Best Wood Glues For Your Woodwork Needs

Wood is one of the oldest yet most elegant materials used to make things from interior decoration items to various pieces in and outside the house. Wood has this natural and amazing looking that add ambiance to any space. While working with wood, you need to cut, glide, smoothen, saw and even chop so as to come up with a great masterpiece. There are so many woodwork designs out there and some leave you mesmerized at how artistic and attractive they are. To join pieces of wood together, you need the best wood glues.

Originally, woodworkers used gums and resins from various trees to join pieces of wood together. However, as technology has continued to hit various sectors, the chemical industry has come up with easy to use yet strong glues that provide a great substitute to glue. Modern glues are made using complex chemical reactions involving polymer and plastics which help create great adhesives.

When shopping for quality wood glue you need to pick one with the excellent bond strength and quick curing time. Join us as we undertake a comprehensive review of the best wood glues available in the market that will help you put together masterly crafted wooden pieces.

Top 10 Wood Glues Of 2020 Reviewed

1. Gorilla Super Glue Gel

Best Super Glue

This 20-gram pack of Gorilla Super Gel will provide you quick-drying wood glue that only takes 10 to 45 seconds to stick together. You will even need to clamp the wood together with this glue. The clear glue has a no run control formula which helps prevent messy applications and unnecessary staining of your wood. It’s specially designed with unique rubber particles that are resistant to strong impact. The glue is versatile and can be used on a variety of materials including metal, plastic, ceramic and rubber.

2. Titebond 1413 III Ultimate Wood Glue

Best Waterproof Glue

Created by professionals, the 1413 III by Titebond is the ultimate wood glue with a waterproof formula that will not damage your wood. It can be used for interior and exterior adhesion with superior strength due to the original tack. The glue has passed the ANSI/HPVA type one water resistance test. You can easily clean it up with water and has longer assembly time. It’s also approved for indirect contact with food objects such as cutting boards.

3. Elmer’s E7310 Carpenter’s Wood Glue

Best Non-toxic Glue

To complete your wood project just the way you want it, the E7310 Wood Glue from Elmer’s is just what you need. It comes in a 16-ounce bottle that will provide you with adequate glue for your interior and exterior applications. The substance is designed to resist heat, mold, and mildew which are common with wood.

The glue is non-toxic and doesn’t contain any odors that may prevent you from working efficiently. In case it spills to the sides, you can easily clean it up with water. Since it has combined real fibers in its construction, it bonds stronger than wood.

4. Titebond 5004 II Premium Wood Glue

Best for Exterior Application

For all your exterior woodwork projects, the Titebond 5004 II is just what you need. It has great water resistance and has passed the ANSI/HPVA Type 2 water resistance test. It also has an initial tack-fast set that requires less hold time and increases productivity. For flush applications, you can easily sand it and has a wide range of uses. It has also been approved by the FDA creating hardware applications for indirect food contact. It’s also ideal for radio-frequency (RF) gluing systems.

5. Star Bond EM-40 Super Glue

Best Versatility

The EM-40 from Star Bond is used as a finishing adhesive compared to its counterpart the EM-02 which makes it a great substitute without being too watery. Since the glue is a Cyanoacrylate Glue (CA) is thin and able to penetrate joints and inlay materials. It’s compatible with a wide range of materials such as wood, rubber, ceramic, plastic among others. You will use as a finishing coat where you apply it several times and sand it for a great finish.

6. Titebond 5066 Original Wood Glue

One of the original glues from Titebond, the 5066 sets very fast and reduces clamp time greatly. It bonds stronger than wood and is excellent for sanding. It’s also resistant to heat and is solvent resistant. The glue isn’t affected by finishes and easy to clean up using water.  The great thing about this glue is its versatility since it can be used on hardboards, laminates and bond woods. Comes in a 4 pack with bottles of 1 gallon each.

7. Rhino Ultra Glue

From the brand’s Pro Series,  the Rhino Ultra Glue bonds almost everything from plastics to vinyl and even wood. It’s built with clear stress formula that’s designed to withstand high impact, shock, moisture, and heat. It has great bond strength and durability. You can use it for various projects around the house, the industry, and even commercial spaces.

8. Titebond Franklin International 6123

Best Translucent Glue

This translucent glue from Titebond is ideal for wood grains. It comes in an 8Oz bottle and blends in well with the surface without any clear visible glue lines.  It sets quickly and provides a strong bond. It also has great heat resistance and sets much faster than other white glues. It’s made using a safe formula without any solvent vapors. It’s also easy to clean up with water and non-toxic.

9. Glue Masters Cyano Acrylate Super Glue

Made of industrial strength cyanoacrylate resin, this glue will provide you with great bond strength that will be worth every penny. It cures fast and has an extended shelf life. You just need a small amount of this instant glue and it sets within 50 seconds. Since it’s available in different viscosities from thick, medium to thin, you have the power to control the flow when applying. It’s versatile and can help bond anything from paper to broken china pots. It comes in a 2 0z bottle that will provide you with adequate glue for all your needs.

10. Dap 00204 Weld Wood Glue

To activate this powdered, urea formaldehyde wood glue from DAP using water. Following the instructions provided, you will create a plastic resin glue that is perfect for interior application. The mixture is stronger than wood and is easy to mix and apply. Once cured, the glue is designed to resist rot, mildew and a wide range of solvents. It’s also water resistant and comes in a 4.5 pound pail.

How to Choose the Best Wood Glues: The Ultimate Buying Guide

Creating wooden masterpieces requires excellent craftsmanship, good quality wood not forgetting high-quality glue for joining the different pieces of wood together. The market is filled with different types of wood glues with varying bonding strength and curing time. As you step out to shop for a good quality wood glue, there’s a number of factors you need to keep in mind. To start us off, let’s explore some of the types of wood glues available in the market.

PVA Glue

Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA) is one of the most widely used glues in the wood world and is commonly referred to as craft glue or white glue. It’s designed for use on porous surfaces that include wood and paper. Once opened, this water-based glue will give you an open time of about five minutes which gives you enough time for joint assembly. The curing time for this glue is a minimum of 24 hours and can easily be wiped with water when wet.

Cyanoacrylate Glue

Commonly known as super glue, this glue is designed for both porous and non-porous applications. You can use it on wooden decorations or on metallic surfaces. The curing time is quite short where some cure in less than ten seconds while others may take about a minute to cure. This type of glue is also used to fill up cracks in the wood.

Polyurethane Glue

As an all-purpose glue, this type of glue will work on almost every surface but may not adhere well with some plastics. It’s water resistant and when dry it’s solvent resistant. These glues are ideal for both internal and external applications and it foams and expands when applied. The expansion process that takes place as they cure makes them great for providing adhesion to end grains. However, you may need to clamp them for an hour or two and let it cure for not less than 24 hours.

Cold Press Veneer Glue

Designed for veneer boards such as plywoods, chipboard and MDF, this glue requires no heat to cure and works well at room temperature. Unlike most types of wood glues, cold press veneer glue doesn’t bleed through the holes of the boards. It offers an open time of about 15 minutes and is only suitable for veneering.

Moulding Glue

This type of glue is designed for porous and semi-porous wood surfaces. It’s viscous and doesn’t run when applied. It’s used for vertical use and moulding and has a strong tack with an open time of only five minutes.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Wood Glue

Some of the features that you need to keep in mind when choosing wood glue include

• Open Time – This refers to the period that you have between pouring the glue on the surface and the time it takes to start curing. Open time is important because it dictates how long you have to assemble the parts before adhesion starts.
• Curing Time – This is the length of time that it takes for the glue to dry completely. Some glues have a curing time of a few seconds while some may take up to 24 hours to dry completely. For great results, always ensure that the glue fully cures before you move your objects. In some instances, applying heat may quicken the curing time while moisture may make the time longer.
• Bond Strength – Depending on the type of grain, different glues have varying bonding strength. Polyurethanes glues are used to bond joints at the end grain. The type of joints you want to have will determine the amount of strength that you will go for in a glue.

Conclusion

Picking the right wood glue for your project will contribute immensely to the success of your craftsmanship. We hope that this review has shed some light on the best wood glues available in the market. Choose the most ideal for your project and enjoying a great time as you create beautiful masterpieces.