Thread: Gluing Tallow wood

"Tis indeed difficult to glue!!

Try Nightingale chemicals. They can supposedly supply glues for all sorts of difficult jobs.

..... and.... best of luck!!!!

Thanks for the link to Nightingale - they have an impressive list, but I'm not sure whether polyurethane or epoxy would be best. I might give them ring.

I've found Titebond II or III quite ok. Wipe the joints with Acetone first to get rid of any surface greasiness from the timber.

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

I've found Titebond II or III quite ok. Wipe the joints with Acetone first to get rid of any surface greasiness from the timber.

Titebond III is the the preferable one. As FF said acetone is your friend in this situation.

Originally Posted by The Bleeder

Titebond III is the the preferable one.

I think it's always preferable. Don't seem to use II at all these days, and can't think why I would (unless there's a big price difference). Perhaps II has more open time.

Go the acetone. For any time you want to be sure of a clean surface to glue up. Use all the time on high stress joints.
Regards
John

Thanks everyone. I have Titebond III so will get some acetone and do a test.

I've only glued tallow once. It was for gunwales for a rowboat, approximately 20x20 mm. Each gunwale had one scarf joint to make the required length. After reading and listening to all available opinions, including several which predicted disaster, I went ahead.

I cut the scarfs at 16:1 instead of the usual 8:1, to give extra gluing area. These were done with sharp hand plane and were very accurate. After that, I scuffed them very lightly with some sandpaper (can't remember what grit, but probably around 80 or 120) being careful to keep the gluing surfaces dead flat. I then washed the gluing surfaces down with a generous amount of acetone and a rag. As soon as the surfaces were dry, I glued the scarfs up with Megapoxy 69.

It seemed to work. I had the boat for several years, and it was stored outside. Last time I saw it the scarfs were still fine.

YMMV. No warranty provided. Best of luck.