Tite as a duck's ...

[PerranOak]

Have you noticed that both Axminster and Rutlands have offers on Titebond glues?

I find that when I glue-up (esp. dovetailed boxes with, or course, four sets of joints) I need loads of time to paste on the glue then fit then clamp then clean-up.

Many glues boast about "quick grip", "strong initial tack" and just "fast"!

This is the very opposite to what I need!

I also noticed that one Titebond glue said it has a "long open time" - I'm guessing that this is what I need.

What glues are best for those of us who need more time?

 

[wizer]

I think it's TBII that's got an average 'open time' Titebond Extend is long open time, but I wouldn't recommend it unless doing something particularly complicated.

 

[woodbloke]

I've just started to use TBIII because it has a slightly longer 'open' time than ordinary PVA glues, but how much longer I couldn't say. It's also easier to apply as it's more vicious so it can be applied more quickly. If you want a really long open time, try original Aradite, not the quick setting stuff - Rob

 

[big soft moose]

I generally use TB I original - as its open time is still easily sufficient for me to position and clamp up - I'd find extend a complete pain in the backside tbh

btw with regard to the offers its difficult to use the big 5-10L bottles to do precise work but they are far better value so the trick is to buy one small 250 or 500ml bottle and then when thats gone just buy the massive ones and refil your small bottle from them

TB is easily runny enough to decant using a funnel

 

[gasman]

TB III is also runny enough to go into a 5 ml syringe and, using an 18G needle, inject into 1.6 and 2 mm grooves when inserting stringing and inlays.

 

[woodbloke]

btw with regard to the offers its difficult to use the big 5-10L bottles to do precise work but they are far better value so the trick is to buy one small 250 or 500ml bottle and then when thats gone just buy the massive ones and refil your small bottle from them

Agreed bsm, that's the most economical way to buy and use glue, but what about the shelf life issue with big container of the stuff? If I bought a gallon of glue it would last me for about five years (unless I used it for veneering as well) - Rob

 

[Imperial]

Axminster sell a cascamite substitute which is a powder. You can mix as much or as little as you want. It stays runny for ages and is good for gap filling. Work needs to stay clamped for a long time before you are able to continue to work as opposed to the 2 hrs with the Titebond etc, but very strong bond. Hope thats of help :wink:

 

[Boz62]

I asked a similar question here. I posted a "how I did it and why" reply further down that thread with comments on the timings I achieved for Titebond Extend. I like it, but only time will tell how it last or if it creeps too severely long-term. Certainly a few weeks after the glue-up it's looking good .

Good luck

Boz

 

[big soft moose]

btw with regard to the offers its difficult to use the big 5-10L bottles to do precise work but they are far better value so the trick is to buy one small 250 or 500ml bottle and then when thats gone just buy the massive ones and refil your small bottle from them

Agreed bsm, that's the most economical way to buy and use glue, but what about the shelf life issue with big container of the stuff? If I bought a gallon of glue it would last me for about five years (unless I used it for veneering as well) - Rob

yeah but you're a propper woodworker who uses all those fancy joints and stuff I have aspirations but 95% of the stuff i build at the moment is screws and glue - biscuits and glue if i'm feeling fancy - 500ml of titebond lasts me about a week.

Actually the last thing i built - A stereo and cd rack is a "fur coat and no knickers" construction being built entirely of chipboard and mdf (all found in skips) screwed and glued, then cladded and lipped with strips of oak (cut from offcuts) - all of which are glued on - I started with a new 1L container of TB and have less than 100ml left.

 

[wizer]

I find the 'shelf life' issue with glues rather perplexing. If it's true that they have a shelf life, then why not put a bloody life date on them! How on earth do I know how long it's sat on the shelf in the shop for and how long it sat at the wholesaler before it got there and then remember how long I've had it. I'm 30 now, I'm loosing my memory... :lol:

At very least, they should be like Budweiser (no not taste like p*ss), and put a 'born on' date.

 

[wizer]

A stereo and cd rack is a "fur coat and no knickers" construction being built entirely of chipboard and mdf (all found in skips) screwed and glued, then cladded and lipped with strips of oak (cut from offcuts) - all of which are glued on - I started with a new 1L container of TB and have less than 100ml left.

Have you posted pics of this? I think you doth protest too much moosey

 

[big soft moose]

A stereo and cd rack is a "fur coat and no knickers" construction being built entirely of chipboard and mdf (all found in skips) screwed and glued, then cladded and lipped with strips of oak (cut from offcuts) - all of which are glued on - I started with a new 1L container of TB and have less than 100ml left.

Have you posted pics of this? I think you doth protest too much moosey

not as yet - I havent got any WIPs but if you insist i'll put a finished picture up. It actually looks quite good if you dont examine the worksmanship up close - and "the client" aka swimbo was happy with it

 

[NeilO]

Wizer wrote

If it's true that they have a shelf life, then why not put a bloody life date on them!

even if they did, it would be a guesstimation as how long your glue lasts depends on how its kept and stored.

If your glue spends its life in a cold shed enviroment dont hold much hope of using it next summer to any great effect, as I do believe that if it freezes its pretty much Fubar`d.

I personally buy TB3 by the gallon (US) and refill my 500ml glue bottle for use in the workshop, and keep the remainder indoors so it doesnt experience any fluctuating temps, and to date has performed flawlessly even though my current bottle is in excess of 2 years old.

my tupenneth

HTH

 

[woodbloke]

I personally buy TB3 by the gallon (US) and refill my 500ml glue bottle for use in the workshop, and keep the remainder indoors so it doesnt experience any fluctuating temps, and to date has performed flawlessly even though my current bottle is in excess of 2 years old.

my tupenneth

HTH

...which is perzactly how I would do it as well. I may well go down that route next time I put an order to Axminster. Reassuring to see that the stuff is still good after a couple of years, if kept away from the cold - Rob

 

[Anonymous]

I find Titebond III is a superb glue with a nice open tiem - certainly plenty for DT boxes and finger joints despite have to paint glue on each piece

 

[woodbloke]

I find Titebond III is a superb glue with a nice open tiem - certainly plenty for DT boxes and finger joints despite have to paint glue on each piece

Tony - with the little experience I've had of TBIII, I tend to agree. I'll certainly be using it again on all my projects - Rob

 

[Setch]

Titebond original does have a date code, but you need to know how to decipher it. There's a post somewhere in the MIMF (Musical Instrument Makers Forum) library which explains how it works, as fresh glue is particularly important for the highly stressed joints used in guitar constuction.

 

[PerranOak]

I've bought sme original and some III.

We'll see.

 

[ike]

Woodbloke wrote:

but what about the shelf life issue with big container of the stuff?

I've had a gallon each of TBI and TBII that have lasted 5 years. I decanted the last of the TBII last week and athough it had thickened slightly, it is still perfectly usable.