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This article is from the Woodworking FAQ
Collection 1, by multiple authors.
69 How do you disassemble a hide glue joint?
Since hide glue is hydroscopic and thermoplastic, gentle warming or
warm water will release the joint. Unlike modern plastic glues (PVA's
and aliphatics), hide glue can be reused, meaning that a disassembled
hide glue joint does not have to have all of the glue removed in order
to be reglued.
Smaller pieces can even be placed in a microwave at half power, to
soften the glue enough to separate. We will often drill a small hole
into a joint and inject warm water (don't use hot water as the joint
may split) to facilitate the process. In fact, if the type of
construction allows it, a joint does not have to be disassembled at
all. A small hole is drilled into the joint, warm water is injected to
soften the existing hide glue, and fresh hide glue can then be
injected, be sure to clamp it correctly. This is particularly useful
when you have a chair with a rush seat and it can not be disassembled
without destroying the rushing. This works with mortice and tenon
joints on a large piece if only a few joints are loose and can not be
disassembled.
There has been talk about using handheld microwave devices on large
pieces, but I have yet to experiment with one.
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crafts, woodworking, bandsaw, biscuit joiners, dust collect, jointer, miter saw, motors, planer, router, sander, shop heat, toy safety, ammonia, antique tool, hide glue, motors, wood bending, workbench
