This is a basic glue/paste that you can use as a cheap fixative in hobby builds. Once made you can add a bit of a tweak to make it last a couple of weeks, but since it is cheap, feel free to toss & remake as needed.
I was needing some glue for a project and had run out of the fancy stuff, and while I did have some school glue, I hate using that stuff for...well pretty much anything it's designed for. Usually it's a cheap binder/ingredient in other things.
Basic Engrudo Recipe
Ingredients
- (2) parts cold water
- (1) part all-purpose flour (e.g., 2 cups of water and 1 cup of flour)
Instructions
- Mix the Flour: In a bowl, whisk the flour into half of the cold water until it has a smooth, milky consistency and is completely free of lumps.
- Boil the Water: Pour the remaining water into a pot and bring it to a boil on the stove.
- Combine: Turn the heat off or low, and slowly pour the flour-water mixture into the boiling water while whisking continuously.
- Thicken: Return to medium heat and stir constantly for 5–10 minutes until the mixture thickens to a gravy-like consistency and clears slightly.
- Cool: Remove from heat and let it cool completely before using. It will thicken more as it cools.
Tips & Storage
- Prevent Lumps: Always use cold water to dissolve the flour initially. Using warm water will cause it to clump instantly.
- Preservation: Add a teaspoon of salt or vinegar to act as a natural preservative.
- Storage: Store leftover engrudo in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for about 1 to 2 weeks.
As a bit of a twofer, here's a good Papier-Mâché tutorial....it doesn't use the engrudo, but you could use that to glue things made with it together.
