How to desolve glue?

[Don L Johnson]

A friend of mine brought over a music stand with a broken leg. Her dad made this for her many years ago, so it is special to her. At any rate, the leg had broken off many years ago and they used Elmers to glue it back together. My only option appears to re-glue the leg, but there is old, crusted Elmers on the joint. Before putting some glue on the joints, I need to get the old glue off. Any suggestions as to dissolving the old glue? Thanks

[Matt Kestenbaum]

Its cured. Better to use a beater chisel (and/or drill bit if a round mortise) to physically clean up the joinery.

[J.R. Rutter]

Scrape + epoxy.

[Andrew Joiner]

I'd try this http://www.de-gluegoo.com/

Post #4 here http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?185166-Removing-Glue-to-Re-Glue has a homemade formula.

[Tai Fu]

Steam will soften the glue, making it easier for you to scrape it off. Vinegar and water will also attack them.

[phil harold]

warm vinegar


heat and scrape

[lowell holmes]

I was going to say warm white vinegar to soften the old glue, but Phil beat me to it.

[J.R. Rutter]

I would not count on a non gap-filling adhesive regardless of how you get the glue off. That's why I mentioned epoxy. I have also used construction adhesive for stuff like this.

[Don L Johnson]

JR, I was thinking of using Gorilla Glue for its bonding and gap filling properties. I'm thinking cleanup might be easier than epoxy. Am I off base there? Thanks

[Mike Henderson]

JR, I was thinking of using Gorilla Glue for its bonding and gap filling properties. I'm thinking cleanup might be easier than epoxy. Am I off base there? Thanks
I'm afraid that Gorilla glue does not have any gap filling properties. It foams but the foam has no structural strength. Epoxy would be much better, as JR suggests.

Mike

[Matt Meiser]

Epoxy scrapes nicely for cleanup. The west systems stuff has fillers available and you could color it.