Titebond 3

[Ross Buchanan]

I have used Titebond glue for years, and it has always served me well. Just before Christmas, my keg of Titebond 2 ran out, and no-one seemed to have any stock. I bought Titebond 3- newer, better, waterproofer. Not having any joy at all with it. They tout a longer working time as an advantage to it, but joints not holding at all after 6 hours, and only slightly holding after 24 hours is not what I can call an advantage.
I know we've had pretty low temperatures and miserable damp air the past month, but I never had any issues like this with T2.
Just me, or anyone else finding similar?

 

[meccarroll]

T2 has less additives so more reliable than T3 (both should work if used as per instructions). T3 should be ok but you may need to take it indoors after gluing so ensure the glue sets as it should due to the cold weather. Check dates as if out of date may be of no use. Most glues have between 6 months and 2 years life with most being around 6 months to a year.

 

[Spectric]

Used Titebond 3 for years without any issues, normally solid in approx an hour so what are you gluing, what wood and what type of joints ?

 

[AJB Temple]

T3 works fine for me. But I do not expect any glue of this type to set properly in cold and damp conditions.

 

[johnnyb]

Cold is s big problem with these glues. If everything's below 8 degrees these glues chalk. And don't always work so good. Titebond 3 is my only glue and I buy in a gallon. It's better because is more liquid so I can glue faster. It's open time means more time to rearrange even take apart. I recommend glu bots with titebond 3 they make the whole process easier as a pro using a gallon every year. Unfortuneatly below 8 degrees all glues can fail and its surprisingly hard to heat a very cold bit of wood, pot of glue and keep it at say 10 degrees for a couple of hours when its minus outside. Lookout for that white powdery chalking.

 

[Spectric]

It's open time means more time to rearrange even take apart.

The open time is good and required especially when it comes to using dowels.

 

[HOJ]

I've been working through a lot of glue ups over the last month or so, mostly all Oak, and with TB3, been virtually impossible in my shop as its not got much above 8 degrees, which has set me back, I wouldn't even entertain the idea in those conditions, so I take it all home, let it warm up and then stick them together thankfully I have a very understanding partner, and the space to do it.

I did one in the shop yesterday knowing that there wasn't going to be a frost overnight, and I haven't any more room to do it home, but it will stay in clamp until tomorrow, In the hope it will be ok,

Other than that never had a problem with TB3, been using it for years.

 

[Chief Sawdust Maker]

T3 is the only glue I use
I mainly make chopping and serving boards gluing strips of mixed wood together
I use Gluebots for application and cheap silicon pastry brushes for spreading
Agree with all the comments ref temperature I buy mine by the gallon, I keep the gallon and the gluebots on a very high shelf in the workshop to help keep it warmer
I have binned the dregs of a couple of gallon bottles when I haven't used the bottle for a while and when opened it just doesn't look quite right.
I don't want any failures on an expensive bespoke chopping board

 

[Ross Buchanan]

Thanks, All.
So my takeaway from this - the glue is fine. The problem is an unheated shop in Britain! Roll on spring

 

[Glenhyrst]

Just bought a gallon of Titebond2, the last gallon having lasted 3 years. Their site states a shelf life of 1-2years but maybe more if stored properly. I hope this one stores as well as the last, given that the date of manufacture was 6 months ago!

 

[HOJ]

This is a panel I glued up on Wednesday, it was a bit cold, about 9 degrees in the shop, there was some glue chalking on the surface, I'll find out to day if its OK:



Did another on yesterday afternoon, at 12 degrees, I'll leave this one in clamp till tomorrow:



Nearly ran of glue on this one, so will have to get another gallon of TB3 on order.

 

[Doug71]

TB3 is meant to work at
lower temperatures than TB2.

I stick to PU glue this time of year, supposed to be fine down to 5 degrees, pop it in the microwave for a few seconds if the cold has made it a bit thick.

Temperature reached 10 degrees in my workshop yesterday, first time it's hit double figures since Christmas.......

 

[Distinterior]

I've got a large & thick Beech end grain chopping board to glue up that I have been hoping to do since before Christmas, but I've kept putting it off until the temperature in my workshop increases sufficiently.......I bought some TB3 specifically for the job and its currently being stored under the bed along with the Beech in a spare bedroom ( I have a very understanding wife...) .......Yesterday it was far colder in my workshop than it was outside!....

 

[Andrewf]

I quite like the titebond, however this time of year I always use pu glue as it works well in the cold damp weather.

 

[Cabinetman]

Titebond is just too runny and makes a real mess everywhere, tried it a couple of times and didn’t like it at all. Went back to dependable blue bottle Evostick, even taking 2ltrs in my suitcase to the States with me.

 

[Spectric]

Titebond is just too runny and makes a real mess everywhere

Runny can be good when using dowels and you do get some mess but not to much if you do not use excessive glue. While we are talking glue, who uses it straight from the bottle and if not what glue applicators are people using ?

 

[Chief Sawdust Maker]

I use Gluebot or Milescraft bottles not much to choose between the 2
You can get all spares for glubot including different tips and new o rings for the lids etc
I also buy cheap silicon pastry brushes from the river store they can be had in various sizes and are cheap enough to trim and shape if needed
I have also recently brought a Rockler silicon glue mat which is a great investment

 

[johnnyb]

I use glubot as well and can't really fault them. They've made gluing a lot easier. I use home bargains craft brushes and wash em out. £1 or so for a bundle. There's one with long bristles 4 or 5 mm perfect for little stuff.