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What does everyone use to keep glue off of their workbench when doing glue jobs

14K views 62 replies 59 participants last post by  SirIrb 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I am looking for answers as to what is the best type of protection for my workbench when doing glue jobs. I have tried sheets of tempered hardboard and tried putting down wax paper. Does anyone have any "secrets" on how to protect my workbench top from the mess of glue when doing joints. Thank You !!!
 
#2 ·
Personally I do not bother. I just clean it up while it is pretty soft or wait until it has setup a bit and scrape it off, or for those bits I overlooked, scrape them off with a chisel.

Of course by taking this route, I need to ensure that the workbench top is completely glue free before I start putting workpieces on it. That isn't a big deal and something I am fairly consistent with.

Greg
 
#5 ·
Paste wax… Makes surface slick though.
I use sign vinyl in a spot where I get glue drips but it wouldn't be durable for a work surface.

Once it's dry the glue pops right off.

But yeah another "what Greg said" here. My strategy is to get the glue on the piece and on nothing else. If it does get on anything else I'll let it dry and scrap it off later.
 
#9 ·
I used to let the glue dry then scrape it off but the last few glue ups I tried what I had seen a few "pros" do which is to get a wet rag and wipe the glue clean right off,and I kinda like it this way now b/c there's not glue residue to deal with and I don't have to worry if any of the wood stain not covering the smudged areas.
 
#11 ·
For most glue-ups I just wipe it up with a wet rag or use a paint scraper afterward. For messy glue-ups like cutting boards, sometimes I throw a sheet of rosin paper on the bench. I have a roll of it mounted on the end of my bench which is mostly used for finishing, but occasionally use for glue.
 
#14 ·
I usually just wipe it up or scrape it off. Recently I have been using a silicone glue up mat as I think it cleans up easier and ends up saving me time but that is only useful for small things.

I picked up a Mainstays Vinyl floor protector at Wally World in a clearance isle for under 5 bucks. It is 2 feet wide and 6 feet long smooth on one side and slight texture on the other. I want to see about affixing affixing it to a spindle/crank set up and slide it into a housing on the end or underside to essentially create a blind set up and pull it out to cover the bench then wind up when finished.
 
#22 ·
Old shower curtain.

Disclaimer: This is not an excuse to take the shower curtain down, use it and then try to put it back with glue stains. That will most likely lead to a argument and might end with, castration or loss of some body part, possibly even death by your significant other.

(Laughing)
 
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