Finding the best wood glue is a dream of every woodworker, as they are completely aware of the consequences of bad glue. Once you use cheap and low-quality glue after some time your project will fall and you will regret using that. Using a combination of fasteners that perfectly join the pieces is a necessary element in every crafter’s project as it helps preserve integrity and maintain a super-strong bond for a long time.
To choose the best glue for your project first you need to know what is your main purpose of using an adhesive, whether it is for indoor or outdoor applications, to fill the gap, to fix a temporary bond, or to make a new bond so What is the Best Wood Glue [2023] – Top Picks with Ultimate Guide Different wood glues are specialized in performing a particular task.
Table of Contents
5 Best Wood Glue Reviews in 2023 – Top Rated Picks
Rank | Product | Our Rating | Price |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Gorilla Wood Glue | 4.5 | CHECK PRICE |
2 | Titebond III Ultimate #1414 | 4.4 | CHECK PRICE |
3 | Gorilla Clear Glue | 4.3 | CHECK PRICE |
4 | Professional Grade (CA)”Super Glue” | 4.2 | CHECK PRICE |
5 | Elmer’s E7310 Carpenter’s Wood Glue | 4.1 | CHECK PRICE |
Types Of Wood Glue:
Before concluding which glue is the best for wood, you need to know what are kinds of wood glue available in the market and what is the specification. Let’s begin this.
- Polyvinyl Acetate Glue
- Cyanoacrylate Glue
- Polyurethane Glue
- Animal or Hide Glue
- Epoxy Glue
1. Polyvinyl Acetate Glue:
PVA is one the common glue type that is available easily on almost all stores and it plays a huge role in the woodcrafters life because of the huge benefits it is having. One of the biggest advantages of this is that, unlike other glues, PVA will never change its color and it will stay the same which keeps sheer strength strong with time. If you have mistakenly purchased a poor-quality PVA then it may break down over time. The fumes of this glue are not allowed to be ingested although they aren’t harmful to you ingesting them could cause a huge problem.
Almost all projects that have woodwork require PVA, but the type of it depends on the project whether it is interior or exterior. PVA comes in different variants they may be dyed, water-resistant or water-proof. One of the major types of this glue is Titebond glue which is a leading brand in the glue industry. The common types of titebond are:
- l Titebond Original
- l Titebond II
- l Titebond III
All of these types are yellow glues but they are different in chemical nature. Titebind Original is best for interior wood projects as it is not water-resistant and may cause a problem if it is used in outside projects. In contrast, Titebond II is water-resistant and it can use easily in outdoor projects that may be exposed to water. If we talk about the resistance level of titebond III then it is more resistant and more waterproof than Titebond II, this makes it unable to work inside the water also. Sounds great! Another major difference among these three glue types is that Titebond III has twice the open time as the other two, and you must use this type only if you want to wait for the setting and adjusting of the glue.
While using PVA you must be very careful because once it gets to stick it may put you in trouble. The drawback of using PVA is that it don not absorb stains and if there is any excess glue left then it is visible. So use it cautiously.
2. Cyanoacrylate Glue:
Cyanoacrylate is a super glue that ensures strong adhesion and excellent holding properties. It is available in both liquid and gel form and dries quickly. You can also use them for the assistance of clamping. They are usually used to bond small pieces and also helps in minor repairing. The glue instantaneously sets and ensures that the process is completed accurately and quickly.
CA glue applies to other than wood also, for general purpose glue. As it is clear and can cure easily in no time so you can use it for molding, trimming, and furniture repair.
Crazy glue is superb for repairing jobs perfectly, it helps to join cracked wood or glue chipped wood. On small wooden items, it can also help to do coating, the faster results are because of the gel adhesives that are used with accelerators.
This glue is versatile and you can use it on different materials other than wood also that includes ceramic and plastic, metal, etc. Once it gets stuck on your skin it becomes difficult to take it off, and in severe conditions, you may need to visit a doctor. So its better to take prevention before you need to have treatment.
3. Polyurethane Glue:
Polyurethane is a strong adhesive that can be used to adhere to any material that includes glass, plastic, metal, fabric, and wood. Professionals love this glue because of its versatility to accept all materials and provide excellent adhesion. The glue is completely waterproof and it doesn’t have high moisture content. Unlike other glues, the joints on which polyurethane glue is placed do not swell. To assure proper adhesion leave the pieces at rest for 24 hours. Although the cure time is longer it makes super-strong bonds.
As the glue dries it expands three times its volume, some people don’t like its expansion. If it gets to stick to your body or clothes it may cause a real problem for you. You may have to wait for wear-off time, then it will get off your skin. In case of things other than your skin, you can use mineral spirits or scrappers to clean up the excessive glue.
4. Animal or Hide Glue:
The oldest known glue known is Hide Glue also named as animal glue and rawhide glue. It is available in the market in the form of flakes or pellets which is then melted and applied hot. This original glue makes the strongest bond and strength of the adhesive is because it contains no additives. It is not suitable to use this glue under wet conditions as its bonding capabilities are highly affected by moisture. It cleans up with water easily although it is sticky and messy. Before buying, don’t forget to check expiry date because it has less shelf life.
5. Epoxy Glue:
Epoxy glue is made of a formula consisting of two parts, resin, and hardener. A combination of these two makes epoxy glue one of the strongest adhesives. It is waterproof and can withstand moisture, heat, and ultraviolet light easily. Epoxy glue takes more time to cure but the bond it makes is long-lasting and strong. This is majorly used in filling the gaps and repairing damaged wood. It helps to adhere not only wood but also plastic, material, and other materials. It sets quickly and hard but moisture and acid may remain in it, so it may not work effectively for all types of wood.
Some Examples of Wood Glue:
Here are some examples of top wood glues. After doing proper research we have elaborated all of these with their important features so that you can choose easily.
Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue:
Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue has a special feature of performing amazing work indoors and outdoors. This adhesive is most loved because of its waterproof formula and its resistance to atmospheric changes that also include humidity. It dries to clear and makes strong bonds not only with wood but also with metal, plastic, and ceramics. Whatever your project is you can go easily with this glue. The adhesive sands easily and provides a strong initial track.
You can easily do your work without worrying about time as it has a long open assembly time. It can retain its original features even at a lower temperature so you can easily do your work outdoors. Although it is great outdoors it also works perfectly on indoors, this adhesive is indirect food grade it means that you can use it easily on chopping boards and knife holders etc. These glue adhesives are non-toxic.
Important Features:
- Best for both indoors and outdoors
- Waterproof
- Superior strength
- Favorite glue of professionals
- Solvent
- Resistant to solvents
- Long assembly time
- Sand easily
- FDA approved
- Easily clean with water
- Non-toxic
- High tensile strength.
Gorilla Wood Glue:
If you are a beginner and don’t know what kind of glue is suitable for your type of wood then go for Gorilla Wood Glue as it works best for all kinds of wood, whether it is softwood, hardwood or even natural composite wood. It has a cross-linking formula that provides superior strength to the project. it guarantees water-resistant which makes it ideal for both indoors and outdoors. Usually, wood glues take a longer time to dry but Gorilla glue dries quickly with a clamp time of 20-30 minutes and it settles within 24 hours. So if you have a tight deadline for the completion of your project then you can trust this glue. This non-toxic glue is approved by the FDA for indirect food contact, you can only use this glue at places that are not having direct contact with food.
Important Features:
- For indoor and outdoor
- Inexpensive
- Takes 24 hours to cure
- Good for all types of wood
- Dries clear
- Quick-drying
- Formula is cross-linking
- Safe for indirect contact
- 20-30 minutes of clamp time
- Resistant to water
Elmer’s E7010 Carpenter’s Wood Glue:
Elmer’s Carpenter’s Wood Glue is super strong and has great staying power. You can get creative while working with this glue as it is easily stand-able and paintable. This glue is inexpensive and is resistant not only to water but also to heat, mildew, and mold also. It has wood fibers in it that help to enhance the texture when dry. You can use it easily without wearing gloves or a mask as it is non-toxic. While working don’t worry about the mess, you can clean it easily with water. Apart from all the benefits one of the downsides is that it cracks down easily during transport and once you open this it becomes difficult to close it. Although it looks good on some surfaces it doesn’t dry clear, but rather brown.
Important Features:
- Inexpensive
- Good for both indoor and outdoor
- Stronger than wood
- Non-toxic
- Sandable
- No fumes
- Resistant to water and heat
- Clean up easily with water
- Contains wood fibers
Titebond II Premium Wood Glue:
Titebond II is a low-level version of titebond III, this glue is good but the excellent features of titebond III are just incomparable. It is water-resistant and is a good choice for outdoor small projects. Although it is not approved by FDA standards this doesn’t mean it is not safe to use. It dries quickly and sets within 24 hours. This glue is somehow less runny than Titebond III so this might be your reason for loving this. Titebond III has more features than this still titebond II is more costly which reduces its purchase.
Important Features:
- Good for exterior use
- Water-resistant
- Sets fast
- Dries quickly
- High in price
How is Wood Glue Different from Regular Glue?
One of the major and prominent differences between regular glue and wood glue is that the wood one is specifically for use on wood although you can use it on other items also it works best on wood. Regular glue can be used on anything but it may not work as well on wood.
Regular glues can easily be cleaned with water but a problem arises when we have to deal with the cleaning of wood glue. Although wood glue is easier to clean if it falls on something other than wood as it creates a weaker bond there and it becomes easy to take it off. This is not the same always, it may vary from glue to glue. The drying rate of regular and wood glue also varies according to their chemical nature.
Final Verdict:
Polyvinyl acetate and Cyanoacrylate are two of the top wood glues that are used in wood projects. Although the type of glue that is best for your project varies according to the demand of your craft. We have given a detailed overview on What is the Best Wood Glue 2023 and in which of each glue you can choose the most suitable glue from the above.