Response to Nick Hoad from 000831 MMDigest.  As I have said before,
I am still a neophyte in regards to organ construction.  However,
I have been following the ongoing adhesives debate and I feel that
many people are missing the point.

If you are restoring a historical piece, and want to maximize its
historical value, then you will use the techniques and materials used
when the device was originally constructed.  If you are repairing a
historical piece and want to maximize its performance life, you will
use the best materials and techniques available today *as long as these
materials and techniques do not damage the piece or make it impossible
for future restorers to perform a 'historically correct' restoration.*

If you are constructing a new device then 'historical correctness' has
no bearing on your project.  It is time to think outside the box and
use the best materials and techniques for each application.  Sometimes
these will be historical materials and techniques, often something more
modern.

Hot hide glue is a very old technology.  It was the best thing they had
for many applications 100 years ago.  Today, we have adhesives which
are much better for many (not necessarily all) applications.

There has been much discussion on MMD about this subject.  Visit the
MMD Archives (http://mmd.foxtail.com/Archives/KWIC/index.html) and read
messages under keywords hide, hot, silicone, RTV, egg, glue.

Also, check the technical section, http://mmd.foxtail.com/Tech/index.html

Here is an interesting article which starts as a diatribe against
modern materials, but ends in advocating one!
http://www.player-care.com/cb/glues_and_sealants.html

Les Lovesee