Thread: “New” Titebond 3 bought online was manufactured 10 months ago

My Titebond is usually well past its useby date. If it's not gluggy I wouldn't worry about it.

It's fine now. But I guess it's more that in a year or so, if it's only half empty and it goes bad, then I lose half a bottle.

Is it freezing that really stuffs the glue? Or does heat also do it?

I am what would be called a sporadic user and tend to buy the 4 litre bottles.

The current TB3 that I am using is ~6 years old. But I store it in a coolish place in my shed.

Don't worry; those use by dates are so conservative as to be almost meaningless.

I have 10 year old PVA and 20 year old epoxy - both still work fine.

Nevertheless, when shopping I do check dates! Especially with the super-discounters, but even with Carbatec and Bunnings.

Ok I'll report back in 14 or so months and let you all know how it went

Franklin's data for TBIII states "Storage life 12 months in tightly closed containers" and recommends storage under 75F.

The issues with out of date glues is no so much about if they will set (cure) it's about maintaining the design strength and to perform adequately with open time, long term strength etc.

I would not be happy about being supplied with TBIII stock manufactured 10 months ago.

I get a chuckle with claims that people would complain about glues manufactured 10 months ago, not taking into context that yes it was made 10 months ago. Then it sat in that warehouse for a month then did a 9 week transit to get to Australia where it sat in another warehouse for a month before going to the shop where it may have sat for a month before being sold.
Then it sits in a shed that varies from 5 degrees to 35 degrees not climate controlled at all.
Most products are all good when manufactured as they are generally vacuum sealed it is when the user gets them that things start to deteriorate because of lack of sealing properly and putting on the top shelf where it is the hottest in the shed. Then complains that they did not get the full 2 years out of the glue.

Originally Posted by Jim Carroll

... was made 10 months ago. Then it sat in that warehouse for a month then did a 9 week transit to get to Australia where it sat in another warehouse for a month before going to the shop where it may have sat for a month before being sold.
...

Jim, you forgot the bit about it being shipped across the equator in a heat absorbing steel container in the top row ofn a slow moving box ship.

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

Jim, you forgot the bit about it being shipped across the equator in a heat absorbing steel container in the top row ofn a slow moving box ship.

Greame

I "think" the preferred shipping route from the US to Australia is West Coast of North America - Korea (or China) - Singapore - then the east coast port of Australia closest to Carbatech's warehouse.
essentially the reverse of the route my household goods travelled from Sydney to Canada. From memory the shipment time (Sydney to Canada) was around 4 months.

So 10 months -- manufacture to sale -- seems reasonable to me.

We're not talking coffee beans here that go stale after a month of being roasted.

You'll be fine, I've had tb3 sit in an uninsulated shed for years and they still pour fine. Once they get gluggy it's time to discard. Think the last time I did that the bottle was at least 5 years old and was repeated had the cap off it overnight due to late night glueups. So buy what you need for a project and don't be tempted to buy the gallon jugs if you're not going to be using it within a reasonable time frame.

Originally Posted by Jim Carroll

I get a chuckle with claims that people would complain about glues manufactured 10 months ago, not taking into context that yes it was made 10 months ago. Then it sat in that warehouse for a month then did a 9 week transit to get to Australia where it sat in another warehouse for a month before going to the shop where it may have sat for a month before being sold.
Then it sits in a shed that varies from 5 degrees to 35 degrees not climate controlled at all.
Most products are all good when manufactured as they are generally vacuum sealed it is when the user gets them that things start to deteriorate because of lack of sealing properly and putting on the top shelf where it is the hottest in the shed. Then complains that they did not get the full 2 years out of the glue.

Chuckle away, fact is Franklin still recommend "Storage life 12 months in tightly closed containers."

Sure the shipping logistics are not very favourable for Aussie consumers of US made glue, fact of life get used to it.

That's why I prefer to purchase my glue from suppliers with high turnover and where I can physically inspect the packaging. Also why I decant on opening the original sealed packaging into a range of 100,250, 500ml and 1lt (well 973ml) bottles. I do the same with lacquer.

You can always make up a fresh batch of hide glue using a double boiler if you’re worried about it. That’s what I do. Just like shellac, best to make your own fresh from flakes.
cheers Swifty