Strip Glue Review

[Jim Dodd]

I know it really doesn't matter what glue you use to glue your strips, structurally, as they get covered with epoxy.

But here are the three glues I've used.

Elmer's Max, has been my favorite, and still is. The color draws me to it, as it blends the best with Cedar, under epoxy. I use it to fill staple holes, and fill small cracks or gaps.
Due to not being able to find it locally, at a reasonable price, I chose Gorrila Glue, this time.
I've also used Titebond III, but felt it was too dark.

I poured a little of each glue on a piece of paper, and let them dry.
Both Elmers Max, and Titebond III, dried Flexible. Gorilla, dried hard, and cracked when I flex it like I did the others.

The Gorilla glue sands easier, with no gumming of my sand paper.

So for the build I'm doing now, I choose Gorilla glue for strips, and Elmers to fill .

Pics

Jim

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

Jim, if the prices were equal, you would use Elmer's Max instead of Gorilla Wood for your strips?

 

[Gamma1214]

I used Gorilla wood glue on my first two and Titebond II for the tie dye build. I liked the Gorilla glue better as it seemed to set a little faster. I haven't tried Elmers (yet).

 

[Cruiser]

I would suggest that the reason Gorilla glue sands easier, is that observation it dries hard. It is much easier to sand something that can't move with the cutting edges. The TB III stays really flexible, making it difficult to remove with sandpaper or even a scraper ... I would think this would extend to any of the glues that stay flexible.

For stripping I think one of the important features for glue ... is how well any excess can be removed. Typically, the premium glues tend to be a pita to get off, they are labelled premium for a reason, they are tough. The softwoods used for most strips have such low tear out numbers that almost any of the wood glues provide massive overkill for strength. Things like colour, opentime and temperature range become the real deciding factors on what glue to use (at least for me).

My "go to" glue for stripping is usually LePages Express ..... 10 minute setup, transluscent colour, easy to sand or scrape off and has a lower temp rating of 3 C. Unfortunately, it is not available everywhere.

Brian

​

 

[Jim Dodd]

Jim, if the prices were equal, you would use Elmer's Max instead of Gorilla Wood for your strips?

Most definitely !
My second choice would be the Gorilla glue.

 

[Jim Dodd]

I would suggest that the reason Gorilla glue sands easier, is that observation it dries hard. It is much easier to sand something that can't move with the cutting edges. The TB III stays really flexible, making it difficult to remove with sandpaper or even a scraper ... I would think this would extend to any of the glues that stay flexible.

For stripping I think one of the important features for glue ... is how well any excess can be removed. Typically, the premium glues tend to be a pita to get off, they are labelled premium for a reason, they are tough. The softwoods used for most strips have such low tear out numbers that almost any of the wood glues provide massive overkill for strength. Things like colour, opentime and temperature range become the real deciding factors on what glue to use (at least for me).

My "go to" glue for stripping is usually LePages Express ..... 10 minute setup, transluscent colour, easy to sand or scrape off and has a lower temp rating of 3 C. Unfortunately, it is not available everywhere.

Brian

​

Open time on the above three, is fine, for me.

The ability of a glue staying where I put it, without running off, is important to me.
Gorilla did great, as does Elmer's Max.
Titebond III worked without issue.
Bead and Cove, along with tilting my strongback, solved that problem.

I just checked LePage's Express. It is way more expensive than even Elmer's MAX.
I'm more in the camp of a slower setting glue, giving me plenty of time to assemble, or adjust.


Jim

 

[Jim Dodd]

Just to throw another item in.
Hobby Lobby has these glue applicators, that I love.
When not applying glue, I keep the cap on, and upside down. This insures I have fresh glue, when I'm applying.
If you can find these ? They are great !

Jim

 

[Gamma1214]

nice bottles, I'll have to grab some.

Interesting that they're intended for tie dye... can I hook you up with some gel stain for your next build?

 

[Jim Dodd]

nice bottles, I'll have to grab some.

Interesting that they're intended for tie dye... can I hook you up with some gel stain for your next build?

Thanks, but I'm more on the natural side.
I have thought of using Polyester Camo cloth, on a canoe though. Bought some, but that's as far as I've gotten with it.

 

[memaquay]

I bought a gallon of Lepages white glue for the current school build, I'm really liking it. I'm not sure how to describe it, but it is grippy, I can push a gap in the strips together, hold it for about a minute and walk away.

 

[Thestripper]

Another vote for Gorilla Wood Glue. It dries hard and sands well. I could even break off the dried beads of glue on the inside hull with a paint scraper. Seems to have a quick and good "tack" too.