Do you need some basic repairs and fixes in your home? Perhaps, you are constantly working on new woodworking projects. If you are, then you might need wood glue in the store. Wood glue can work on any windows, doors, decks, panels, and other pieces made of wood. How fast and how long the glue stays on the wood would depend on its quality.
The best wood glue will not only help in bonding wood, but it can also bond other types of surfaces. You can use it to repair damaged woodwork, fill gaps in the wooden floor, get two joint pieces together, and more. But how do you tell high strength wood glue from low-quality ones?
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What Is The Best Type Of Glue For Wood?
There are different types of wood glue that you can buy in the market. The right type of glue is one that is perfectly suited to the task you have at hand. It will also depend on the material you are working with.
Though some wood glues can be used for the same purpose, others are designed for a specific type of application. There are wood glues that you can only use indoors, and there are those you can only use outdoors.
When purchasing a wood glue, double-check it, so you’ll know its features and benefits. Here’s a wood glue comparison to help you make your decision.
PVA GLUE
Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) glue might be the most common type of glue in the market. It’s so common that you might have one in your house already. It is a colorless and odorless adhesive that you can use with almost any material. The best thing about it is that it is readily accessible.
Gorilla Wood Glue, for instance, is a water-based glue with excellent holding power. It’s easy to use and can be trusted to perform carpentry, hobby, and building projects. It has only 20-30 minutes of clamp time and is fully cured within 24 hours.
You can use the glue outdoors and indoors as it has passed HPVA or ANSI Type II water resistance. It is versatile and can be the best glue for crafts that involve wood composites, softwoods, and hardwoods.
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Things to consider when using PVA
Most PVA glues are interchangeable. Glues that work with wood can work for your scrapbook and vice versa. And if you’re asking, “Is wood glue the same as PVA?” Yes, it is. Most glues labeled as “wood glue” is made of polyvinyl acetate.
Use PVA glue on porous materials. It sets best inside an air-conditioned room and when being clamped by some types of pressure. Before you glue two pieces of materials together, you might want to place masking tape on one side of the joint. Then, flip the pieces over and apply the glue. Clamp them down, and use a damp cloth to wipe the excess glue.
To wash PVA glue from your hands, use warm and soapy water. Do not allow children to play with the glue. While it is safe to be handled with bare hands, it can be toxic when eaten.
HIDE GLUE
Hide glue, also known as protein glue, is made from animal hide. There are two types of this glue - hot hide glue and liquid hide glue.
Hot hide glue is created by heating the granules of hide glue in water. As it reaches the boiling point, the glue liquifies. You can apply the hot hide glue by dipping your brush in the glue pot and applying it onto your workpiece. Then, wait for it to cool and become solid.
On the other hand, liquid hide glue usually comes in a bottle. Like PVA glue, it does affect the finish even if you forget to get some of the dried hide glue from the wood. Titebond Liquid Hide Glue, for instance, is in ready-to-use form. It’s one of best glue for furniture repair because it has excellent sandability. You can also use it to create a “crackling effect” on your wood piece. It sets slowly, so it allows you to make a more precise assembly.
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Things To Consider When Using Hide Glue
You can control how long the glue sets by adjusting its concentration. For a thinner consistency, add more water to the hide glue.
When using hide glue, it’s better if you are in a warm environment. The glue does not work well with water, so you’ll have trouble sticking woods together if they are damp. Make sure to get every bit of moisture from the material before you start the application.
EPOXY GLUE
Epoxy contains a resin and a hardener. You mix these two liquids together to make a chemical reaction that leads to the creation of one of the strongest wood glue. Epoxy is known for its ability to adhere to a wide range of materials, its resistance to chemicals, and its high strength.
Epoxy can be formulated into a fast curing adhesive in just 2 to 5 minutes. It gives rigid bond lines among plastics, metals, glasses, and rubbers. It can also be the best glue for woodworking. This glue is waterproof, so it’s great for outdoor use.
Gorilla Epoxy can be used to fill gaps quickly and permanently. It can handle the toughest repair projects as it is solvent-resistance. It dries clearly and is ideal to use if you want to achieve that clean finishing. Because it sets in 5 minutes, you have time to reposition the pieces to find the perfect fit.
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Things To Consider When Using EPOXY
It can be dangerous to use epoxy with your bare hands. You need to use gloves when mixing the resin and hardener. Be careful to avoid any skin and eye contact. Even when you are taking the gloves, be careful not to come into contact with the glue.
Properly cured epoxy, however, is safe for contact. Wait for the glue to completely dry before you touch or test your project.
CYANOACRYLATE GLUE
Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue is also known as super glue, and for a reason. Discovered in the 1940s and commercially released in the 1950s, this glue has a wide range of uses. It can be used to join two or more hard pieces of wood together. It can also seal wounds and fix household items. There is CA glue for ceramics, metals, and even textile materials.
Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate (CA) Super Glue by Glue Masters has industrial strength that can bond almost any materials. It can settle within 50 seconds, so you don’t have to wait for a long time. From a temporary fix of your shoe sole to a permanent fix of broken china, this glue can handle almost any task.
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Things To Consider When Using CYANOACRYLATE
Before you start using the glue, you might want to cover the surrounding areas where you want to protect from spillage. It will be hard to remove CA glue once it dries. You might also want to avoid skin contact because glued skin will have to be removed by a doctor.
For better adhesion, you must clean the surface thoroughly. CA glue does not work well with damp, greasy, and dirty surfaces.
Because the glue is a powerful adhesive, you only need a small amount for it to work. A drop per square inch is enough.
POLYURETHANE GLUE
Unlike other wood glues, polyurethane hot melt (PUR) glue is activated by moisture. When it does, it swells, and then it dries. They can be as strong as epoxy but only uses a single component. They dry quickly and hard. They are waterproof so they can be used in the outdoors. Because of their high bond strength, it can be a great option for several adhesive applications.
Franklin 2303 Titebond Polyurethane Glue has a working time of 20 minutes and a clamping time of 45 minutes. This waterproof formula is best used in wood, metal, ceramic, and plastic. In other words, it can work on both porous and nonporous materials.
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Things To Consider When Using POLYURETHANE Glue
Before using polyurethane glue, wet the pieces of wood with a damp cloth. Otherwise, the adhesive will not work.
Since it takes up to 24 hours to cure, you need to clamp pieces together. When you use the glue, you might notice that it expands and creates a foam. This foam is useless as it is very weak.
To remove the foam, you can use ammonia, thinner, or denatured alcohol. If you don’t want to deal with foam, you can find PUR glue that is foam-free.
If there are excess polyurethane glue, you can remove it by using mineral spirits. Even with their help, however, it might take some time to clear the mess entirely.
Best Wood Glue - Final Thoughts
There are specific types of wood glue for specific types of job. If you want to know which is the best glue to buy, you must understand the nature of your project first.
