Types of Woodworking Glue
There are many types of woodworking glue, and each has its purpose. Woodworking glue is an essential part of wood joinery such as dovetail joints or box joints. Before glue became prevalent, furniture, bridges, and cabins were held securely together by clever joints, wooden pegs, or nails.
These methods could be problematic. In colonial times, carpenters couldn’t go to home improvement stores and buy a box of nails. Instead, they used “wire” and made their nails.
The advantages of modern woodworking glues are that they’re inexpensive, hide joints, and don’t rust. So which glue is appropriate for which DIY project? The right glue is as important as the right wood finish or using the right saw for the project. Read on…
Applying Formica Using Contact Cement
Contact cement is just the ticket for some DIY projects. If a cabinetmaker is using contact cement, he’s probably applying plastic laminate (or Formica) to kitchen cabinets. The advantages of contact cement are its high strength and initial grab. It’s usually a neoprene-based compound.
When using contact cement, apply it to both mating surfaces, allow it to become tacky, and press the surfaces together. Get it right the first time; when they say initial grab, they’re not kidding.
- Carpenter’s Tip – Place lengths of dowels between the mating surfaces and remove them one by one while mating the surfaces and working out air bubbles using a J-roller.
Quality contact cement is made by Dap, 3M Fastbond, Titan DX, and Loctite.
Carpenter’s Glue – Back to the Basics
Carpenter’s yellow glue is arguably the one that most homeowners have on their workbench. It’s been called the Swiss Army Knife of glues. Carpenter’s glue is a polyvinyl acetate-based glue.
Carpenter’s glue boasts a very liberal working time, which is an attractive attribute for projects which require complex clamping.
Elmer’s and Dap are the leading manufacturers of carpenter’s yellow glue.
- Carpenter’s Tip – Save sawdust from the DIY project. Make a paste of carpenter’s glue and sawdust and use it to putty joints and nail holes. It’s inexpensive and a perfect match!
Using Hide Glue for Restoring Antique Furniture
Hide glue is one of the oldest glues used for wood joinery, especially in the furniture realm. It gets its name from animal hide, since it’s made from collagen from cattle hide and connective tissues.
Hide glue is still the preferred glue for making stringed musical instruments. It comes as a powder and is mixed with water at a 1:1 ratio.
- Carpenter’s Tip – Always use hide glue when restoring antique furniture if it was originally used; otherwise, the item will lose its antique status.
Titebond I, II, and III
The Titebond family of woodworking glues is really in a class of its own. As might be expected from the name, the product line has been evolving. The latest incarnation, Titebond III, has an open time of ten minutes, has a strength of 4000 PSI, and is the most waterproof woodworking glue on the market.
Polyurethane Wood Glue
Polyurethane wood glue is quite an experience to the first-time DIY user. Apply it, clamp it up, and once it’s cured it looks like some kind of alien spore attacked the project!
Polyurethane glue reacts to moisture when curing. The more it dries, the more it expands and bubbles out of the joint. That’s why it’s so important to use sufficient clamping. This is very strong glue and works well on most woodworking projects.
Gorilla Grip is the major manufacturer of polyurethane glue.
- Carpenter’s Tip – Spread wax paper under the project or the bubbly squeeze-out will bond it to the workbench!
Kelly Smith - Kelly has over 30 years experience as a journeyman carpenter and 20 as a freelance writer and photographer.
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