Last Updated on February 25, 2022
Whether renovating your home, doing DIY projects, or performing woodwork, you will want the best wood glue to form a strong bond. You will also need an adhesive that’s highly waterproof and super resistant to solvents. But with several brands available on the market, it can be quite tricky to pick the right glue.
Contents
Best Wood Glue Review: Key Features, Pros, and Cons
Are you looking for the best wood glue for furniture or any other wood project? In this guide, we’ve reviewed some of the best wood glue options. You’ll also learn the factors to consider when buying wood glue to help you make informed decisions.
This table summarizes the features of all the products we’ll review in this guide.
| Image | Name | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
BEST OVERALL   | Gorilla Wood Glue | Application: Interior/Exterior Size: 8oz. Color: Natural wood (dry) | See Price |
PREMIUM PICK   | Titebond H6838 - III Ultimate Wood Glue | Application: Interior/Exterior Size: 16oz. Color: Tan | See Price |
BEST VALUE   | Elmer's E7010 Carpenter's Wood Glue | Application: Interior Size: 8oz. Color: Tan | See Price |
  | Titebond 5004 II Premium Wood Glue | Application: Interior/Exterior Size: 16oz. Color: Honey Cream | See Price |
  | Franklin International 6123 Titebond Trans Glue | Application: Interior Size: 8fl.oz. Color: Translucent | See Price |
  | J-B Weld 8251 WoodWeld Wood Epoxy | Application: Interior/Exterior Size: 2oz. Color: Light Tan | See Price |
  | Titebond 5064 Original Wood Glue | Application: Interior Size: 16oz. Color: Yellow | See Price |
1. Gorilla Wood Glue
If you are looking for a wood glue best suited for indoor and outdoor use, Gorilla Wood Glue should be your pick. As the best wood glue, it is designed to form strong bonds within the shortest time possible. Gorilla Wood Glue can clamp in less than 30 minutes and get cured in less than 24 hours.
Many professional woodworkers love using this glue because it’s ideal for many wood types, including natural wood composites. You can rely on Gorilla Wood Glue for quick projects that require high-performance adhesiveness. Notably, its adhesive bonds can penetrate wood two inches deep.
Highlighted Features:
- Highly versatile
- PVA, water-based wood glue
- ANSI/HPVA Type II water resistance
- Works best at 55 degrees Fahrenheit
Pros:
- PVA, water-based wood glue that provides strong bonding quality.
- Safe for indirect food contact.
- Suitable for woods like softwoods, hardwoods, and natural wood composites.
- Easy to clean with water, making it the best choice for many homeowners.
- Fast-drying: Can clamp within 20 to 30 minutes, based on applications.
- Water-resistant, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications.
- Super-strong due to its cross-linking bond formula.
Cons:
- Not suitable for large-scale applications such as house renovation.
- Not ideal for use as a wood filler.
2. Titebond H6838 – III Ultimate Wood Glue
When it comes to bond quality and tensile strength, the Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue takes the lead. With an application time of approximately 10 minutes, the glue will give you enough time to spread it. Not to mention, Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue is highly resistant to water. That makes it suitable for indoor and outdoor applications.
While the glue is water-resistant, you can easily clean it up with water before it gets dried and cured. You can also sand the glue without it losing strength or degrading. Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue is heat-resistant and definitely one of the strongest wood glue you can find.
Highlighted Features:
- Low application temperature
- Portrays ANSI/HPVA Type I water-resistance
- Ideal for interior and exterior applications
- Safe for indirect food contact
- Resistant to mildew and solvents
Pros:
- It’s best for projects that need quick fixing.
- Due to its fast-drying feature, it can get fully baked within a few minutes.
- Waterproof and highly resistant to water and moisture.
- It’s ideal for a vast range of softwood and hardwood surfaces.
- Suitable for both interior and exterior applications, making it highly versatile.
- Safe for indirect food contact as you can apply it on cookware.
- Non-toxic and solvent-free, making it safe for human use.
Cons:
- Not suitable for application as a wood filler.
- Very thick at lower temperatures, reducing its effectiveness.
3. Elmer’s E7010 Carpenter’s Wood Glue
Are you looking for multipurpose and non-toxic wood glue for your woodwork project? If so, consider purchasing Elmer’s E7010 Carpenter’s Wood Glue, Interior, which is the number one choice for professional woodworkers. Use it for simple carpentry projects and simple furniture projects around the house. You can rely on it to bond stronger than wood.
This product makes the list for the best wood glue for offering superior strength, making it suitable for projects that require strong bonding that lasts. Even when your building materials start to deteriorate, the wood glue will remain intact. The best part of it is that the Elmer’s E7010 Carpenter’s Wood Glue is quick-drying. It is also made to resist mold, mildew, and heat makes it an indispensable product for many woodworkers.
Highlighted Features:
- Highly versatile
- Nontoxic, no harmful fumes
- Clamps within 20 to 30 minutes
- Easy to clean up with water
Pros:
- Suitable for large-scale wood flooring applications.
- Strong and flexible bonds create high tensile strength.
- Fast drying time, it clamps within 30 minutes and cured in 24 hours.
- Ergonomic design permits easier application in tight spaces.
- It works perfectly on a wide variety of hardwood and softwood surfaces.
Cons:
- This wood glue is not ideal for outdoor applications.
- Quite runny when the temperatures are high, reducing its effectiveness.
4. Titebond 5004 II Premium Wood Glue
Titebond II Premium Wood Glue has all the features you would want from the best wood glue. It was the first PVA (polyvinyl acetate) wood glue to pass the ANSI Type 2 water-resistance requirement. That makes it the best wood glue for outdoor woodworking projects.
You can use the wood glue to construct outdoor furniture, picnic tables, and a wooden mailbox. It’s also non-toxic and, thus, safe for indirect contact with food. Like other wood glues, you can use Titebond II Premium Wood Glue on many wood types. This brand is also applicable in temperatures above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Highlighted Features:
- Ready-to-use formula
- Shelf life of up to 12 months
- ANSI Type 2 water-resistant
- Safe for indirect food contact
- No harmful fumes, making the glue non-toxic
Pros:
- Faster drying time, making the wood glue ideal for quick projects.
- Convenient and easy to apply as it doesn’t require any mixing before use.
- It works effectively on hardwoods, softwoods, and medium woods.
- Multi-purpose adhesive, making it ideal for projects that require strong bonds.
- Sandable and paintable, fostering your woodworking creativity for several applications.
Cons:
- Not suitable for underwater applications.
- Not ideal for low-temperature applications.
5. Franklin International 6123 Titebond Trans Glue
Notably, Franklin International 6123 Titebond Trans Glue is the best wood glue for furniture. The glue works best for porous materials like particleboard and wood.
As the best wood glue for furniture, the Franklin International 6123 Titebond Trans Glue is designed for indoor applications. The glue can bond faster and strongly on any surface and even last for many years. Not to mention, it dries up translucent. That’s why it won’t ruin your furniture’s finish and will not require additional work to hide from sight.
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Highlighted Features:
- Translucent Wood Glue
- Excellent heat resistance
- Fast set and strong bonding
- Sets faster than most white glues
- Virtually invisible glue lines
Pros:
- Glue’s formula is engineered for porous materials like wood and particleboard.
- It works best at the recommended application temperature of 50°F or above.
- It provides an estimated assembly time of 10-15 minutes at 70°F, 50% humidity.
- Suitable for simple woodwork repairs like broken furniture.
- Easy to clean using a wet cloth before drying.
Cons:
- It’s designed for interior applications, thus unsuitable for outdoor use.
- It doesn’t perform best in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit
6. J-B Weld 8251 WoodWeld Wood Epoxy
J-B Weld WoodWeld Wood Epoxy is a heavy-duty adhesive that features a two-part epoxy system formulated for wood bonding and repairs. When mixed in the ratio of 1:1, it takes 6 minutes to set and 3 hours to cure. Despite the extra step, the upside is that clamping is not necessary because of the short set time.
It’s the best wood glue for repairing household items that require permanent and robust bonding. It has 1800 PSI tensile strength, which you can rely on for utmost performance. This also makes it well-suited for both indoor and outdoor applications, such as wood repairs.
The wood glue guarantees a long-lasting and permanent bond that’s stronger than any wood type. Whether you’re having a big wood restoration task or a small DIY project, J-B Weld WoodWeld Wood Epoxy can fulfill all your woodwork needs. Generally, it’s the best wood glue for furniture.
Highlighted Features:
- Mixing ratio of 1:1
- Tensile strength of 1800 PSI
- 6 to 8 minutes set time
- Ideal for interior and exterior uses
Pros:
- It can be tapped, painted, filled, molded, sanded, and drilled.
- High tensile strength, allowing it for use as a filler or structural adhesive.
- Highly versatile as it can bond on many types of wood, including hardwoods.
- Provides permanent and long-lasting bonds stronger than any wood type.
- It doesn’t shrink, foam, or expand.
Cons:
- It hardens very fast, making it unsuitable for slow woodworking projects.
- Not so easy to work with as it requires mixing before usage.
- Some may find the two-part epoxy system a tedious process.
7. Titebond 5064 Original Wood Glue, 16 Ounces
If you love doing woodwork and now looking for the best wood glue for your project, consider investing in the Titebond 5064 Original Wood Glue. It offers a stronger initial tack and fast-speed set that reduces clamp time. The wood glue can also develop bonds stronger than wood and also provide excellent properties for sanding.
Formula is highly resistant to heat, solvents, and mildew. Additionally, it cleans up easily with water if necessary before left to cure and dry.
With Titebond Original 5064 Original Wood Glue, you’ll achieve professional-looking results. Besides applying the glue on wood, you can use it on hardboards, leather, particleboards, cloth, and any other porous material. The good news is, it’s non-toxic, easy to use, and cleans up with water before drying.
Highlighted Features:
- Bonds stronger than wood
- Shortens clamp time (fast set)
- Not affected by finishes
- Resistant to solvents
- Withstands sanding well
Pros:
- It has super bonding strength, making it ideal for a vast range of applications.
- Curing time takes relatively shorter periods, making it ideal for quick bonding projects.
- Quick-drying time.
- This glue does not emit toxic or harmful chemical fumes.
- Works best on hardwoods, softwoods, and other porous materials.
Cons:
- Not ideal for exterior applications, reducing its effectiveness under moisture.
- Unsuitable for projects that require longer setting time.
Best Wood Glue 2021: Buying Guide
Different types of wood and applications require a specific type of wood glue, so you will not use any wood glue for any woodwork project. You need the best wood glue that can offer a long-lasting bond. There are many factors to consider to find the best wood glue for your woodwork project.
Here are the factors that will help you make informed decisions.
Specific Application
Are you searching for the best wood glue for furniture, home renovation, or woodcraft projects? Knowing what to do with the wood glue before making any purchase is more vital than any other factor. While most wood glues will be ideal for various applications, not all wood epoxies will be fine for all uses, so be careful about this when selecting.
Materials to Clamp
Another factor to consider before choosing the best wood glue for your project is the materials you’ll bond to wood. Are you planning to glue wood to wood or wood to other materials like metal? Are the materials porous or not? For example, the best glue for wood to metal should bond with many materials and various surfaces.
Resistance to Moisture
Whether you’re searching for the best glue for wood to wood or wood to metal, confirm if the adhesive you are yet to purchase is waterproof or water-resistant. Any wood glue that’s not waterproof will lose its bond strength when it touches water. If you plan to bond water-prone surfaces or joints, consider a water-resistant wood glue.
Outdoor or Indoor Application
Is your woodwork project indoors or outdoors? If you want the best exterior wood glue for an outdoor project, you must ensure that it’s 100 percent waterproof. It should also be resistant to mold, mildew, and high temperatures. The best wood glue for outdoor use should be stronger and more durable than wood glue for indoor application.
Setting and Curing Time
How fast you want a wood glue to set and cure depends on the project in question. If you’re working on a large-scale wood project, you’ll need the best wood glue with a longer set time. Such an adhesive will give you enough time to work before drying. You can rely on fast-drying and fast-curing wood glues for smaller projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there things that I can do to make wood glue work more effectively?
Drying and sanding a surface helps glues to work effectively. However, you should sand the surface lightly because most wood glues will not perform well on very smooth surfaces. They bond better and work best on slightly rough and porous surfaces.
Is PVA the same as wood glue?
A Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA) wood glue refers to adhesives that use this material. PVA is often used for paper or wood gluing. Wood glue products made of PVA are characterized to have tight bonding strength that happens very quickly.
Many wood glue products are now made with other materials, such as polyurethane which may render it a foamy finish.
How long should wood glue be left to dry?
The time wood glue takes to dry completely will depend on its type and underlying conditions like humidity and temperature. Most glue types will dry and cure entirely within 24 hours, so you should leave the wood clamped together for 24 hours.
Conclusion
Selecting the best wood glue for your wood project can be a daunting task. But with this comprehensive review of the best wood glue adhesives, you can quickly select an option that perfectly fits your woodwork project. All you should do is research more about the products to make informed decisions before placing an order.
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