Cold temp - can I still glue?

[steve_b]

Kind of a dumb question, but then I'm good at that..
It's getting cold (last night it was 0C) and I work in the garage - my project is getting to the assembly stage, do I wait for warmer temps or can I still glue (bring the room temp glue out from the house) and glue & screw.. Just using Lepages cabinet maker glue.

Thanks

[gsmittle]

Kind of a dumb question, but then I'm good at that..
It's getting cold (last night it was 0C) and I work in the garage - my project is getting to the assembly stage, do I wait for warmer temps or can I still glue (bring the room temp glue out from the house) and glue & screw.. Just using Lepages cabinet maker glue.

Thanks

There is a definite temp below which you should not glue. As I understand it, the temp varies with the glue. There is something called the "chalk temperature" which is a temp where the glue will dry into a chalky, nearly useless material. For Titebond III, it's somewhere around 45° F. I think.

This is free info from my faulty memory, so you get what you pay for it.

g.

[LCHIEN]

somewhere around 50 degrees F you have to worry - check the references below for chalk temperatures.

Titebond product info:
http://www.titebond.com/download/pdf/ww/GlueGuideTB.pdf

titebond help line:
Product Questions
Technical Support
Phone (800)347-4583
Fax (614)445-1295
e-mail Technical Support



this article should also help
http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/titebond.html

Elmers site had no help at all.

[cabinetman]

When you don't have a heated shop and the work must go on there are some remedies. In south Florida, it doesn't get around 50 deg or less too many days a year, especially around lunchtime or later.

What I've done is use space heaters in a confined area to warm up the ambient area. You may have to drape off an area to contain it. Electric blankets work good. I've had to wrap band heater belts around 5 gallon pails of contact cement for brush on, and around 55 gal drums to spray.
.

[Uncle Cracker]

Florida here, too... But I've still had to bring work inside the house for glue-up before. I just use a clean tarp to keep LOML from flying around on her broom. Oh, and make sure you get plenty of ventilation in the work area...

[leehljp]

I do what Cab suggested. It doesn't get as cold here as where you are but we do have temps down to -5°C with occasional daytime highs no more than +2 or 3° C. For times like this, I turn my heater on overnight and shoot for a temp no less than 10 to 12°C (approx 50F) to do some work in my 9 by 12ft. shed.

I take paint, finish, glues and place them some distance (about 5 ft) from the heater (not an open flame) into an open box so that these items are at least around 15°C the next morning. Another idea - and I have done this a few times: I have a hair dryer and leave it on - on medium and aim it at a box about 18 inches to 2 ft with my finishes or glues inside. The next morning they are a little cool but at least not cold. The hair dryer keeps the room temp above the ambient outside temp just enough that a regular heater brings the temp up fast in the AM.

I also turn my heater on over night if I am going to spend a day turning and finishing pens.

You and others may not be comfortable with these, but I am. My heater has cut-off sensors on it for quite a few things including earthquakes, excess heat, carbon dioxide etc. I also test the heat distance for 30 minutes or so before leaving it.

[Mr__Bill]

I just recently read an article about this in a woodworking magazine. I can't remember the name but it was Canada or Canadian something, like Canadian Woodworker. The article covered many kinds of glue and the temp range of use along with which could be used after being frozen. I know this is not much help but you may have the magazine on your local news stand. If I remember whose house I was at I'll give them a call for the info, but I expect that memory will surface long after you need the information.

Edit: Ok, thinking about it I am not even sure the issue was current. Traipsing down to the news stand would be less than productive, kind of like this post.

Bill,
I think we reach a point where any new information randomly pushes something else out.

[headhunter636]

I found this short article while looking around for cold weather glueing. http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_bas...er_Gluing.html

Maybe it will help.

[sweensdv]

Aren't there directions on the glue bottle? There should be a temp. range printed on the label.

[steve_b]

Thank you all..
Adding heaters etc would be a lost cause as my garage isn't insulated - so I will drag everything inside and set it up in the family room in the basement (the previous owners fully finished the basement) glue it up and then take it back outside...

Stephen