[Jewelry making - Article 00393] - Re: [Orchid] Difficulties with Silver granulation

[troy hines]

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Ann,

    I am assuming that you are using the bottled hide glue, like what I
    used to buy from the woodworker's supply place. That glue used to be
    made entirely from animal based ingredients. The formula has been
    "updated" in the last year or so and it is no longer appropriate for
    granulation. They have added some plastics (PVA) to improve the
    performance for woodworking, which makes the glue useless for
    granulation. 

    Hide glue is added to the granulation process to perform two
    functions. First, to adhere the granules to the surface. Secondly,
    the organic material in the glue created carbon when heated, which is
    an important part of the chemical reaction in granulation. What you
    need is another compound that can perform these functions. I have had
    great luck with starchy flours subsitited for hide glue. I have used
    potato flour, and rice flour. I have even used instant mashed potato
    mix with great success. The flour will eventually spoil, but I simply
    remove the mold, and keep using the solution (gross, yes, but it
    works just fine). Of course, flour is not as sticky or as durable an
    adheisive as hide glue. 

    I have a package of dry hide glue granules that I have not
    experimented with yet. The bag contains (as far as I know) grated-up
    dried rabbit skin. This kind of glue is generally used by painters. I
    have instructions to prep the granules by heating on a double boiler.
    This should make an adheisive similar to what I used to buy in the
    bottle. I got the dried rabbit glue granules at an art supply store,
    so they should be easy to find. If I get around to playing with this
    stuff soon, I will let you guys know. 

Good luck
Troy

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