Gluing Yellow Sirius

[Paul NQ]

Could anyone please advise on a glue (or glues) that would be suitable for joining rungs to the legs of a chair made from Yellow Sirius ( may also be known as Mackay Cedar – apparently the Mackay area only grows smaller trees, in comparison to the larger trees in North Queensland – Bloomfield is where the original tree was sourced)?

I have been advised by the owner of the furniture that the timber is “greasy” and therefore, what ever glue was originally used, didn’t hold well. As the owner is a old (94 years) timberman, I am inclined to accept his description.
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The rungs are approximately 1” x ½” and only recessed into the legs about ½”<o></o>

The gentleman is suggesting gluing and then fixing with a brass or stainless steel screw. I would prefer to not use screws as it would ruin th e appearance of the furniture. I have even considered dowelling through the rungs, but again think it might affect the look.

[SAISAY]

What a thought :-
I kept on reading it as yellow SINUS :D
I know I am losing my sight but this was mind buggling.
Wolffie

[IanW]

Paul - these are the sorts of jobs I avoid as much as posible. It's hard enough getting any glue to 'take' over old glue (except hide glue), & cleaning up the tenon & socket will only loosen the joint more, ensuring that failure will occur even sooner than first time round. Having a wood that resists glueing for whatever reason just compounds the other problems!

You need to ask yourself why the joints failed in the first place. If it's a 'Windsor' style chair, the 'rungs' should be in compression (i.e. 'stretchers'), & don't even need glue. On 'joined' chairs the rails will be in tension for some of the time, at least, in which case a 1/2" of dowel tenon is not really adequate. I agree using metal fasteners will not be very aesthetic & they will probably also fail quite quickly. There may be no good solution to the problem other than remaking longer rails with better tenons. If the wood is 'greasy' using a solvent like acetone or white spirits sometimes helps (don't use highly flammable solvents while tending the barbie !) - try a couple of different types of glue if you have any scraps of the same wood....

Cheers & good luck
(from a chairmaker who has learnt a few lessons the hard way.....)

[pal]

Hi Paul ,
Try this site http://www.proserpinewoodturners.com/The Big Bowl.html they used Weldbond Professional.

regards pal

[Sprancis]

Hello Paul I do a lot of work with Mackay Cedar but I know it as red sirius.
I use a two part epoxy called Techniglue have not had a failure.It is available from Carbatec or Lincoln Sentry who have branches in most cities.
Regards Robert

[AlexS]

Hello Paul I do a lot of work with Mackay Cedar but I know it as red sirius.
I use a two part epoxy called Techniglue have not had a failure.It is available from Carbatec or Lincoln Sentry who have branches in most cities.
Regards Robert
I use techniglue a lot and it's a good glue, but I've had it fail with casuarina even after cleaning with solvent, so I'd try something else. Hide glue would be my preference, but not really sure.

[Paul NQ]

Thanks to all who have contributed. (and any one who might yet add to my very limited knowledge on glues)

I have also tried other avenues and been refered to a scientist at the CSIRO who is the foremost expert in the area of glues. If I get any reply, I will post it here for others reference.

Paul

[Hickory]

I am not common to your species but there are several different woods that are oily and difficult to glue. With them it is common practice to clean the mating pieces with Acetone to clear the oils from the surface and then use either a Polyurethane glue or an Epoxy. These will adhere to most any surface and make a strong bond.