Choosing the Right Adhesive for your Joinery Project

Not all adhesives are created equal. Glues have different properties making them more or less suited to some projects than others. Once you know the glues available, you will match the correct glue to the task for a long-lasting, clean finish.

PVA Glue

The most common glue used in woodworking projects, PVA glue is a good all-rounder to keep in your workshop. It’s a colourless, odourless adhesive and is readily available.

The main drawback is that the glue can be visible, albeit clear, when dry if you aren’t careful to remove every trace from your work. If you’re concerned about the appearance of your work, you can protect it by using a line of masking tape down one side of the join, then apply the glue inside the join before clamping the wood together and using a cloth to wipe off any excess. Some PVA’s are available as waterproof and non-toxic so they’re suitable for use on wooden food cutting boards.

Epoxy

Epoxy is a two-part adhesive– a resin and hardener mixed in equal or specified proportions. A chemical reaction occurs when the two liquids are mixed that they harden. Unlike other adhesives, epoxy is ideal for filling gaps in joints. Epoxies are water and chemical proof that adhere to a range of materials. They have strong physical properties for structural bonding. Hardeners are available in fast or slow curing formulas. Some projects require an extended working and cure time so a slow hardener may be needed. A microfibre blend may be added to the resin/hardener mix to thicken the adhesive. The filler can be adhesive (high density) or fairing (low density).

Polyurethane Glue

Polyurethane is one glue that doesn’t mind a damp surface to activate and dry. Polyurethane is ideal for outdoors because it is waterproof and hard but is fine in indoor situations too. It’s suitable for metals, ceramics, stone, Corian, most plastics and both porous and non-porous materials. A quick drying glue, it needs mineral spirits to clean off any excess.

Cyanoacrylate Glue

Commonly known as super glue, cyanoacrylate glue can bond to just about anything. It is ideal if you have a few items that need gluing or repairing because the shelf life is just one month after opening. There are four kinds of cyanoacrylate glue. Thinis suitable for most materials including Balsa and other soft woods but also jewellery making, furniture refinishing, antique and ceramic repairs, even taxidermy. The bond only takes 1-5 seconds for the thin glue.

The medium formula is good for harder wood such as bass and spruce and can fill and bond cracks in expensive hardwood. The bond takes 7 to 10 seconds but you can use an accelerator.

The thick formula should be used on high-stress areas and hardwoods like maple or oak. This formula gives you 30 seconds to position and cures in 60 seconds or less.

A rubber toughened formula is strong and flexible for wood, plastic, composites, and rubber.

No matter what joinery project you are working on, we have the right adhesive for the job. If you have any queries, don’t hesitate to contact us online.