Best Wood Glues Reviews & Editorial Ratings
When it comes to working on professional or any random DIY woodworking tasks wood glue is a must-have. Whether it’s filling some gaps, binding joints, fixing broken pieces of wood or preventing surfaces from disintegrating, there is no doubt that this characteristically sticky liquid is needed at some point in the process. But with so many options to choose from these days how do you know what works for a specific project? Well, selecting the perfect product is undoubtedly no walk in the park.
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To begin with, wood glue prices vary significantly. And with manufacturers trying to outdo each other any buyer can be left confused in the face of seemingly limitless options. In this guide, we take a look at some great products available in the market. But first, let’s go through at some factors you need to consider to inform your purchasing decision.
10 Best Wood Glues
1. Gorilla Wood Glue, 18 ounce
Hands down one of the best wood glues currently on the market, it is a versatile choice ideal for a wide scope of applications. The water-based adhesive is extremely popular and rates highly on the basis of its formidable performance and ease of use. Optimized for use on hardwoods, softwoods, and natural composites, it dries in record time. You'll only have to wait for just 20 to 30 seconds and it fully cures in just 24 hours.
It’ll take an observant eye to notice the bond line it leaves behind after use. As for convenience, you’ll only have to apply the glue on one side of the wood in case it’s not very thick. For thick woods, though, it’s highly recommended that you glue both sides for the best results. Make a point of thoroughly cleaning the surfaces you intend to stick together before applying the glue. To achieve a secure fit, you may need to clamp the pieces together for up to 30 minutes and wait up to 24 hours for it cure completely.
It comes with all the desirable features. It firmly and permanently glues together various wood types and hardly leaves behind a bond line after it completely cures in 24 hours. And it’s easy to use.
Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
Delivers strong adhesive strength
Highly resistant to water
Works perfectly for both DIY and professional tasks
Works on a wide range of materials
Highly viscous
Dries quickly
Easy to use with an anti-clog nozzle
It’s highly viscous nature makes it a little hard to dispense
2. Titebond 1414 lll
A perfect selection for use on indoor and outdoor woodworking projects, Titebond 1414 lll comes with a bunch of features and specs for effortless, quick, and accurate bonding. One such feature is versatility. Besides its suitability for wood-on-wood joints, it also works as advertised with rubber, cloth, and leather. Its unique selling point though is the considerably long open time and higher viscosity, both of which substantially overshadow those of traditional PVAs. As a result, you don’t need to wait for the perfect conditions like lower temperatures before using it.
The above features are just a tip of the iceberg. Another instrumental feature that stand out is its ability to clean up with water even while it's still wet. Further, it doesn’t soften when sanding off especially after curing fully. It’s impervious to various elements that include finishes, solvent, and heat and is also capable of resisting mildew. Plus, you can use it on both interior and exterior applications.
Titebond 1414 acts fast and dries quickly and is not only strong but also easy to use. It also cures quickly and doesn't soften when it sands off. It definitely a perfect choice.
It delivers very strong initial tack and bonding strength
It's waterproof hence can be utilized outdoors and indoors
It boasts high-level sandability
It’s non-toxic and solvent-free
It does not expand once dry
Its residue can easily get cleaned with water
Has a long open assembly time
It’s less viscous
Retains its tan coloring when dry
3. Elmer's E7010
Elmer's E7010 works exactly as the manufacturer advertises it; quickly and efficiently. Compared to its flimsy, off-brand counterparts, this glue creates bonds that are stronger than the pieces of wood it aims to join. This performance feature explains why Elmer's E7010 is a common sight in the vast majority of workshops and homes all around the world.
In addition to delivering a perfect, smooth finish, it also easily and quickly cleans off with water. You won’t need any special cleaning detergents to get your tools and hands clean after a hard day of joining various wood pieces. Its non-toxic formula means its safe to use both indoors and outdoors and conveniently reduces clamping time to just about 12 hours.
Elmer's E7010 is recommended to woodworkers in need of a wood glue that’s non-toxic, forms strong bonds, easy to clean with water, sandable, and paintable. And it’s cost-effective.
Delivers a clear and durable bonds
It’s non-toxic
It’s easy to use
It’s sandable and paintable
Can easily be cleaned with water
It sets quickly
It’s not ideal for light woods or materials
Lacks impact resistant capabilities
4. Titebond 5004 ll
Like several other wood glues, the superior formulation of Titebond 5004 allows you to use it on multiple settings, including indoors and outdoors. It is exceptionally resistant to water and harsh external weather elements, giving you the confidence to apply it generously on a wide range of wood surfaces or objects.
Like virtually all our picks, Titebond 5004 elivers superb gluing, thanks to its attendant bonding strength. A perfect choice for a wide range of woodworking applications, it’s not fazed by finishes, a fact that makes it highly flexible. Also, sanding off doesn’t cause it to soften and because it is approved by the FDA, it’s safe to use on kitchen appliances and other hardware.
Overall, it comes with all the flair you’d expect from a Titebond product.
Boasts of strong initial tack
Delivers great bonding strength
It’s pocket-friendly
Can be used on different surfaces and material
It’s resistant to moisture and extreme temperatures
Comes with anti-clog nozzle
Fast drying with excellent sandability
Ideal for indoor and outdoor application
Not very reliable under extremely low temperatures
5. Gorilla Super Glue 15 Gram, Clear
And even though it's not recommended for use on polyethylene, polypropylene plastics, and similar materials, it's still a perfect choice for use on a wide range of other materials. Some of the materials it bonds wonderfully include plastic, wood, metal, ceramic, rubber, leather, paper, and several others.
Further, the expert and skillful design of the wood glue enhances its resistance to various impacts, meaning that it won’t be fazed by bumps or drops or any other rough handling. The dependable bond easily weathers extreme use and loads of attrition, and even hardy, extreme use, which explains why it's the go-to adhesive for the vast majority of hobbyists, professionals, and extreme DIYers. Renowned for its thoroughness, Gorilla Super Glue goes one step further and adds an anti-clog cap complete with a metal pin on the inside. Its work is creating a perfect seal for preserving the strength and impact resistance of the wood glue, thereby maximizing reusability.
Boasting a quick dry time of between 10 and 45 seconds without having to clamp, Gorilla Super Glue 15 is not only powerful but also easy to use. It tough, impact resistant, and comes with a heavy-duty anti-clog cap for preventing the wood glue from drying out between uses.
It remains unaffected by extreme heat or humidity
Great for both indoor and outdoor repairs
Leaves a strong bond
It’s versatile and easy to use
Dries quickly
Comes with an anti-clog seal for optimal reusability
Nothing serious
6. Glue Master Instant Glue – Craft & Wood Adhesive
The superior quality, commercial-strength of the glue's formula allows it to form the strongest wood-on-wood bonds. For users looking for the best bang for their back, you'll come to appreciate how fast and easy it cures and the prolonged shelf life. With a settling time of up to 30 seconds, few wood glues are as easy to use.
You’re at liberty to choose a level of viscosity that best matches the project you intend to undertake. Irrespective of your choice, your gluing experience will be nothing short of exemplary considering how easy it is to use and manage the wood glue. It settles a lot faster than most of its competitors out there and it’s of course versatile. Because it’s also non-toxic, you can use it on indoor and outdoor projects and it easily and quickly cleans with water.
Delivers industrial grade adhesive strength
Value for money given its price
Dries quickly
Can be used for a wide range of bonding applications
Delivers a clear shiny finish
Has great viscosity guaranteeing ease of use
Settles quick enough
Has a comparably short shelf life after opening
It’s toxic
7. Titebond 5063
For more than 5 decades, professional woodworkers, extreme DIYers, and everyone else in between have always reached for this wood glue whenever they need to joint various wood pieces. The strong initial tack this original aliphatic-resign glue offer means it reduces clamp time to a fraction of what it takes with flimsy, run-of-the-mill alternatives found in every corner of the market and the Internet. Another beauty of the Titebond 5063 is that it strongly extremely strong bonds, stronger than the wood itself. The bond is as good as permanent.
It is also a breeze to apply. It spares you the frustration of rinsing or cleaning it off your hands and other materials or surfaces as it is solvent free and compatible with water. You can use it in confined spaces as it features a non-toxic formula.
In all, Titebond 5063 creates strong, unbreakable bonds between different materials and is easy to apply and clean off with water. It sands with ease and leaves a high-quality, smooth finish.
Comes with a non-clogging nozzle for seamless delivery
Creates a smooth strong bond when dry
Can easily get cleaned with water
It’s highly heat resistant
It’s versatile
Easy to sand
It's non-toxic hence quite safe
Ideal for indoor use only
May need clamping to hold better
8. DAP 00157
DAP 00157 breaks new ground with its innovative cyanoacrylate formula that packs incredible bonding strength, enabling you to quickly and flawlessly make several repairs with impressive stretch. It’s versatile, too. It’s compatible with all types of wood, metals, rubber, and glass and because the formula doesn’t contain any dangerous ingredients or toxins, you can comfortably use the wood glue in both interior and exterior environments.
Clearly, DAP 00157 is a solid and perfect choice for handymen, woodworkers, and hobbyists who want to create ultra-strong bonds capable of lasting a long haul.
Sets very quickly
It delivers incredible adhesive strength
It’s versatile
Super easy to utilize
Forms clear bonds
Ideal for both professional and DIY tasks
Tends to produce a foul odor
Has relatively limited open time
9. Loctite Liquid Professional Super Glue
That Loctite glue comes with a super strong formula is not disputable. If you want to repair or bond leather, cork, paper, cardboard, wood, chipboard, fabric, metal, and several other bondable materials, it should be your go-to adhesive. It'll take massive force and some serious commitment to break the bonds the wood glue creates. It also acts fast and because it has low viscosity, it's a perfect choice for use on smooth, close-fitting surfaces.
This product is exceptional in every sense. Its performance is top-notch, it's easy to use, and it costs a fraction of the price of its top-of-the-line competitors in spite of the negligible difference in performance.
Suitable for multiple bonding applications
Delivers firm and reliable performance
Has a handy nozzle design for precise delivery
It’s super easy to use
Resistant to adverse environmental influences
Value for money
Nothing significant
10. Elmer's E7310
As for convenience, Elmer's E7310 has no equal. The user-friendly design of the 16-ounce bottle enhances ease of application on various without any significant difference in results. Your quest to complete any woodworking projects successfully should be a breeze with this product. Whether you are working on the interior or exterior, the ElmerE7310 gets the job done.
Suitable for interior and outdoor use
Delivers superior bond and stainability
Easy to clean up
It’s quite affordable
Highly resilient to adverse weather and environmental conditions
It’s non-toxic
It may take some time to bond fully
Criteria for Choosing the Best Wood Glues
Adhesive Strength
The adhesive quality is perhaps the single most important feature you should look out for in a product. Different glues available in the market offer varying degrees of stickiness, so it pays to go for what ticks your boxes. The best way to go about your choices to this end is by looking at the threshold of initial tack, how long it takes to set and dry not to mention time allowed for reversibility.
Depending on the intensity of the hold you would like to achieve you can make relevant comparisons before picking what is likely to give an effective outcome. A quality product with excellent bonding abilities will not only help you fix whatever you want but it will make your work easier without any back and forth.
Type of Glue
In the market, the first thing you are likely to notice is that there are several kinds of wood glue. They are five to be precise- Polyvinyl acetate (PVA), epoxy based, Cyanoacrylate (CA), Polyurethane, and Hide glue. Each category is made of a particular line of chemical variants ideal for equally specific applications.
This makes each type different in lifespan, flexibility, toxicity, resistance, and more importantly versatility. For instance, while epoxy based glues do an excellent job in filling gaps, they may take a while to cure, unlike others which settle almost in no time. As such, your needs should give you the right signals for the best type of glue.
Nature of project
Another guiding factor anyone searching for a befitting wood glue for their project is what they intend to do with it. Do you want to join two surfaces or fill gaps? Do you want a permanent or temporary fix? How do you want to keep the aesthetics of the surfaces you are working on? Are you working on flat or vertical areas? Is the task indoor or outdoor?
These questions should inform the suitability of any given product. Matching the nature of application and features such as water resistance, the appearance of the finish, clamp time, consistency or viscosity among others should help narrow your options.
Resilience and versatility
The best wood glue should be able to perform in wide-ranging applications without wasting away to adverse influences over time. For this reason, in your search for the most suitable product, looking at metrics such as the ability to perform in DIY and professional woodworking projects, resistance to moisture and extreme temperatures, indoor and outdoor performance capabilities should help you avoid getting a raw deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the most common mistake when using wood glue?
A: The most common error many people commit while applying it is failing to ensure the surfaces are clean. Regardless of the size of the area, it is important to clear any dust or particles because they are likely to impede perfect results, especially where aesthetics matter.
Q: What is the best glue for woodworking?
A: It is almost impossible to rate any particular product or brand as the outright winner given the long list of options. Besides, there are five different types of wood glue each manufactured to suit specific purposes. The best way to get is to get what works for your situation.
Conclusion
Given the seemingly endless choice range, it needs no mention that getting the ultimate winner for any particular woodwork project takes careful consideration. First timers, for instance, may have to try out a few products before settling for a favorite. Nonetheless, if you lack the slightest idea where to begin, our guide should save you all the trouble.
