A Guide to Wood Glue

Wood glue is an adhesive that bonds wood together by soaking into the woods fibres thus creating a strong bond. There are many different kinds of wood glue available; differing between strengths, ingredients, and compatibility. The glue is so strong that it is more likely for the wood to break before the bond of the glue. Although all the glues vary, the kind you should purchase truly depends on the material you are going to be glueing together. It is important to note that the older the glue is, the more strength it loses therefore you should always purchase in small quanities so it stays fresh. Listed below are the top wood glues; we will discuss Animal Glue, Polyurethane, Epoxy, Cyanoacrylate, and Polyvinyl Acetate.

Animal Glue

Animal Glue is, as the name suggests, made from animal hide. It is created through the process of rendering animal tissue, hides or bones. This process is done by boiling these parts from animals such as a horse. Since they are created with heat, the glue can also be undone with steam. You can purchase the pellets of animal hide and boil them down yourself; Jelly Glue is an online supplier. This glue is very common in woodworking however it is also common in piano repairs and antique restoration.

Animal Glue

Polyurethane Glue

Polyurethane is the second most common wood glue. It is made from a polymer and/or long chain molecule. This is a flexible and rubbery glue that can be bonded to a wide variety of materials. However it unfortunately doesn't last very long due to the fact that it is unable to soak into the wood fibers. This glue is however perfect for gluing edges together in an L shape. Polyurethane glue can be bought as Gorilla Glue.

Polyurethane Glue

Epoxy Glue

Epoxy is a two part glue consisting of resin and hardener. This glue dries and hardens very quickly and becomes very strong. It works on a variety of mediums such as plastic, metal, or wood. Epoxy is also resistant to UV light, heat, and water which also makes it work as a good filler. Gorilla Glue also provides an epoxy adhesive.

Epoxy Glue

Cyanoacrylate Glue

Cyanoacrylate is great for general purpose gluing such as furniture repairs, crown molding, or trim. This glue is composed of an acrylic resin that transfers into a plastic state post cure. It is not the strongest glue however it does dry clear and quickly. Cyanoacrylate can be purchased as Crazy Glue or Super Glue.

Cyanoacrylate Glue

PVA Glue

PVA, also known as Polyvinyl Acetate, has been around for over a hundred years. It is the most commonly used glue as it is reasonably priced and has a long shelf life. PVA is best for glueing porous materials such as paper, wood, or cloth. As well, PVA glue is water soluble. PVA glue can be purchased as Elmer's Glue.

PVA Glue

Additional Resources

For more information on types of wood, click here! To learn more about wood finishes, click here! To learn about all our available art supplies, click here!

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