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Technical Question; I've seen it both ways on woodworking shows. When gluing two pieces together, should you apply glue to both pieces, or is one enought?
Thanks
Jim
It's typically best to apply it to both pieces. A thin layer will do.I've talked with the people at Elmer's and it's suggested that way. However I can say there have been times when I've only been able to apply it to one side and it still holds.
chad stanton
Chad Stanton
A thin layer on both pieces normally works out great. Be careful not to use to much though. Only a small amount on each piece is needed.
Chris Mobley
www.cmobleydesigns.com
I just posted kind of the same question but do you have to have a routed edge like a T&G or can you actually glue just flat edges and it be strong without a routed edge or buiscut??
Your best gluing surfaces are face grain and edge grain. End grain (such as a butt joint) is not suffciently strong enough because the end grain absorbes too much of the glue. If you have to use a butt joint, coat the end grain with glue, let it start to set up and then apply a second coat. Now attach your two pieces together.
However a half lap, bridle joint, or mortise and tenon are better jonts because you are using the face and edge grain of the wood to glue up.
Keep in mind a mortise and tenon, (especially a haunched mortise and tenon) are stronger because it can resist racking pressure more than a half lap or bridle joint.
Hi Jim, I have been a woodworker and professional furniture maker for well over 35 years.
I have found when edge gluing you can be a little more lax in your glue ups. I if in a hurry will apply plenty of glue to one part and then rub the 2 parts together before clamping. With that said I do prefer to use a glue joint when edge gluing for 2 reasons. First to get more surface area for glue but more importantly to line up panels for next to perfect glue joints. You should also know that using a glue joint does show the glue joint profile more than just a well prepared flat joint.
When gluing butt ends i like to either use a finger joint or a reversed miter glue joint that I know of no one else doing.
Have fun with it,
Todd