How can I make White Elmer's Glue hard like plastic?

Question

A while back, I was gluing something and let some white glue spill on a 2x4 piece of wood. It made a small, quarter sized puddle. I didnt realize I'd done it until a little later when I went back into the basement and saw that my puddle was hard as plastic.

I make custom items using other available resources. I'm pretty cheap when it comes to the stuff I use, so this seems great. I would like to try and pour it into a mold and let it harden.

My only problem is, I can't figure out what made the glue hard. I've since tried to duplicate this and it always just turns clear and kinda melts into whatever its sitting on. I tried freezing it in the freezer as well, but didnt work.

The only thing that works is to leave it in the basement for several days (maybe even overnight).

Answer 1

Elmer's Glue is made of PVA which can be cross linked with borax to get silly-goo. Instead of dunking elmers glue globs into borax water, try pouring borax directly into elmers glue. Mix the contents, pour it into a mold, heat the mold at 400deg C while subjecting the contents to a high pressure press, then let it cool slowly, and you'll get a substance that is as hard as glass, nevermind plastic.

Answer 2

um, let it dry.