THE GLUE BOOK
[Illustration: MODERN GLUE-TESTING LABORATORY]
(Courtesy of A. T. Deinzer, Monroe, Mich.)
THE GLUE
BOOK
HOW TO SELECT
PREPARE AND
USE GLUE
A SHORT, PRACTICAL
DISCUSSION OF MATTERS
IMPORTANT TO EVERY
GLUE USER
J. A. TAGGART, TOLEDO, O.
COPYRIGHT 1913, J. A. TAGGART
AUTHOR’S NOTE
The purpose of this manual is to provide a practical guide for glue
users, to help in eliminating waste and improving the quality of
product.
That there is an enormous waste due to improper preparation and use of
glue is well known to all who are in touch with the subject.
Some authorities estimate that 70% of the glue used in the United
States is improperly handled. The actual waste is said to be in excess
of 25% of the amount of glue used; to say nothing of the loss due to
imperfect condition of the completed work.
The writer knows from actual experience that many glue users are
ignorant of the proper methods to be employed; and that many others are
careless, or indifferent.
The handling of glue is a subject on which much new light has been shed
in recent years. There is no longer any reason why the glue user should
not know the correct methods to follow.
This treatise is intended as a handbook for the glue user who is
interested in increasing the efficiency of his operations.
Technical expressions have been avoided, the whole matter being set
forth as much as possible in the everyday terms in familiar use in the
glue-room.
So far as the author can learn, from an extended investigation, no book
has been published on this subject exactly answering the needs of the
average glue user. Several excellent works are available which would be
interesting to a man technically trained in the subject; but although
they embody many helpful suggestions, they are not in such form as to
be of the greatest value to the practical man. No pretense is made for
the present manual of disclosing new facts; but rather of assembling
in handy and easy reference form a summary of the best modern practice
which the glue user of today may rely upon as a safe and convenient
guide.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
IMPORTANCE OF THE INDUSTRY
Glue industry founded in America by Peter Cooper--increase
in capital invested--increase in production--variety of
uses--increase in requirements Page 15
CHAPTER II
THE MANUFACTURE OF GLUE
Sources from which glue is made--boiling the
stock--drying--preparation in commercial form Page 17
CHAPTER III
TESTING AND GRADING GLUE
Grades established by Peter Cooper--the tests--viscosity or
fluidity test--the jelly test--apparatus for making jelly
test--the finger test--a simple, practical test for glue
users--sampling--bubbles--surface indications--color
indications--alkaline or acid quality--breaking
quality--foam--grease--keeping properties--odor--laboratory
test Page 25
CHAPTER IV
CORRECT METHODS IN THE GLUE-ROOM
Much waste through faulty methods--importance of correct
practice--soak glue in cold water before melting--test glue
by water absorption--appliance for water absorption
test--melting or dissolving glue--do not heat higher than
150° F.--apply heat indirectly--live steam ruins glue--use
thermometer--heat glue slowly--cleaning the melting
pot--importance of using copper, brass or aluminum
utensils--guard against evaporation--melt only the amount
required--importance of cleanliness--keeping the glue-room
warm--use by weight--storing--applying glue--securing
workers’ co-operation Page 43
CHAPTER V
MODERN GLUE-ROOM EQUIPMENT
Modern appliances now available for all users--only copper,
brass or aluminum should come in contact with glue--the
scientific glue-heater--the automatic temperature
controller--keep steam away from glue--glue
spreaders--clamps and presses--distributing glue in large
plants Page 65
CHAPTER VI
WHICH GLUE TO USE
Accurate records important--the best glue for wood
joints--veneers--sizing--paper boxes--belting and other
leather goods--bookbinding--emery purposes--how much to
pay--waterproof glue--vegetable glue--quick-setting
glue--flexible glue Page 79
THE GLUE BOOK
CHAPTER I
IMPORTANCE OF THE INDUSTRY
Glue is now so extensively used, and for so many different purposes,
that it certainly deserves much more intelligent treatment at the hands
of users than it has received heretofore.
Since 1837, in which year Peter Cooper, who may justly be regarded as
the founder of the glue-making industry in the United States, produced
the first American-made glue, the yearly output has steadily increased.
By 1880, the amount of capital invested in the making of glue had
reached $4,000,000. In 1905, it was $10,000,000, and is now between
$12,000,000 and $13,000,000.
The annual production has increased in about the same ratio. In 1880,
it was $4,000,000; at present it is about $15,000,000.
Glue is an important by-product of the great packing houses. Those
in touch with the industry know how extensively glue enters into the
manufacture of articles of everyday use. The general public hardly
realizes that glue is used not only in making wood-joints and veneers,
but in the production of paper, of silks, hats, carpets, rugs, and
hundreds of other necessities.
America now produces glue of excellent quality to meet practically all
requirements. So great are the requirements that almost the entire
amount of the American-made glue is absorbed by the home demand.