Can I use glue past it's shelf life?

You could test some and make sure it’s still doing what it should. Todd Clippinger posted a video about testing glue joints.

I always wonder the same thing about medications in pills. Where exactly does the active ingredient go?

-- http://www.north40custom.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --

I have used expired glue on the face to face glue up with no problem. Maybe because of the glue up area is wide, the glue’s weakness would not show off now. However, I never tried it on edge to edge glue up unless it is reinforced by biscuit plates or dowels.

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

Just give it a test like peter said. Glue two pieces together let dry and break the joint if the glue falls then its bad if the wood breaks your ready to rock an roll.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

The glue in question is for applying veneer, so the test would really be longevity (I think)

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

If it is a piece of work you are putting a lot of time and effort into, I wouldn’t risk it to save a few bucks on new glue. Chances are it would be fine, but are you willing to take the gamble?

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

You make a really, really good point Charlie :) New glue it is!

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

I’d say that experation date or shelf life is all that the company will guarantee that it will be effective. I agree with Charlie, go ahead get yourself some new glue for this project, but give the old stuff a test and see what happens, the worst thing that happens is you throw it away.

-- "At its best, life is completely unpredictable." - Christopher Walken

New glue ordered :) Better safe than sorry I guess.

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso