Hide glue clamping time

[charlesa46741]

I apologize, because this has to be somewhere, but I can't seem to find it. What is a reasonable clamping time for hide glue, say on a top brace or the like?

[David Newton]

A top brace is generally fitted to the top closely, in other words it isn't forced into place, so clamping time would be an hour or so. Let it set for several hours before working on it, though, or overnight.

[Michael Lewis]

Hide glue I leave in clamps over night. The glue gets strength from evaporation, and while there is significant moisture in the joint the strength is not yet developed. Any movement of a newly glued joint will significantly degrade the strength of the glue. A well fitted joint can hold itself together with minimal clamping pressure as long as it is not stressed or disturbed, but it doesn't take much to disturb such a joint. As you use hide glue you will learn what you can get away with and what you can't with your own working habits.

[Bill Halsey]

All the above. I would add that temperature has quite a bit to do with set time. I warm both sides of the joint before assembly, and again after it is clamped.

[Hans]

Overnite...and heat before clamping.

[Rick Turner]

What they said!

Overnight or six to eight hours for a non-stressed joint. I like to be able to do a couple of glue-ups a day...first thing in the morning, last thing in the evening.

[David Newton]

Dang, I'm the odd man out!
I only have one clamp, so I don't let it sit around idle.