TIL a single change in my glue pot transformed my endpapers

I switched from a slow-cook glue pot to a double boiler setup about 3 months ago and the difference in how even my PVA dries is night and day. No more burnt spots or clumpy residue. Has anyone else seen that big a jump from just changing how you heat the adhesive?

3 comments

3 Comments

scott.drew26d ago

My double boiler setup smoothed out my glue consistency way more than I ever expected too.

cameronn6226d ago

Man my slow cooker was basically toasting my glue into a sad little caramel situation before I switched. Double boiler is the only way to go if you dont want your endpapers to smell like a burnt marshmallow. Honestly thought it was just me being bad at bookbinding for like a year, nope. Your glue pot was just secretly sabotaging you the whole time. Glad you escaped the scorched glue life too.

wells.karen26d ago

I read somewhere that the temperature sweet spot for PVA glue is around 140-150 degrees Fahrenheit, and most slow cookers run way hotter than that on their low setting. That explains why mine was always bubbling and getting that weird skin on top. I switched to a cheap double boiler insert I found at a thrift store for three dollars, and it made a world of difference. The glue stays smooth and doesn't get that scorched smell anymore. I think a lot of people give up on bookbinding because they think it's their technique, when really it's just the heat source working against them.