Is Wood Glue Enough? How Strong Is Wood Glue?

Many people rely only on wood glue to attach the materials in different carpentry projects.

That’s why it’s very important to have an understanding of how strong wood glue actually is and when it is enough to hold the materials together on its own without having to use additional screws or nails.

So, is wood glue enough? Wood glue is enough to firmly join two pieces of wood together as long as it’s applied in a way that allows the bond to reach its full potential. The strength of the bond will mainly depend on the kind of wood glue used and whether the surface was prepared for bonding or not.

Keep reading to learn more about different types of wood glue, how to apply wood glue, and how much wood glue is enough to achieve a strong bond.

Contents

What Is Wood Glue Made of?

There are various kinds of wood glue that are made from different ingredients.

So, let’s take a closer look at some of the strongest kinds of wood glue:

Animal Glue

It is mainly made from collagen which is found in animal body parts.

It is the most popular among woodworkers because it forms an extremely strong joint that does not wear out over time. It also allows you to correct any irregular fits as it can be softened by applying heat.

You can learn more about animal glue here.

Epoxy Glue

It is made from two main ingredients which are resin and hardening fluid, These two ingredients typically come in separate containers and the glue will only start to bond with the wood when the resin and hardening fluid are combined just before application

It might take longer to dry than most kinds of glue, however, it can create an extremely strong bond that can withstand high pressure for a long time. You can learn how to make any glue dry faster here

Super Glue

It is mainly made from a chemical compound called cyanoacrylate.

The surface the glue is applied to needs to have some degree of moisture in order for the glue to react instantly and form a stronger bond.

I recommend the Gorilla Superglue (amazon link).

How Strong Is Wood Glue?

Wood glue is very strong and can withstand a great amount of pressure. Most kinds of wood glue can withstand between 3000 PSI and 4000 PSI (pounds per square inch).

The strength of wood glue mainly depends on several factors, including the type of wood glue used, how much glue is applied, the surface area of the connection, and the direction of the force applied on the surface.

Keep in mind that glue is often stronger than the wood itself. So, if a wooden glued surface breaks, it’s more likely that the wood gave in and not the glue bond.

How to Properly Apply Wood Glue?

It’s very important to properly apply wood glue in a way that allows it to reach t’s full potential. To help achieve maximum bonding strength, you first need to ensure that the surface is prepared for bonding before applying the wood glue.

Make sure to remove any contaminants on the surface that might interfere with the adhesive properties of the glue. You can wipe off any dirt using a cloth soaked in water and soap. You can also use rubbing alcohol to remove any grease or oil residue.

Make sure to dry the surface after cleaning and avoid touching it with your bare fingers otherwise you will contaminate them again.

When applying the glue, keep in mind that more wood glue does not mean more strength. It’s better to apply only enough of the wood glue to cover the surface you want to stick together and make sure to spread it in a thin layer over the surface.

It’s recommended to use a brush to apply the glue for better control over where the glue goes and how thick the application is.

Keep both surfaces pressed together until the wood glue sets and avoid applying too much pressure on the surface until the glue is completely dried and cured.

Here is a simple video with some helpful tips on how to apply wood glue:

How Much Wood Glue Is Enough?

As mentioned before, wood glue is strong enough to withstand a great amount of pressure. But, you need to make sure you’re using enough glue on the surface in order for it to work properly. If you only partially cover the surface, the adhesive bond formed will not be as strong as it could or should be.

When applying wood glue on flat surfaces, it’s a general rule to completely coat the areas you intend to stick with glue and spread it in a thin layer. This will help you achieve better adhesion and prevent the surface from getting unstuck.

When applying wood glue to edges, you will need to use more of the glue as edges tend to be more demanding to stick to one another. Some of the excess glue might squeeze out from the sides, so it’s recommended to wipe it away with a cloth immediately.

Is Wood Glue Enough? How Strong Is Wood Glue?