Woodworking: Get an Idea on Which Glue Is Best for Your Project
Woodworking oftentimes includes binding multiple wood-pieces together either with screws or glue. Lately, glue is becoming the more popular option, because it doesn’t interfere with how the end product looks, and because it’s more convenient and doesn’t require the use of a drill and other expensive equipment that you may not have in your possession. There are various types of glues, especially when it comes to joining wood together, and the right glue will depend on the task at hand.
Superglue a.k.a CA Glue
Superglue or CA glue is one of the most popular types of glue used to join hard pieces together. It’s especially popular in woodworking, as its advantage is that it cures in a very short time period. One of the most popular types of superglue is the gorilla adhesive. You can even further increase the curing process by applying an accelerant. The glue joint that’s made is incredibly hard, so hard that it can fracture under impact. A lot of woodworkers use gorilla adhesive as a temporary step when making a project, because the glue block can be knocked off with a mallet or hammer.
Polyvinly Acetate Glue
PVA glue is the most commonly used glue there is. It’s so common that if you own, or have ever owned a bottle of glue in your house, you’ve probably owned PVA. Yellow glue, so called wood glue and white glue are all likely PVA glue. There are some versions of it that are waterproof and the main advantage of PVA glue is that it’s available just about anywhere. The downside is, if you aren’t careful enough, the glue can interfere with your finish.
Hide Glue
Hide glue has been around for centuries, and as its name suggests, it’s made from animal hide. Although the source for hide glue is highly unethical, there’s no debating its efficiency. It’s made by heating granules of hide glue in a pot filled with water, as it heats up, the glue becomes liquid, and as it cools down, it becomes solid. There are versions of this glue that come in a bottle, which can be used just like PVA glue without interfering with your finish.
Polyurethane Glue
This type of glue swells as it’s activated by moisture and then dries. It dries quickly and hard, and is completely waterproof. Just like PVA glue, it can be problematic with finishes if not dealt with carefully.
So when it comes to choosing a glue for your project, all of the aforementioned options will provide a bond that’s strong enough for most furniture projects. The things to consider are mainly whether or not you need the glue to be waterproof, how important the finish is to you, and how long do you have to work with the glue before it starts setting up.
