Wood Glue Tips

After it sets up but not harder I scrape it off. Then it can be sanded when harde.

-- WOOD/DON (...one has the right to ones opinion but not the right to ones own facts...)

I use a combination of both: this may be why you asked “When you are gluing up panels…” For large panels where scrapping is easy, I let it dry. for Small hard to get to areas I wipe the excess away with a damp cloth: not too wet so I do not water down the glue.

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.

I’m with Brian.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Makes no difference some say wet will weaken the glue I think dry is better because wet if you don’t clean it real good and you use stain it will show through the stain

i wait until its dry and then scrape. when you wipe you can thin the glue and it can get into the wood surrounding the glue seam. that will create finishing problems.

Usually Tape and scrape…

Damp cloths bleed the edges. and cause finish issues.

Q

-- I don't make sawdust...I produce vast quantities of "Micro Mulch."

I use Titebond. I let it dry until it is still soft, then I scrape it off. At this point it is still pliable and I use a damp rag to get the rest. There is almost always some left in the grain and it will make the finish look horrible. If you let it dry too hard you might get tearout when you scrape it.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

You have to watch your squeeze outs and when they’re just right take a fairly dull chisel (Buck Bros.) and peel them off. Wipe it down with a damp cloth and you’ll be fine. For tabletops, I always use this method and try to get all the glue I can off before it dries. Then I run it through the planer because I’ve left it 1/8” over in thickness. bbqKing.

-- bbqKing, Lawrenceville

I’m with Scott.

I usually wait about 15-30 minutes and scrape with a not so sharp putty knife. The glue is rubbery and lifts off easily and doesn’t tear out the grain as it would if completely dried. I used to wipe it off immediately with a wet rag but found the diluted glue was absorbed into the wood pores. Even after sanding, some of the remaining glue would show up after staining/finishing.

Lew

Wow I dint think I would get this many hits that quick. Thanks a lot guys, I dont know if you guys know this but I am a fairly new wood worker, and I really appreciate the feed back. You guy help me out a lot!

-- Your not a true woodworker until you blow your nose and saw dust comes out! (WoodWorker Rule)

One important tip is not to use too much glue. For example, you don’t need a lot of glue for a mortise and tenon joint. I only put glue on the mortise and I leave the shoulders without glue. There is very little, if any, squeeze out and the joint is still strong.
I then wipe up any glue with a damp cloth and go over any inside corners with a toothbrush.

I use a combination of the two… I’ll usually use a barely moistened shop towel to get the hard to reach areas, and then I’ll wait till the glue more than skins over, but is far from hard, and then I’ll scrape it off. Sometimes when I have the time and patience, I’ll use blue tape to limit the squeeze out… that works good too.

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

Depends on the situation. Same as Steve.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

No stead fast rules, both methods are utilized depending on the project and where the glue is used. Oh yea, there is a third method called ‘creative drips n runs’ that pops up ever so often.

The valuable lesson your teacher is trying to convey is not ‘what glue removal method is best’, it is the fact that there is a very valuable resource of knowledge buried in the brain cells of fellow wood workers that is yours for the asking. Best of luck in the class and keep us posted on your progress.

-- I can so I wood but why are my learning curves always circles

i use the dry and chisel / scraper method , mostly because it makes my finishing easier and faster.

-- Roper - master of sawdust-

If its a panel, I do as bbqking does – oversize in thickness and scrap. For a small box I usually cut the joinery, dry fit and then take it apart and pre-finish the inside (except where the glue surfaces will be). After a shellac coat, I will use a little wax adjacent to the glue line and then glue it up. Glue then peels of easily, even if allowed to dry – although I do go after it before it hardens completely.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

both/either or

-- Respect your shop tools and they will respect you - Ric

I use either method depending on the project or the mood I’m in. I never stain anything so finishing issues are non issues. When I wet wipe I dont get it too wet because it tends to raise the grain and swell the wood. My shop teacher told me to let it dry then scrape. That was his way and when I was in his shop that was THE way! :-] I’ve never had a problem with glue though when I use the damp cloth method.

skeez

-- hey honey! watch this!

i do it both ways too

-- Rick Kruse, Rick's Rustics Handcrafted wood products Grand Rapids, MI

Thanks

-- Your not a true woodworker until you blow your nose and saw dust comes out! (WoodWorker Rule)

Thanks from me, too. There’s some great arguments and advice here.

-- "The only thing that counts is faith, expressing itself in love." --Galatians 5:6

didn’t THe Wood Whisperer say that there was a certain time to wait and then scrape it off?

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I’m with Scott too…

Sometimes, I will run blue tape along glue-line… and pull it off after it has setup a little… seems to work fine unless the tape breaks, then it’s a little more work to get it off… Make sure the tape is making good contact with the wood along the edge… the glue can seep under it!

-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=1389"

I use a carpenters scraper the right angle edge. Both white or yellow wood glues and gorilla glue scrape off well. I found there is a precise time for both glue types, the white and yellow glues when you can knock off a piece with your finger nail and it comes off clean and easy( its dry but you can indent it with your nail). The gorilla glue takes a bit longer again the finger test it should not be sticky, and it should be just beyoud soft before it gets hard. Gorilla glue scrapes off very quick and clean.

-- another tip from cooperedpatterns

I always wipe the excess glue off with a wet rag when gluing anything.

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

I usually wipe mine up right away.
for some unknown reason, every time I walk away from a glue and plan to come back in 15 minutes or so I get completely distracted and forget…

-- ~ www.darrylmasterson.com ~ www.woodworkingdungeon.blogspot.com ~