Wood glues
Wood glues are adhesives used to tightly bond pieces of wood together. Many substances have been used as glues.
The most common wood glue is polyvinyl acetate (PVA), also known as "carpenter's glue" or "Yellow glue". The white version of polyvinyl acetate is also used on wood. Traditionally, animal glues were ubiquitous, especially hide glue, which is still used in lutherie and restoration. Polyurethane glue (trade names include Gorilla Glue and Excel) is becoming increasingly popular, especially where water resistance is required, although water-resistant PVAs are available .
Other substances used as wood glue include
- Cyanoacrylate (Crazy glue or Superglue) used mainly for small repairs, especially by woodturners;
- contact cement for veneers;
- hot melt for temporary uses;
- Epoxy mainly for exterior uses;
- other synthetic resins including resorcinol, urea-formaldehyde, phenol formaldehyde resin, etc.
Wood glue bonds tightly to wood, but not to itself. Therefore, woodworkers commonly use surprisingly little glue to hold large pieces of wood. Most wood glues need to be clamped while the glue dries to achieve maximum strength.
Exterior Use
Wood glues intended for exterior use vary in their suceptibility to water.
- PVA
- Polyurethane - survives showers but not constant wet
- hide glue
- Cyanoacrylate
- contact cement
- hot melt
- Epoxy - waterproof
- resorcinol
- urea-formaldehyde
- phenol formaldehyde resin
Trade & other names
- PVA - elmer's glue, white glue
- Polyurethane - Deckbond, Gorilla Glue, Excel
- hide glue
- Cyanoacrylate - Superglue, crazy glue
- contact cement
- hot melt
- Epoxy - Araldite,
- resorcinol
- urea-formaldehyde
- phenol formaldehyde resin
Alternatives to Wood Glues
- Screws
- Nails & pins
- hammer fixings ??
- Corrugated fixings
- Clips
- Dowels
- Biscuits
- Dovetail & other interlocking joints
- Repair plates
- Wooden pegs
- KD (knockdown) blocks
- Metal strapping (small, screwed or nailed)
- friction, tight fit
- Split pins
- Staples
- plastic straps (wrap around, no screws/nails)
- Nut & bolt
- pronged nut & bolt (exact name of?)
See also
References
Patrick Spielman (1986). Gluing and Clamping: A Woodworker’s Handbook. Sterling Publishing. ISBN 0-8069-6274-7