Glues
Antique furniture is generally glued and secured using Animal glue and was the most common woodworking glue for thousands of years until the advent of synthetic glues. Four types of glue I use are: animal glue, polyvinyl acetate (PVA), Cascamite and Super glue.
ANIMAL GLUE
It has several advantages and disadvantages compared to other glues. The glue is applied hot, typically with a brush or spatula and is reversible i.e. when hot water is applied to the joint can be broken, however this needs caution as you may damage the surrounding surface of your beloved antique. Glue is kept hot in glue pot, which may be an electric unit built for the purpose however, I use a saucepan over a camping stove to provide a warm water bath for the jam jar of glue.
I buy it as pearls, sometimes called Scotch, when a batch is required I add a small amount to a jam jar, I don't make large batches albeit it could be reheated but best practice would be to make a new batch weekly as it will eventually go off. I fill a jam jar with water to 1cm above the pearls leave over night then warm up in the saucepan typically around 60°C adding more water to achieve the right consistency before applying to joint. As the glue cools, it gels quickly and joints will need to be held steady before the glue temperature drops much below 50°C (120°F).
I recommend practicing assembling and clamping the item to be glued as speed is the essence before the glue starts to set.
POLYVINYL ACETATE (PVA)
A white glue used for structural repairs that need not be reversible but should be invisible and PVA is ideal for this solution.
CASCAMITE
Powdered resin glue bought in small containers as a dry powder, mixed very carefully with cold water to a creamy paste. A versatile glue that dries white but pigments can be added to disguise it.
CYANOACRYLATE (CA) GLUE
Used in stabilising rotten wood, an old trick is to fill nail holes or rotting woodwork with sawdust and super glue. To patch wood with this method, you need sawdust that matches the specific wood you are patching. Add some Super Glue to the hole and then sprinkle over the top with the sawdust. Repeat until the space is filled.