In regard to Spencer Chase's statements that hide glue is difficult
to remove, perhaps he is not using the heat method for removal?

I am in the process of recovering all of the pneumatics in our Ampico,
after discovering the bellows material that I purchased and applied
nine years ago is failing and needs replacement.  I am very happy that
I used hot hide glue for the first restoration, for I find the old
bellows cloth comes off very easily using heat.

In our kitchen resides an old coal stove that is our source for heating
and cooking during the winter months.  I find by placing one side of
a bellows or pneumatic on the hot surface (not too hot), the old cloth
will loosen very easily and usually pull off in one piece!

To remove the glue, I place the glued edge side down on the hot surface
for a few seconds.  The heat turns the old glue to "toast" and it
scrapes off very easily.  An added bonus is the smell of burning rubber
and glue wafting thought the house, but it soon dissipates.

Another good method is to use an old electric iron held inverted in
a frame.  An electric iron might work better as they usually have a
thermostat and can be adjusted for just the right amount of heat.

While I am on the subject of hot glue, I discovered a great way to keep
the glue hot and not allowing it to evaporate.  I use a small pressure
cooker, without pressure, of course.  Place the glue on a rack in the
cooker, add water, put the cover on (using the gasket-cover) and place
the cooker on low heat.  (High heat would ruin the glue.)  When you
need glue, remove the cover and the glue is perfect and has not
evaporated or thickened.

Bruce Clark