Temperature for gluing. Too cold?

[jcrenick]

Despite being unseasonably warm I feel it is getting too cool to glue up my latest project but thought I would ask the experts. Here in Virginia the nights have been getting down in the low 30s. My shop is unheated and probably drops into the upper 30s at night, 40s or maybe even 50 in the day.

How bad is it if I assemble and glue in the evenings? Does it just take longer to dry or will I actually risk the strength of the joints? Should I just wait and do all of my gluing on the weekends during the day to provide more time at a better temperature? I usually use yellow glue.

[lcm1947]

A good question and I'm anxious to see the replies as well.

[wardprobst]

From the TiteBond site:
Chalk Temperature
When glue dries, the loss of water pulls the adhesive particles together with
enough force to form a continuous film. If the drying temperature is below a
critical point, water evaporation is not sufficient to pull the particles together,
leaving them in the joint. The dried film in the joint will appear whiter than
normal. This is known as "chalking" and the critical temperature is the "chalk
temperature." When chalking occurs, the glued joint loses strength and could
result in a failed bond.

TiteBond Aliphatic Resin ("yellow glue") chalks at 50 degrees Farenheit as does Thixotropic PVA ("trim & molding glue"). TiteBond III Ultimate ("Proprietary Polymer") goes 47 degrees F, while Crosslinking PVA (TiteBond II Ultimate) chalks at 55F. Liquid Hide and Polyurethanes don't chalk but I wouldn't use them at low temps either.

Couple of options- most common carpenter type glues set in a couple of hours so glue during the day as you suggest or warm the item you are gluing until the glue sets. I've done this with a lamp bulb for smaller items and space heaters for larger ones. Finally have a climate controlled area for glue ups thank goodness!

Hope this helps,
DP

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I usually do all my winter glue ups and finishing in a sunroom I built on my home a few years ago. Glue application and flow is better in heated areas. Strength is impacted per others post.
Sounds like you should find a make shift room for glue up and finishing. Decent size bathrooms work well.

[drumpriest]

Plastic resin glue needs to be about 75 degrees, and obviously titebond isn't as particular. One thing that's been suggested is that you throw an electric blanket over the thing while the glue dries.

[LCHIEN]

Chemistry is not my strong point, thanks for the answers, good info to know. How about PU glues like Gorilla Glue? or is that the plastic Resin that Keith mentioned needs 75° minimum?

[big tim]

Gorilla glue works best between 68 to 130, but can be used to as low as 40 degrees F.

Tim

[eezlock]

glue up temps....

I would be skeptical about any glue ups below 45-50 degrees temp.
If you have to do it to finish a project or job, trying warming area for a while as much as you can with a portable electric or propane heater,also
you could in a pinch situation use a small electric hotplate (set on low)
put a pan of water put your glue bottle in the water and let it slowly warm
to a good working temp. Everything should be good to go after that.
Might even try this...use an old baby bottle warmer, and a glue bottle that will fit into it
would work....these just get warm...but not too hot. eezlock

[SARGE..g-47]

As eezlock, I prefer an even more cautious not below 60 degrees. I have done them under 60 degrees in the early years (70's) with a few failures before a more spacious heated shop made life simple.

In your situation, unless you are under dead-line I would just wait till the week-end and do it in the daytime when the sun will raise the shop temperature.

Just a note to everyone.. Two essentials in my shops are a thermometer hanging on the wall near the asssembly table and a moisture meter. Those two have not let me down on a glue-up in last 15 years or so since I put them on the pay-roll! Simple details make a difference IMO.. Simple... but very efficient.

Regards...

[Ed62]

This is an informative thread. Thanks to you folks, I'm learning a little each day.

Sarge, that's a good tip! Thanks.

Ed

[drumpriest]

Loring, the 75 degree temp is for plastic resin glue. It's pretty picky. It dries VERY rigid though, and is great for bent wood projects and because it has a full 30 minute open time.

[jseklund]

Good question- about a month too late for me, but great anyway.

I work in my unheated garage. About a month ago it was in the 30-50 range outside, mostly in the 40s. My garage seemed a bit warmer than that, but not much. I was gluing up out there, but then bringing it into my basement which is probably about 60 degrees. Well, I glued up two strips and forgot to take them in. Came back- and about 75-80% of the joint had glued up fine. At the ends though, the wood was not joined at all. Obviously the only solution is to cut the boards apart and redo. It would have been better if the glue didn't stick at all- but it does. A couple other pieces glued up fine in the same temperatures.

So, from experience, it is hit or miss if you are below 50 degrees with Titebond III. You may get away with it- but if you don't it's a problem because you may have to redo. You are better off bringing it inside and doing it right the first time.