How to Use Wood Glue

Wood glue is one of the most-used items in my workshop. It’s one of those things that I’d argue every DIYer or woodworker needs to be familiar with! But, what if you have no idea how to use wood glue? Well, I’m here to help! I love taking basic DIY concepts and really breaking them down to make them more understandable, and today we’re tackling wood glue.

This is a pretty simiple topic, and I promise it’s easy to understand and use. But, just because it’s simple that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth exploring a bit! I’m sure you have some questions about wood glue, and I’ve got answers. Let’s get right to it, shall we?

The Basics of Wood Glue

Wood glue is a really common (and easy!) way to join wood. It’s incredibly effective – in fact, wood glue is designed in a way to permeate the wood fibers and can create joints that are even stronger than the wood itself! When used properly, it creates an incredibly strong joint that will last as long as you want it to.

There are a few different types of wood glue, and different types wok well for different projects. Let’s break them down really quickly:

Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA) Glue

PVA glue (also called carpenter’s glue) is the most common type of wood glue. It’s what you probably think of when I say “wood glue”! It’s generally either white or yellow, and can be used for the vast majority of wood projects.

Polyurethane Glue

This glue will be your choice if you need something that’s fully waterproof. It’s a moisture-activated glue that will expand as it dries. It can be tricky to apply finish to, so it’s really used for pretty specific projects. It’s often used to attach components to metal, plastic, or even glass.

Epoxy

Epoxy is composed of a resin and a hardener. It’s also water-resistant, and is great for filling in cracks and gaps in wood.

In this post, we’re going to focus on PVA wood glue – it’s what you’ll be using for the vast majority of your projects!

What is the Best Wood Glue?

Now that you understand the different types, you’re going to want to pick the best, strongest wood glue for your projects, right?! Well, when I’m doing just about any project (interior or exterior), I reach for Weldwood Professional Wood Glue. It’s a professional-grade glue that provides really fast and strong bonds. I’ve had the best luck with this wood glue and, if I’m being honest, I don’t really need anything else!

One of the things I love most about this glue is that it has a really clean glue squeeze-out. It sounds silly but a lot of wood glues can spill and create a giant mess when you’re working. Not this one. The texture is perfect, and it’s easy to clean up as you go.

Of course, if you’re working on a smaller project or need something with a really quick cure time, Weldwood Instant Adhesive is a great option. It sets in 30 seconds and can be sanded and stained in just 30 minutes!

How to Use Wood Glue

Here are the super simple steps to take when you’re gluing up a project:

• Apply your wood glue to both surfaces of the wood you want to join. Be careful not to use too much glue – you want the surface covered, but not drippy!
• Note: It can be helpful to apply masking tape or painters tape around the joint to help prevent glue from getting where you don’t want it.
• Use a silicone brush to spread out the glue a bit. This isn’t a requirement, but it makes a big difference! Be sure to wipe away any glue that drips with a damp rag – it’ll be a pain to deal with later.
• Press the two pieces together. It can be helpful to shift them back and forth a little bit to help remove air bubbles and spread the glue evenly.
• Use clamps to hold the wood together while it dries.
• Follow the product’s instructions for dry time, and then you’re good to go!
• Sand away any excess glue, then finish as desired.

Does Wood Glue Have to Be Clamped?

Generally speaking, YES! It takes time for it to dry, and if you don’t clamp your boards together, things might shift. It’s always a good idea to firmly clamp your joints together while they dry to ensure things stay where you want them to.

There’s one exception to this – if you’re working with thinner wood that can handle pin nails, you can use those instead! This is something I often do for something like wood trim, or other projects where clamps aren’t practical. Pin nails aren’t strong enough to hold a project together forever, but they do a good job of keeping things steady while the glue dries.

How Long Does Wood Glue Take to Dry?

This depends on the specific product. However, generally speaking, you can expect to need 10 to 30 minutes of dry time. Remember, though, that dry time and cure time are two different things. Just because the wood is dry that doesn’t mean it’s fully cured and hardened.

Again, your best bet is to read the product’s instructions and make sure you’re sticking to whatever it says! It will dry best at room temperature, so be sure to keep an eye on the temperature of the space it’s drying in.

And that, my friends is all of the expert tips I have when it comes to wood glue. Hopefully this gives you a little bit more confidence when it comes to your next project! Check out the links below if you’d like to keep learning about some basic DIY skills – I’ve covered a lot over the years.