What glue is good on bone?

Posted by Linnea Lahlum on April 6, 2011 at 9:10pm

Okay, I know it’s a weird question, and off topic. But it IS about a piece of art! A friend has a native american painted cow skull. It was shipped to his home, and now has a crack. He asked what to use to glue it. I figured something organic; or anything that would work on a porous surface, like a water based craft glue. I haven’t seen it, but I don’t think it’s in danger of falling apart; more to fill the crack for cosmetic reasons.

Does this sound right? Thanks!

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Robert Wallis April 7, 2011 at 3:05pm

At the risk of sounding like a smart-ass, have you considered bone glue? No, really; bone glue. It's been in use for centuries, and was always used in furniture making up until about 50 years ago. It's made by boiling animal bones until the collagens break down. It's the same material so there wouldn't be a problem with discoloration. Google bone glue and check out some of the hits. If the joint is going to be painted over, I would try the gel-type super glues as they are excellent at bonding porous surfaces.
Linnea Lahlum April 7, 2011 at 10:56am

Thanks. I’ve got E6000 on hand, but it’s so thick, I doubt I could get it into the crack. Same thing with epoxy. That was one reason for wanting to use a water based glue: I could dilute it if need be, to get it in there.

He sent me a photo last night. A fuzzy camera photo, but better than nothing. The crack is in a painted area, so I would need to touch it up (with acrylics) afterward. So discoloration of the glue is not an issue.

Jacqueline, how do you use E6000? I've always found it so difficult to apply, I've never taken to it. I got the cone shaped tips for the tube, but it's always been too viscous to go through them.
- Jacqueline Webster > Linnea Lahlum April 7, 2011 at 1:19pm
  
  I tend to use a toothpick, and in a pinch I'll use my finger, preferably while wearing a nitrile exam glove, to apply the E6000. It is pretty thick, though. I've found it easier to work with if I mix it around a bit with a toothpick on a piece of glass or metal before application instead of trying to use it straight out of the tube. If you have plenty of ventilation you could also hit it with a warm (not hot) hairdrier and give it a good mix to make it more workable.
  
  If it's a tiny crack you could always resort to Super Glue. Also, when I'm stumped like this sometimes I'll go down to Home Depot and peruse their adhesives aisle.
Jacqueline Webster April 7, 2011 at 10:05am

I would try some kind of epoxy or my standby for tough stuff, E-6000. Natural glues may discolor or become brittle over time. Good luck!
Casey Bemis April 7, 2011 at 12:47am

hey, i might be wrong, but you could use an egg emulsion binder as an organic glue alternative for bone. i know that egg yolk with beeswax and honey is an old egyptian paste formula for glue. i doubt you'd want to use resin, which is messy. anyways, just an idea, certainly one path to ponder.

let me know what you find out or if this is a good idea.