Glue story: Gorilla Glue

[kirtsjc]

Saw this in my local paper about Gorilla Glue and it's claim to be the toughest glue...


http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061212/BIZ01/612120327/-1/all

Gee, their polyureestuffie ain't the best after all...

[Scooter]

I bought a bottle once just to try it out and found nothing special about it for my purposes. Probably great for some applications, I just haven't found any, plus it's overpriced, IMO.

[SkipperSue]

I bought a bottle of Gorilla Glue but I haven't even used it yet, the Titebond III is very strong to me.

[halfdome, Danny]

Elmer's glue is just flexing it's corporate muscles to bad mouth a product that they seem to have copied. I don't think Elmer's is the most trusted product line as they state. I won't buy their consumer level stuff, Titebond glues and Gorilla glue & Gorilla duck tape are my choices . Danny

[Roly Nelson]

Good, I am glad someone blew the whistle on Gorilla Glue's undisputed claim. My one shot attempt using their stuff ended up with loose stool legs (not a loose stool) and the bottle getting rock hard after it had been opened. Not so with Titebond II or III. I buy it by the gallon and fill a number of glue birds that I keep at the ready, without any problems.

Roly, (I build with only wood, what else?)

[asianflava]

Elmer's glue is just flexing it's corporate muscles to bad mouth a product that they seem to have copied.

I agree, Wahhh Elmer's are just being cry babies.

[sandman]

Crap, I just bought a bottle of Gorilla Glue for my build. I bought the biggest size they carry too. It seemed to really work well when i was gluing up my floor frame. I have used Titebond too with great results. Hmmmmmmmmmm...

[Changer]

Gorilla glue may or may not be the strongest. I *can* tell you it will hold a 10 year old younger brother (wel, his shirt and jeans, which Mom eventually cut him out of) to a workbench if you can keep him still while it sets.


*whistles innocently*

[halfdome, Danny]

I still think Gorilla Glue is a fine product and will continue to use it even on my next build as it seems to outperform all other types of glue. I've used Elmers polyurethane glue and found that it effects my lungs with a feeling of tightness, check out the warnings on the label. Gorilla Glue doesn't seem to effect my lungs so far. When I glue exotic woods that have oils in them Gorilla Glue is my best choice especially when making segmented pieces for the wood lathe. For my daily wood gluing needs I use Titebond glue. Danny

[reiltear]

Pretty much any quality yellow woodworking glue will produce a joint stronger than the wood you are glueing, with proper surface preparation. They also become water-resistant once dry. I built a couple of "Instant" boats in the late 80's and they held up fine for at least a year with almost daily use. The plywood warped before the glue joints separated...

I used Elmer's polyurethane glue to rebuild my friend's garage door last year and it's holding up so far. Just need to look out for how much you wet the surfaces to activate the glue.

The polyurethene glues have an advantage - you'll look like you were busy for days, if you don't wear gloves :-)!!!

Price versus perfofmance? I'll stick with(pun intended) the Titebond family for what I do.

Happy holidays to all!

Ilya

[Arne]

I, too, buy a gallon and refill... and as long as it is sealed, it lasts a long time, about 2 years.

[Ira]

I didn't use Gorilla Glue at all-- I used the Elmer's with the bull on the bottle for "those" applications.

A product which definitely needs better marketing, because after going through five bottles of the crap, I can't even remember its NAME.

I also used Titebond for other applications, and if I had to build again, I would use Titebond for EVERYTHING.

Think about it--90% of the places you use your glue, you're also using fasteners. 20% of those places are MAYBE structurally important. And for the other 80%, the poly stuff is a MESS to work and not necessary.

And it's still open to debate whether the poly is really any better than Titebond or Elmer's carpenter glue.

And oh:

None of your glue construction in a TD is exposed to the elements at all. It's not under any real stress. And to be redundant, you're usually also using fasteners anyway.

WE HAVE ALL GONE NUTS WITH THIS STUFF!

[mikeschn]

Ira,

It sounds like you built it right!!!

Mike...

[Podunkfla]

I still think Gorilla Glue is a fine product and will continue to use it even on my next build as it seems to outperform all other types of glue. I've used Elmers polyurethane glue and found that it effects my lungs with a feeling of tightness, check out the warnings on the label. Gorilla Glue doesn't seem to effect my lungs so far. When I glue exotic woods that have oils in them Gorilla Glue is my best choice especially when making segmented pieces for the wood lathe. For my daily wood gluing needs I use Titebond glue. Danny

I second that! I've been a Titebond fan as long as I can remember. It's way stronger than any wood anyhoo in a properly fitted joint. I do keep a bottle of Gorilla Glue around just for those odd oily wood jobs and the rare occasion I have to throw something together with damp wood. Even titebond is little more than Elmers with some coloring added... They are both PVA glues (polyvinylacetate). Gorilla Glue is no good for poorly fitting joints; it won't work as a filler with any strength at all. So, for things like regluing chair rungs and such, any of the Titebonds are better. And, if your in a hurry, just use JB Quick epoxy.

[tjdale]

I use Gorilla/poly glues for some things. After opening, squeeze out as much air as you can, put the top on immediately, wrap the bottle in a heavy zip lock bag, and store it in the fridge. You will more then double the shelf life.