Hoe To Save Your Hide (Glue)

9-17-08

When you work in a shop for a while, things just seem to find a place and never go away.  I am always finding photos, stickers, cartoons and other stuff that I think is interesting or important at that time and I just tape them to any open space on the wall.

In September of 2008 I cut out this cartoon and taped it to the wall.  I thought it was funny and that the people in it were just plain stupid.  Turns out they were following government orders to stay indoors and prevent further infection.  I think of this cartoon every day I show up at work and turn the "open" sign around in the front window.  I am trapped in here; the street is closed.

In any event, I am working on several projects so I am not exactly bored.

Here is the video for today.  Again it was done by Fine Woodworking last year.  This one explains how to save your hot glue when you are not using it every day.  Of course, with the liquid Old Brown Glue this is not a problem.  It is guaranteed for at least 18 months.

FW Glue Video:Save Your Glue

Cooking Oatmeal or Cooking Glue

You Cannot Make Marquetry Without Hot Glue

At this age, I get up ever day at 5:00 am and hit the ground running.  I believe the first 4 hours of the day are the most important.  There are no distractions, it is so quiet you can hear the birds sing, and you get to see the dawn break.

After my shower the first thing I do is make coffee and oatmeal.  Then I watch the darkness change into light, as my kitchen window faces east and I can see the earliest light appear as I wash the dishes.

Making oatmeal has become a ritual over the past few years.  Organic oatmeal with flax, berries, bananas, and just a touch of brown sugar is all I need to fuel the body for the important things I need to do.  The coffee helps.  Did you know that caffeine has a high that lasts 24 hours?  No wonder I seem to need it to start the day.

When I arrive at work the first job is to check the glue pot.  Making the hot hide glue is exactly the same as making oatmeal, but without the berries.

Traditional Hide Glue Cakes

Today I am posting the second part of the Fine Woodworking video series about protein glues.  When I lecture on this topic, I always encourage my audience to not make this more complicated than it is.  Remember, protein glues have been used for 8,000 years and that is way before nuclear physics was even imagined.  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to cook animal glue.

Water and Heat Chart

I think this video does a good job of making that point:Start Cooking Protein Glue Today!

Fish Glue

Rabbit Skin Glue

Hide Glue

Liquid Hide: Processed or Organic?

Ready to Work

Tomorrow, the video gets into the application of this glue to common woodworking problems.

Video Series: Working With Protein Glue

Another Day at Work

To say that I repair furniture is being modest.  For 50 years I have solved two types of problems associated with antique furniture.  The normal cause of wood failure is shrinkage and movement of wood as a result of age and environment.  This damage is also a result of movement by careless furniture movers.  You would think that professional movers would be careful with client's heirlooms.  You would be dead wrong.

I have seen solid curly maple Chippendale chest of drawers arrive in two sections (upper and lower) which was not the way they were made.  I saw a triple pedestal dining table put on the moving truck and then the heavy boxes of goods were stacked on top until all the legs (9 in all) broke at the same time.  Another antique Cuban mahogany dining table was transported properly with the top removed from the pedestals.  However, when it arrived, the mover carefully put down blankets and laid the top face down to install the pedestals.  Using sheet rock screws that were at least an inch too long, he proceeded to screw on the pedestals.  When he turned it over the result was shocking. It was also a difficult job to repair.

It is not always the movers.  Another antique dining table was damaged by the house cleaner trying to do a good job.  Her job was to polish the crystals on the chandelier which hung over the table.  It seemed a good idea to stand on the table to do this work.  The problem was that to reach all the crystals she decided to rotate the chandelier, instead of walking all over the table.  Eventually the screw holding it to the ceiling came loose and it crashed onto the table, resulting in a thousand very visible holes.  Another difficult job.

I am starting to get off topic here.  Sorry.  The second, and perhaps worse, type of damage is caused by amateurs (including movers) who use synthetic glue and/or sheetrock screws and nails to do the repair.

I have two prices:  The best price is if you bring it to me without trying to repair it.  The worst price is if you try to repair it and then bring it to me.  This is the reason I insist on using traditional and reversible protein glues.

I started to use hot hide glue when I opened my business in 1969.  I eventually was able to formulate a liquid version of this in 1995, which I sell as Old Brown Glue.  In experimenting and formulating this glue there have been some setbacks.

For example, I went home one day and forgot to unplug one of the glue pots which was cooking the glue.  When I arrived the next day this is what I discovered:

Do NOT do This At Home!

I need to point out that since the protein glue is reversible, I was able to clean up the mess completely.

This is What It Should Look Like

In the last post I mentioned that Ben at Fine Working visited last year and shot a series of videos about protein glues.  Today I am posting the first of these videos, which previously were only available to paid subscribers.

This first video discusses the working characteristics of these types of glues.  I think you will be amazed at what they can do.

Fine Woodworking Video: Protein Glue Fundimentals

I will post the second video tomorrow.  Have fun and stay safe!

Quarantined At Work

Christmas at 3815 Utah Street

The world has changed since my last post.  I have been as busy as always, working on diverse and amazing projects.  But with the emergence of the global Pandemic all non essential business has been shut down and half the work force is advised to stay home.

For me nothing has changed.  I get up at 5am as usual and walk 6 blocks on deserted residential streets to work.  I stay inside and work all day until it is time to walk home.  I am deeply concerned about the future of the global economy, but I am not concerned about having something to do.

In many ways business has picked up, unlike the economic collapse of 2008.  At that time it was serious.  The phone stopped ringing for several months.  My normal backlog of work went from the usual 6 months to 2 weeks and I was taking any job that showed up just to make ends meet.

These days we are more plugged into the virtual communication features of the web.  Since people are staying home they are interested in getting things done around the house, including restoring furniture.  More importantly, woodworkers are busy in the garage building things and ordering glue.

I am pleased at the dramatic increase in Old Brown Glue sales the last week.  Unlike the modern glues that are sold in "bricks and mortar" stores, OBG has always been sold online.  That means that woodworkers do not have to leave the house to buy glue but can easily order online and we are formulating and shipping large quantities of fresh glue every day.

Another reason for the increase in sales is the recent release of several Fine Woodworking videos that I taped last year.  I had completely forgotten about them since they were available only to magazine subscribers, but FW decided to make them public in light of recent events.

Last year Ben Strano, who is the digital brand manager for the magazine, spent a day at my shop with his equipment.  I have done several television and web videos over the years, but spending a day with Ben was a lot of fun.  The videos turned out fantastic.

There are 6 short videos in all.  I will post them here every day, starting with the shop tour.  Ben wanted to do an introduction to my shop for other woodworkers to see just how I operate.  It will allow you, dear reader, to virtually visit my studio  while maintaining your social distance.

The rest of the videos discuss different features of working with protein glues.  I will post the start of that sequence tomorrow.

SHOP TOUR VIDEO:3815 UTAH STREET

Master to Master Interview

I returned to teach at Marc Adams School of Woodworking in Indianapolis recently.  I have been asked to teach there for several years now and it is starting to feel like a second home.

Marc has created the largest woodworking school in America and is celebrating 25 years in business. It is expanding every year and he continues to offer new and exciting classes with amazing teachers.

One way he supports and promotes his teachers is to ask them to sit down after class and chat for 5 minutes.    If you go to his website you can watch many different videos he has done with this casual format.   It gives you a close up view of the personalities he has developed a relationship with over the years.

Here is the video he did last year with me. Edwards and Adams

It is easy to be humble around someone as great as Marc.

What Was He Thinking?

Jug of Wine and a Good Pipe Makes Me Happy

This week I was contacted by a client with another late 17th century marquetry tall case English clock for restoration.  It had been in his family in New York for a century and he wanted it put back in original condition.  I have done dozens of these similar clocks in my career, and it always amazes me that I can live and work in Southern California and still be able to restore marquetry furniture from over 3 centuries ago.

I have written many posts about the history of the tall case pendulum clock.  The concept was invented in England around 1650 but the golden age for the marquetry case and brass works was during the last 20 years of the 17th century when it became essential to own such an expensive time piece.

When I began my initial examination of the marquetry, I discovered a rather unique design, which I am sure is the only one of its kind.  I did some initial cleaning of the dark finish and took some photos.  What came to light stimulated my imagination and made me want to determine the series of events that would lead to this creation.

Tall case clocks at this period were custom made for clients, and took a long time to deliver.  In some cases, the client expressed their own personal desires to have something different from their rich friends.  (Only rich people could even imagine owning a clock at that time.)

So I created a story about Mr. and Mrs. Smythe to explain what I saw in the marquetry.  How much is fiction and how much is fact I will leave it to historians to determine if the research is available...

Mr. and Mrs. Smythe have a good life.  They live in a large house and have a good income which was left by Mr. Smythe's grandfather, a landed gentleman, who died when Mr. Smythe was a young man.  So Mr. Smythe grew up rather spoiled and always got his way, no matter what.

He married well, finding a decent and intelligent wife in the church, but she had a habit of arguing with him on certain occasions.  This would always cause him to lose his temper, and even to resort to physical violence, slapping her in the face.  She was smarter than him and when he ran out of good reasons why he was right, he found that using force would end the argument.

One good day in 1692 he was visiting a wealthy neighbor in the next township and discovered that this person had just installed the latest fashion for keeping track of the time: a tall case marquetry clock.  When he inquired about its function, he was told it could keep time to within an hour a month, and that it was essential to know exactly what time it was at all hours of the day.

"Everybody should have one," his neighbor boasted.  "In a few years, if you do not know what time it is exactly, you will not be considered 'civilized'," he added, with a smug grin.

Mr. Smythe immediately ran home to inform his wife that he had decided to get such an object, no matter what the cost.

"You will do no such thing," she admonished.  "You can tell the time by looking at the sun.  Why do you need to know exactly what the time is, anyway?"  When he hesitated to answer, she asked, "Exactly how much is this going to cost?"

"None of your business," he bellowed, "It's my money and I will do what I want with it!"  He raised his hand to make his point, but she quickly turned and left the room.

Mr. Smythe went to the local clock maker's home the next day.  His name was Lewis Holland and he lived and worked in London, where he established his reputation as a master clock maker the year before, making wonderful marquetry clocks with brass dials.

"Here are some of my designs," he said, as he opened a folio of drawings.  "I like birds, animals, arabesques and flowers.  They are very popular recently and I am very much in demand."

"I like them," Mr. Smythe replied, "But I have something personal in mind.  I would like you to add images of my good wife and myself, so it will reflect our marriage to all who enter the door."

Mr. Smythe then handed a small drawing to Mr. Holland, and presented him with a good deposit to begin the work.  With ready cash in hand, Mr. Holland was in no position to complain, and he went to work.

Sometime later that year the clock was delivered and placed in the entry hall.

There is no record of what Mrs. Smythe had to say about the purchase.

What Exactly Is Going On With These Two?

Looking at Mr. Smythe, it seems he is making a rude gesture and sticking out his thumb while he reaches out and slaps Mrs. Smythe in the face.

Not a Nice Man

Looking at Mrs. Smythe, it seems she is surprised to be slapped in the face.

Perhaps a Marriage Counselor Would Help?

The Difference Makers

New Book From Marc Adams

I have been very fortunate in my life to know many of the best woodworkers in the world.  Some have become good friends.  Others are a real inspiration to me personally.  I have learned something from each of them, and I want to believe I have provided something in return.

Since I live in Southern California and most of these artisans live either on the East Coast or in Europe, it has been necessary to leave the bench and seek them out.  I enjoy traveling and have done a good bit of it.  I do miss being at work, but when I am in the workshop of another sympathetic soul I feel that I am at home.

Marc Adams has just published his latest book, "The Difference Makers."  It was expertly put together by Christopher Schwartz at the Lost Art Press.  Very high quality product.  I strongly recommend you find a copy and support Christopher in his business, as well as investigate classes offered by Marc at his school.  My previous post listed the classes I will be offering soon.

Since I have been teaching for several years at MASW I have been able to meet new friends and other professional woodworking instructors who are gathered in one location.  Although the weather in Indianapolis cannot compare with San Diego, the intellectual environment is without equal.  Marc is always busy and personally supports his teachers, providing everything they might need to do a good job.  

And he keeps the ice cream machine working...

"The Difference Makers" is a book with stories about 30 instructors that Marc selected from the hundreds of well qualified teachers he has employed over the past quarter century.  Each chapter tells the story of that person, with personal comments from Marc, and samples of their portfolio.

Here is my chapter:

Mug Shot with Satinwood Pembroke Marquetry Table Top

Second Page:

My Early Work

Third Page:

After Paris: The Influence of Pierre Ramond

Fourth Page:

Was I Ever That Young?

As I read through the contents of this amazing collection, I am humbled and honored to be included.  I am pleased to see many of my good friends and compatriots included, and look forward to meeting others when I return to MASW in future years.

In my long career I have produced several television and video programs, instructed at dozens of adult education and institutions of higher learning, published professional articles, taught students from ecole Boulle in my workshop, held classes at Marc Adams, and enjoyed hundreds of students at my school, the American School of French Marquetry.

I am a woodworker and a teacher.  However, I think I am a better teacher than a woodworker.  I may retire some day from woodworking, but I will never retire from teaching.

Hungry young minds need to be fed to grow the future.