OBG is specifically formulated to be a gel at room temperature. It must be heated to use and the viscosity can be controlled as a function of temperature. Simply place the bottle in a pan of water with a metal thermometer and heat it up. The normal range for use is between 110 degrees and a maximum of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower temperatures are useful for gluing paper, leather or cloth to wood, while higher temperatures provide deeper penetration into fine cracks and a longer working time. The best temperature for all use is around 140 degrees.

Note that OBG can be heated and cooled as often as desired without any change in the quality of the glue. Be careful not to exceed 180 degrees for any length of time.

We guarantee Old Brown Glue for 24 months from the date of manufacture.
Refrigeration will extend the shelf life, but is not required.
Old Brown Glue is not affected by freezing.

We tested Old Brown Glue with multiple freezing and thawing cycles and detected no change in its quality.

Liquid Hide Glue is not for hammer veneering. It is also not recommended for rubbed joints. If you want to hammer veneer we also sell granulated #192 gram strength Hot Hide Glue.

Using a toothing plane is part of the traditional process of working with Hide Glues.
A toothing plane levels the surface, cleans the wood and increases the glue surface area.
It is recommended but not required.

W. Patrick Edwards developed Old Brown Glue to use in his restoration business over 20 years ago, and it has become the principal glue in the shop for furniture making and restoration.

The Hot Hide Glue is still used for rubbed joints, quick repairs, hammer veneering and marquetry on an assembly board.

OBG penetrates deeply into the wood fibers on end grain, since it remains liquid and has a high water content. Therefore, we would normally add the glue (hot and liquid from the bottle), wait a minute or so and repeat the application as necessary until there remains a visible layer of glue on the surface. Clamp it right away, do not wait for the glue to gel, as that would not produce a good tight joint.

If it is modern glue you need to remove it completely to the bare wood. If it is hide glue, bare wood is preferable. Hide glue is the only glue that bonds to itself so it will bond to the old hide glue if you reactivate it with moisture.