Wood Glue: Everything You Should Know

When researching this post, I found more videos that those included in this post, but after review, these videos cover all the bases and situations applicable to wood glue necessary for review in woodworking.  These tutorials address beginning concepts as well in depth advanced concepts and applications.   This post great reference for any woodworking situation you may encounter.

What You Need to Know About Glue | WOODWORKING BASICS | Steve Ramsey – Woodworking for Mere Mortals

Wood Glue Video Summary:  

Steve, as usual, gets into the ins-and-outs of wood glue with enthusiasm, comedy, and efficiency.  He breaks down great tips on what to do and what not to do with wood glue.  I included this one first as it is one of the most comprehensive and efficient tutorials available for a beginning or average skilled woodworker.

Video Breakdown:

(0:15) – Using glue;

(1:29) – Wood Glue, Titebond II;

(1:56) – How to apply wood glue;

(3:05) – Clamping;

(3:34) – Drying time;

(4:34) – Clamping with nails;

(5:22) – Gluing end-grain;

(6:44) – My other go-to adhesives;

(7:40) – Weldbond;

(8:16) – Conclusion.

Unique Clips:

(1:56) – Gluing end-grain is usually not advised for the best bond;

(2:13) – Great tip on using rubber kitchen silicone basting brushes to apply the glue, which are easy to clean once dry;

(5:22) – Great tips for gluing end-grain.

Woodworker’s Guide to Glue | The Wood Whisperer

Wood Glue Video Summary:  

If Steve Ramsey’s video was a great introduction for a beginner or moderately skilled woodworker, this tutorial from the Wood Whisperer is geared toward the advanced woodworker, and has lots of great, in-depth details.  He gets into the details and answers some valuable questions at the end as well.  This tutorial is a must see and well worth the time and effort to watch it.  Check out TWW’s full post here.

Video Breakdown:

(0:00) – Overview of the video, and chart of glues with pricing and characteristics;

(0:45) – Interior projects;

(1:23) – Food safety;

(1:37) – Exterior projects;

(1:57) – Need more assembly time;

(2:33) – Cold conditions;

(2:47) – Bond strength;

(3:18) – Fast dry time;

(3:55) – Glue line color;

(6:48) – Wood with high moisture content;

(7:20) – Oily exotics;

(8:24) – Pre-finishing;

(10:00) – Saving money;

(10:44) – Repair-ability;

(11:11) – Keeping it simple;

(11:36) – Question: Open time vs assembly time?;

(12:33) – Question: Best way to clean up glue?;

(15:49) – Question: Can glues be died?;

(16:16) – Question: How to keep caps clean?;

(17:30) – Question: What if the glue thickens up or becomes stringy?;

(18:11) – Conclusion.

How to Choose the Right Glue for Woodworking Projects | FineWoodworking

Wood Glue Video Summary:  

FineWoodworking gives a quick overview overview of the most used types of wood glue, as well as some less used glue.  This tutorial is most helpful for showing the uses of some of the lesser used glues such as CA glue and contact cement.

Video Breakdown:

(0:22) – Ordinary woodworking glue, TItebond I, good for most wood working situations;

(2:34) – When more glue up time is needed, Titebond III, good for water proof projects ;

(3:57) – When filling gaps, use epoxy, as regular wood glues can handle filling the glues;

(4:57) – CA glue, great for small pieces that you can’t clamp, where you don’t want to see a glue line.

Unique Clips:

(1:04) – Contact cement is good for random ancillary projects and small jigs around the shop.

(1:56) – They recommend a dry test fitting before applying wood glue to the project.

(2:08) – Gluing sub assemblies first, then gluing those assemblies together can make it a much less stressful project.

The Great Glue Test | What Is The Best Wood Glue | Results | Wood By Wright

Wood Glue Video Summary:  

James did a whole bunch of tests on many different types of glue and situations.  In this video he goes through all of his discoveries and sometimes surprising results. You can find his raw data here.

Video Breakdown:

(0:08) – Intro and overview of his test;

(3:04) – The tests he did, and why he did it;

(4:05) – Hide glue;

(5:08) – Long grain to long grain;

(8:30) – Long grain to end grain;

(9:48) – Gap filling;

(12:09) – Exterior glue projects.