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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Thousandstar on November 06, 2012, 10:08:00 AM

Title: Best glue for a beginner?
Post by: Thousandstar on November 06, 2012, 10:08:00 AM
Hello all
I'm looking for the best glue for a beginning Bowyer. I'm planning on making wood/bamboo laminated ELB's and American flat long bows. What glue would you recommend that wouldn't break the bank.
I'm currently thinking about:
Titebond III
Gorilla Glue
Wood Wield

My first bow was glued using Gorilla glue and I've had good results so far, but I'm wondering if there is a better option.
Title: Re: Best glue for a beginner?
Post by: Pat B on November 06, 2012, 11:10:00 AM
I would not use Gorilla glue.
I think TBIII would be the easiest to work with and easiest to clean up. Just be sure your mating surfaces are well matched and smooth.
 If you have a hot box of at least a heated work area the Weldwood Plastic Resin is an excellent glue also.
Title: Re: Best glue for a beginner?
Post by: macbow on November 06, 2012, 08:22:00 PM
As Pat said TB 111 it is not good for filling gaps which can be a problem.

The easiest I find,is Urac 185. Very good at gap filling and doesn't need a hot box.
Just needs to,be warm, I use a light bulb and sleeping bag when it is cold out.

The problem right now is the manufacturer is shutting down.
Mike at Nocking Point still has some. It is cheap and works well.
The distributer says they are working on another supplier.

If it goes away I will try to find Weld wood resorsanal glue.
Title: Re: Best glue for a beginner?
Post by: Thousandstar on November 06, 2012, 08:41:00 PM
Is the Weldwood plastic resin glue the same as Weldwood Resorcinol Glue?
Title: Re: Best glue for a beginner?
Post by: psychmonky on November 07, 2012, 07:44:00 AM
I dont know if its the same or not. Just google weldwood plastic resin and you get about a million links. From what I hear, its the bee's knees for wood/wood applications. And at <$10 a pound its cheap!
Title: Re: Best glue for a beginner?
Post by: Pat B on November 07, 2012, 10:37:00 AM
No they are not the same. Weldwood Plastic Resin is a urea glue that is very similar to Urac 185.
Title: Re: Best glue for a beginner?
Post by: Thousandstar on November 08, 2012, 10:32:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Pat B:
No they are not the same. Weldwood Plastic Resin is a urea glue that is very similar to Urac 185.
Has anyone tried it for bow making?
Title: Re: Best glue for a beginner?
Post by: macbow on November 08, 2012, 02:28:00 PM
There was someone, maybe Eric K who said it looked like it was doing well.
I looked for some locally and wasn't successful. Coarse I'm out in the middle of nowhere.
I plan to keep using the Urac 185 till it is gone or replaced.
It cost about $13 and will do about 8 to 10 medium sized R/D glue ups.
Title: Re: Best glue for a beginner?
Post by: Pat B on November 08, 2012, 10:32:00 PM
I've used thev Weldwood Plastic Resin on a few backed bows and never had a failure. I used it with hickory and boo backings and on osage, hickory and ipe bellies.
Title: Re: Best glue for a beginner?
Post by: Thousandstar on November 09, 2012, 04:30:00 PM
I broke down and bought some Unibond 800. This is the URAC 185 replacement product. We'll see how it goes...
Title: Re: Best glue for a beginner?
Post by: macbow on November 09, 2012, 06:15:00 PM
Give us a report when finished.
Title: Re: Best glue for a beginner?
Post by: Roy from Pa on November 09, 2012, 06:21:00 PM
How do you know Unibond 800 is the urac replacement? Just curious about that.
Title: Re: Best glue for a beginner?
Post by: Thousandstar on November 10, 2012, 03:02:00 PM
I make bamboo fly rods and I'm a member of Clarks Classic Rod forum. There's been a lot of discussion on the topic.
Title: Re: Best glue for a beginner?
Post by: Roy from Pa on November 10, 2012, 05:23:00 PM
Well I see it's made by Nelson Paint Company.. Let us know how it works out for you.

  http://www.nelsonpaint.com/urac-185.html
Title: Re: Best glue for a beginner?
Post by: Roy from Pa on November 14, 2012, 10:50:00 PM
Dennis, you try the Unibond 800 yet on a bow?
Title: Re: Best glue for a beginner?
Post by: AkDan on November 22, 2012, 04:07:00 AM
Thousand...I'm also doing boo rods (morgan handmill), keep me posted on the unibond.
Title: Re: Best glue for a beginner?
Post by: nitwit on November 24, 2012, 12:02:00 PM
I also make bamboo fly rods and just finished the last of my URAC.