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Glue Type

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Properties

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Use For

Limitations/
Comments

Interior Aliphatic Resin
(Yellow Carpenter’s Glue)

Liquid, ready-to-use. Very strong, tough, durable. Non-staining, bonds quickly. (1-hour clamping -- 24-hours curing).

Gluing wood-to-wood and plywood; veneering; gluing plastic laminates to wood; leather to leather and leather to wood.

Lacks water resistance.
Cleans up with water.
Keep from freezing in container.

Exterior Aliphatic Resin
(Yellow Carpenter’s Glue)

Liquid, ready-to-use. Very strong, tough, durable. Non-staining, bonds quickly. (1/2-hour clamping -- 24-hours curing).

Interior woodworking;  outdoor projects; kitchen or bathroom projects; oily woods  (i.e. teak)
Water resistant.

Water resistant.
Cleans up with water.
Keep from freezing in container.

Polyvinyl Resin
(White Carpenter’s Glue)

Liquid, ready-to-use.
Sets fast. Dries clear. Non-staining. (1-hour clamping -- 24-hours curing).

Gluing wood to wood and plywood; veneering; plastic laminates to wood; leather-to-leather and leather to wood.

Not good for high stress applications. Cleans up with water. Lacks water resistance.Will soften under heat.

Liquid Hide

Liquid, ready -to-use. Reliable. Very strong. Resists heat and mold. (12-16 hours clamping - 24 hours curing).

Gluing wood-to-wood and plywood; veneering; gluing plastic laminates to wood; leather to leather and leather to wood.

Not waterproof. Must wait before clamping

Hot Melt Glue

Must be heated. Sets-up fast. Waterproof. Flexible. No clamping required.

Mass production. Test glue-ups.

Not shock resistant. Will not take stains. Some cannot stand high temperatures.

Resorcinol Resin

2-Part. Must be mixed. Fully waterproof. Extremely strong. (1 to 2 hours clamping -- 24 hours curing).

Gluing wood-to-wood and plywood; veneering; gluing plastic laminates to wood;  wood for marine and outdoor use.

Dries to dark color. Highly visible glue lines on light colored woods.
Cleans up with water before drying. Uncured vapors and sanding dust can be toxic.

Urea Resin or Plastic Resin

Must be mixed. Water resistant (12-14 hours clamping -- 24-hours curing).

Gluing wood-to-wood and plywood; veneering; gluing plastic laminates to wood;  wood for outdoor uses.

Not good for oily woods. Becomes brittle in poor-fitting joints. Uncured vapors and sanding dust can be toxic.

Powdered Casein

Must be mixed. Strong bond. Fairly water resistant. (3-hours clamping -- 24-hours curing).

Gluing wood-to-wood and plywood; veneering; gluing plastic laminates to wood;  god with oily woods.

Not good for outdoor applications. Will stain some woods.

Quick-Set Epoxy

Must be mixed. Dries fast. Requires little clamping pressure. Resists moisture and chemicals. (5-minutes clamping -- 24-hours curing).

Gluing wood to non-wood materials; gluing oily woods; bonding non-porous materials; bathroom and kitchen projects.

Not resistant to heat.
Cleans up with vinegar.
Uncured vapors and sanding dust can be toxic.

Slow-Set Epoxy

Must be mixed. Dries fast. Requires little clamping pressure. Resists moisture and chemicals. (2 to 4 hours clamping -- 24-hours curing).

Gluing wood to non-wood materials; gluing oily woods; bonding non-porous materials; bathroom and kitchen projects; bent laminations; architectural structures

Not resistant to heat.
Cleans up with vinegar.
Uncured vapors and sanding dust can be toxic.

Contact Cement

Liquid. Ready-to-use. Water resistant. Adheres immediately on contact without clamping. (24-hours curing)

Veneering; gluing plastic laminates to wood; leather-to-leather and leather to wood; rubber to wood.

Pieces cannot be shifted once contact is made. Clean-up with acetone. Flammable. Toxic vapors..

Cyanoacrylates
(Super-glues)

Liquid, Ready-to-use. Water resistant. Almost instant bonding. (1-minute clamping -- 2 to 4 hours curing)

Securing inlays; small repairs; bonding nonporous materials

Bonds to skin. Cleans up with acetone or special solvents. Harmful vapors. Use with adequate ventilation.

Mastics
(Elastomers -- Structural adhesives)

Ready-to-use. Comes in caulk-type tubes.

Securing paneling; structural components (non load bearing); trim; flooring; wainscoting

Cleans up with mineral spirits. Use with adequate ventilation