Chapter I: Front Matter

THE GLUE BOOK

(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