Gluing and adhesives is all about basic technique for the beginner. There is not reason to get into exotic glue or techniques, start simple and build from there.

Gluing Tip

When gluing up a project it’s inevitable that some of the glue will squeeze out of the joint. It’s best to wait for the glue to "gel up" before scraping it off with a sharp chisel or razor blade. Wiping up the glue before it gels can spread it over the surface of the wood and cause you a lot of sanding later.

Glue and Gluing Tips

Tips and tricks for gluing technique.

Adhesives and Glues Compared

Lots of good background info on traditional glues and modern adhesives in this long thread about gluing an Ipe edge to a counter-top. Gorilla Glue were outed last year by Fine Woodworking as poor wood glues in any circumstance. Counter-tops are typically glued with epoxy resin. Epoxy resin prefers to have a sanded surface, unlike conventional wood glues which prefer freshly jointed edges.

Gluing and clamping pressure

Is clamping necessary, and if so, how much? I've got some Elmer's Pro-bond yellow carpenter's glue, and the instructions state: "join mated surfaces snugly and clamp if necessary to maintain contact". This would imply that clamping pressure is not important for gluing effectiveness.

Woodworking Glues

Confused about white versus yellow glue? Or what glue is best for marine applications? Or for repairing antique furniture? Or for securing a loose fitting joint? Or for stabilizing a crack? Or for temporarily holding a part in place? Well, here's a short primer on woodworking glues that should help shed some light on these types of questions.

Choosing the Right Woodworking Glue.

There are several types of woodworking glue available for different types of projects. There are glues ready to use, those that need mixed with water and others that require two components to be mixed in order to activate the adhering qualities.

Gluing

Gluing tips index.