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GLUE

2K views 12 replies 9 participants last post by  Kentuk55 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have a gift I am working on for my Daughter in law for Christmas. My shop is unheated and I have to glue up some stiles for her jewelry box. It's cold out 31 degrees. I am using Titebond wood glue, I know i shouldn't use it. Are there any other alternatives…..
Thanks ED
 
#4 ·
Temperature affects epoxy also, the cold slows down the chemical reaction and 5 minute epoxy could become 5 hr epoxy or may not cure at all. If you can heat your shop with a portable heater or bring your glue up inside.

50 degrees F should be fine for wood glue if you give it enough time.
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
I don't know the size of your pieces, I'd either carry them into the house to glue up or you might try a microwave. I use around 30 seconds to 1 minute to microwave my glue joints. If the wood is hot enough to handle than that is enough. And you can usually continue on with your processing.

It like makes it instant set.

Furniture MFG's do that all the time but they use a hand wand to hold against the glue joint to set the glue and continue their processing.

They use radio frequency curing and I figured if radio frequency worked that micro wave should also work. I tested it and it does.

Good Luck.

I was reading some test values and they stated that 100 sq inches of glue line would cure in one minute with 1kw of power. So it you have a 1000 watt microwave it should cure 100 sq inches in one minute.

I developed this for use in workshops where we didn't want to take 2 days to do 1 days work, because we had to wait for the glue to dry. I use rubber bands for clamps so I don't put metal clamps in the microwave.
 
#7 ·
Another little tip is use some salt in the glue line. Salt will keep the two pieces from sliding when you are clamping them. And, salt also makes the glue more conductive so that it will cure faster. They state no more than 2% salt for the glue. So just have a shop salt shaker and sprinkle it on top of the glue.
 
#11 ·
Thank you all for your comments. I've learned a lot. I never knew about the microwave, good idea BUT I don't think my bride would approve. The heating blanket is a good idea also. Thank you Karson for your article on Radio frequency gluing. Very interesting… But now I think I'll watch some football, Besides that it's starting to sleet out and it's dark… Theirs always tomorrow… Ed
 
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