No clamps, no problem
No clamps? Don’t worry, we’ll show you how to glue wood without clamps in just a few simple steps. Read on for our tips and discover the best glues to use for wood-working projects.
How to glue wood without clamps step by step
To glue two pieces of wood, you often need to keep them pressed together for at least 10 minutes – sometimes longer, depending on the adhesive you use. For this reason, clamps can come in handy.
But what if you don’t have clamps?
That’s not a problem: super glue is a quick, easy alternative that, unlike wood glue, sets incredibly quickly. As you will see, a couple of drops of super glue will do the job, saving you time and effort.
Wood glue and super glue together is your power duo for woodworking
Here’s how to glue wood without clamps the easy way.
- Apply a small amount of wood glue to the wooden surface. Dispense small blobs or lines of adhesive, leaving gaps in-between. Make sure there’s space – don’t create a solid line of wood glue.
- Apply a couple of small drops of super glue. Dispense the super glue in the gaps, in-between the wood glue.
- Press the wooden surfaces together. Hold them in place firmly for 15-30 seconds to give the super glue time to dry.
- Set the wood aside while the wood glue dries and cures. The wood glue will take at least 10 minutes to dry and 24 hours to fully cure. Leaving the project to dry overnight before working further with the wood gives the glue time to reach maximum strength. Check manufacturer’s instructions for precise information. While you wait, there’s no need to apply pressure to the wood – the super glue will hold the surfaces firmly together just as clamps would.
There are other alternatives to clamps, including masking tape and rope, but super glue is by far the most convenient. Try it next time!
The best glues for gluing wood without clamps
Now you know how to glue wood without clamps – a handy DIY trick to have up your sleeve! But which adhesives should you use for the project? You need both a wood glue and a super glue.
When you’re gluing wood to other wooden surfaces, you should use a specially formulated glue like Loctite Express Wood Glue. It’s formulated to provide strong, lasting bonds and dries in just 10 minutes. It’s ideal for small-scale carpentry projects and repair jobs. What’s more, using Loctite Express Wood Glue is very easy. Simply ensure that the wood is clean and dry, and then follow the steps outlined above.
Super glue is strong and versatile, but it shouldn’t be used as the sole adhesive for bonding wood. However, as mentioned above, super glue is a great substitute for clamps when it comes to quick bonding.
Using a rope or a strap can also be an alternative to clamps to hold wood in position – for a perfect result
Any Loctite super glue will do the job. Try Loctite Super Glue Liquid Brush On, which creates strong bonds fast. The brush applicator makes it easy to apply, particularly on larger surfaces, and this premium formula with a patented additive sets in just 15-30 seconds.
After using Loctite super glue for your wood project, keep it on hand for future jobs. It’s an amazingly versatile adhesive you can use for crafts, DIY projects, and repairs. Super glue is also compatible with a wide range of materials, including metal, ceramic, leather, and most plastics.