Most structure challenges allow the use of any type of adhesive. However, it is important that teams read the challenge and make sure that there are no restrictions on the types of adhesives that can be used. This page deals primarily with products that fit under the generally accepted definition of glue. Sometimes the challenge may have a very loose definition of what is allowed to be used as glue or adhesives. Teams should take this as an opportunity to research alternate "glue-like" products that are not covered under this topic.
It is not interference for the Team Manager to tell a team they cannot use a glue if the Team Manager does not believe the team can use the glue safely. It is not interference for the Team Manager to purchase a variety of glues for the team to experiment with and to teach them how to use them properly. However, the team must make the choice about the glue or glues that they wish to use for their structure.
Gluing two pieces of wood together may not seem like a big deal. But there are many different glues and adhesives that teams can choose from and that they must then learn to use correctly. Experienced builders try to glue their structure together so the joints are consistently strong without using too much glue.
All glues require that application of some amount of pressure to set properly. Refer to the manufacture's recommendations for the amount and length of time pressure should be applied. It is also important that the process used to apply pressure to the glue joint does not apply extra stress to the materials so that they are weakened by the gluing process.
The following is a list of different types of glues. This list is not all-inclusive. You can find additional glues that are available by visiting a local home improvement center, hobby shop and by doing searches on-line. Click on the links below for additional information about the glues listed. Brand names are listed for reference only and are not meant to imply that this is the only (or best) product to use in any particular category.
Select a link at the bottom of the page for more information on specific adhesives.
Review the safety rules on the SAFETY page before using any glues.
(Teams may also want to devise tests to determine the answers to these questions.) Plans for a glue joint testing device are available from the Specialized Balsa Wood website listed on the links page.
This is by no means a complete list of all the criteria teams should consider when selecting a glue or glues. Teams should come up with their own glue selection criteria.
There are structure teams that "know" that they are using the best glue for their structures. While certain glues work best in different conditions my personal observation is that it is not so much the particular glue that a team uses - it is how the team uses the glue they have chosen. Most glues will form a bond that is stronger than the wood that is being glued. Examine structures that you have tested paying particular attention to the glue joints. If the joints tore and there are shreds of surface "A" clinging to surface "B" then you have probably used the glue correctly. This demonstrates that the glue joint was stronger than the materials being glued. If, however, the joint broke "clean" and there is no tear out of one surface then you may not be using the glue correctly. If this continues to occur then the glue you have selected may not be the best glue for this particular application.
The terms glue and adhesive are often used interchangeably. Technically "glue" is a natural adhesive made by "boiling collagenous animal parts into hard gelatin and then adding water." Adhesives include glues and any synthetic material capable of creating a bond between two materials.
(PVA for short) is the white glue typically sold for school use.
The information provided is general. Always refer to the use, safety and cleanup instructions included with the glue.
Apply a small amount of glue to wax paper (about the size of an aspirin or dime). Use a toothpick to apply a drop (or several drops depending on the size of the piece being glued) on one surface. Place pieces together and hold under pressure per manufacturer's recommendation. Refer to aliphatic glue page for pictures. The procedure is the same. Once the glue on the wax paper starts to film over the glue should not be used.
Aliphatic glues are also referred to as wood glues and include glues such as Elmers Wood Glue and Titebond.
The information provided is general. Always refer to the use, safety and cleanup instructions included with the glue.
It does not take a lot of Wood glue to make a good joint. In fact, too much glue will create a weak joint. The tips with most wood glues do not allow fine control of the amount of glue being dispensed. One method for applying wood glues is to place a small dab of wood glue (about the size of an aspirin or possibly a dime) onto a piece of wax paper and then use a toothpick to pickup small amounts of glue (Photo 1). Then use the toothpick to transfer glue to the structure. (Photo 2). Then apply pressure to the joint per the manufacturer's use instructions. You can use a small weight (Photo 3) or a book to apply pressure. You can also use hat pins (Photo 4) to maintain pressure on the joint. When the glue on the wax paper starts to film over (may take from 10 to 20 minutes) it is no longer useable and should be discarded and replaced with fresh glue.
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Cyanoacrylates (CA glues for short) include glues such as Jet, Super Glue and Krazy Glue.
The information provided is general. Always refer to the use, safety and cleanup instructions included with the glue.
CA glues are sometimes used to suture wounds and to graft skin, bone and cartilage. However, if you happen to graft your skin to the structure you are constructing you should remove it so that you aren't cited for using a material on the structure that is not allowed in the challenge. ☺
There are many brands of Epoxy Glues. Elmer's sells a product called Elmer's Probond Epoxy Glue. Epoxy glues are sold as two components that must be mixed to be used.
The information provided is general. Always refer to the use, safety and cleanup instructions included with the glue.
Every epoxy glue has its own requirements but generally equal parts of the two components are mixed on a piece of wax paper. Use a toothpick to apply glue to joints. Follow manufactures recommendations for open work time, clamp time and bonding time. The same technique shown in the pictures on the Aliphatic glue page can be used for Epoxy glues.
Polyurethane Glues include glues such as Gorilla Glue, Elmer's Ultimate Glue Polyurethane and Titebond Polyurethane Liquid Glue. Polyurethane glues were designed specifically for wood but may work well on other materials as well.
The information provided is general. Always refer to the use, safety and cleanup instructions included with the glue.
Each manufacturer's instructions for use are slightly different. These instructions are included for reference only. It takes very little polyurethane glue to make a strong joint. After the surfaces to be glued have been smoothed, take a damp (not wet) cloth and lighted dampen one of the surfaces being glued. Next spread a very small amount of the polyurethane glue on the other surface. A good way to spread the glue is to use an old credit card and holding one of the long ends hold light pressure on the card as you drag it across the glue to create a thin sheen of glue on the surface. Mate the two pieces together and apply pressure in accordance with the manufacture's recommendation - usually 2 to 4 hours.
Because these glues expand it is very important that the surface you are building on be non-porous. Otherwise, the glue from the joint may expand into the surface underneath and you will find your structure glued to the work surface. I have had the glue grip onto a plastic laminate surface I was working on and tear off a piece of the laminate when I picked up the structure. Taping a piece of wide clear shipping tape to the surface under the joint prevents this from happening.
These instructions are from my experience using Gorilla glue. As I browed websites looking for information on glues I noticed that some manufacturer's have a polyurethane glue that may not require moistening of one surface.
Contact cement includes glues such as DAP Weldwood. Used in the construction industry for joining plastic laminate to counter tops.
The information provided is general. Always refer to the use, safety and cleanup instructions included with the glue.
Model cement is sold by many suppliers but the most commonly known is Testor's Wood Cement. Note that Testor's and other manufacturer's sell many different types of model cement - some intended for use with plastic and some intended for use with wood. Read the labels before purchasing.
The information provided is general. Always refer to the use, safety and cleanup instructions included with the glue.
Use in a well ventilated area away from open flames and sparks. The tips of model cement are generally small enough to control the amount dispensed. However, you may find it easier to dispense a small amount on a piece of wax paper and then use a toothpick to apply the glue. Apply a small amount of glue to each surface to be glued. Allow to dry for a few seconds, press together and allow twelve hours for full bonding of wood. Pictures on the Aliphatic Glue page illustrate this technique.