdoor plywood. I later saw plywood advertised as "indoor with outdoor glue". Apparently the modern idea to just use phenolic resin always was not practiced then.