What is the Strongest Glue for Wood? | A Wood Glue Guide

One of the most common questions that often come up amongst woodworking hobbyists is “what is the strongest glue for wood?”. There are so many different wood glue options on the market, not to mention different applications, that the answer is not so clear-cut. After doing some research and discussion amongst other woodworking hobbyists, here is what I came up with:

The strongest glue for wood is Polyvinyl Acetate Glue (PVA Glue). PVA is cost-effective, water-resistant, and non-toxic. However, if the glue is exposed to extreme weather, freeze-thaw cycles, sun, and rain then Cyanoacrylate (CA) is a better choice.

In short Titebond II PVA wood glue for the majority of your projects will work great.

However, for long-term outdoor exposure 2p-10 thick or Jel by FastCap works excellent.

To learn more about the strongest glues and which are best suited for your woodworking projects, read on!

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Different Types of Wood Glue

You will find that there are 5 main types of wood glues on the market, these include:

• Cyanoacrylate Glue (CA Glue)
• Epoxy Based Glue
• Polyurethane Glue
• PVA Glue
• Hide Glue

Cyanoacrylate (CA) Wood Glue 

This is regular Super Glue for wood. In some of the tests we have checked online and from the groups and forums I am part of, many have said that Cyanoacrylate is a very strong and fast-drying adhesive. It is known to perform very well when gluing long grain to long grain wood.

You can get this type of glue in thick, medium, and thin varieties. FastCap 2p-10 is considered a CA glue (Jel example on Amazon). Also, your traditional glue everyone calls “super glue” is a CA glue.

It has been found to perform well when gluing oily wood or even gluing wood and metal surfaces together. One of the other reasons it is deemed one of the most popular glue types is also because it can be used inside and outside.  

You can use an inexpensive Cyanoacrylate Wood Glue or Super Glue if you are just gluing small projects or quick fixes.

Epoxy Based Glue

Epoxy-based glues are excellent for outdoor woodworking projects. This type of glue has a few added benefits that other glues simply cannot offer. Epoxy wood glue is a popular choice for hobbyists, as it can be sanded fairly easily once it has dried and it is an excellent choice for filling gaps and cracks.

As a waterproof glue, it can be used in a variety of environments. How quickly epoxy-based wood glue dries depends on the product. Some are quick and dry in seconds while others will take several minutes to dry. In some of our discussions, we have found that West System Epoxy products were a popular choice. The West System 105A listed here on Amazon with 205A harder can also be purchased with different hardeners depending on your project.

NOTE: Some epoxies yellow once dried, so keep this in mind on the project you are working on. The West System 105A with 207 West hardener does not yellow.

A good DIY 5-minute Epoxy-based wood glue is the Devcon epoxy glue. It works great for all kinds of projects, including wood, metal, and plastics.

Polyurethane Wood Glue

Polyurethane glue is an extremely strong adhesive. It easily bonds wood surfaces, but can also bond wood to other materials (concrete, glass, metal, foam) with ease. This glue is often used in projects where a durable weather-proof bond is required because it seeps into the wood quite deeply. The biggest benefits of polyurethane glue are that it is versatile, fills joints effectively, and creates extremely durable end grain connections on wood projects. 

Polyurethane wood glue requires moisture in order to cure fully. Hobbyists find that misting both surfaces before applying the glue works well. It’s best for workers looking for a quick bind as the working time is only around 15 minutes. While it is a powerful and long-lasting glue once applied, the product has a 1-year shelf life, so you can’t keep the same pot of glue around year after year.

This is the polyurethane glue that I’m recommending. not only does it bind very strongly, but it’s also very affordable.

Gorilla Wood Glue (PVA Glue)

Gorilla wood glue can be used to glue wood to a variety of materials such as paper, leather, ceramic, and metal. This glue consists of minute rubber particles, which make the bond it forms resistant to impact damage. This sets it apart from most other glues, which can become brittle with age. As a 100% waterproof glue, Gorilla wood glue is ideal for both interior and exterior wood projects.

The best way to buy Gorilla Wood Glue is on Amazon.

Elmer’s Wood Glue (PVA Glue)

This particular wood glue is designed specifically to glue wood to wood. It is most often used by professional carpenters and in industrial wood projects, although it has become quite popular amongst hobbyists and DIYers too. Elmer’s wood glue is easy to apply and it’s quite versatile and durable.

The best way to buy Elmer’s Wood Glue is on Amazon

Hide Glue

Hide glue can be bought as granules, flakes, flat sheets, or ready-to-use liquids. The dry version must be dissolved in water and then heated. It must be applied while it is still warm (usually 140 degrees Fahrenheit as any hotter will reduce the glue’s strength). Hide glue is typically used to create durable joints and most hobbyists prefer it because it provides impressive performance and creates a unique crackle effect on wood surfaces. Most hide glue is clear, so quite undetectable when used in woodwork projects that will be regularly seen.

The hide glue that I’m recommending is the Mohawk Hide Glue.

Old Brown Hide Glue

Old brown hide glue is an awesome choice for those looking for good old-fashioned glue that is both organic and non-toxic. One of the main differentiating factors of this type of glue is the fact that it’s very flexible, even after it has fully cured. It’s a very durable glue that performs well in tight-fitting joints. It’s important to note that old brown hide glue cannot bind materials for extended periods of time as the protein starts to break down in it and the glue thereafter loses its strengths. Most hide glues will bind strongly for around 12 to 18 months at most.

Homemade Hide Glue

While homemade hide glue has the potential to be stronger than most other types of wood glues, it is not always convenient to make. This is best for people who like the process of doing their own adhesive. This type of glue is made from trimmings and scraps of animal hide. The hide bits are covered in water and boiled (and simmered) for many hours until the hide pieces look almost translucent. The solid hide pieces are then strained out and the liquid left behind is further boiled until it starts to thicken. 

The liquid is removed from heat and allowed to cool. Testing the stickiness is done by touching the cool liquid. If it is sticky, it is ready, but if not; it is returned to the heat and boiled a bit longer. The liquid is then strained through cheesecloth and set into a flat container until it dries into a rubbery form. This is then squeezed by hand and broken up into tiny chunks that are set aside in a well-ventilated room to dry. Once completely dry, the bits are stored in an air-tight, waterproof container. When the glue is needed, some of the dry bits can be heated, causing them to return to liquid form – ready for use.

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The Most Popular Wood Glues

What Is the Most Popular PVA Wood Glue?

After extensive research, the truth has been uncovered. The most popular PVA glue that fellow hobbyists and DIYers seem to be using is the Titebond II and Titebond III products. Titebond glue is particularly popular for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, the glue is able to provide a very strong bond once applied to wood projects. Titebond PVA glue proves easy to work with (for example, sanding), and it also performs well when exposed to heat. These glues typically bond strongly when clamped for as little as just 3 minutes.

While the product is still wet, it can be easily cleaned or wiped away with water. More importantly, for those concerned with health, the Titebond PVA glue range is non-toxic and therefore safe to use.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these most popular PVA glue and other different types and what they are best used for. 

Titebond II PVA Glue

You might be surprised to learn that while Titebond II is a great choice for projects that are going to be left inside, it does perform well on some exterior projects. It is considered water-resistant, however, it is still a good idea to avoid using this glue in wet environments or outside where there is no protection from external elements. This glue dries rather quickly and is also FDA approved, which is good news for those wanting to glue wood pieces that will come into direct contact with food.

Titebond III PVA Glue

As you probably know, professional woodworkers love Titebond III PVA glue. You can use it indoors or outdoors on furniture, window frames, and more. This glue is not just rated for water resistance like Titebond II is. It is actually rated as waterproof and adheres to ANSI/HPVA Type 1 glue specs. Titebond III is also FDA-approved just like the above glue. It is a popular glue product used by both kitchen cabinet makers and serious woodworkers.

What Is the Most Popular CA Wood Glue?

For those who aren’t afraid they might get their fingers stuck to their wood project, FastCap’s 2P-10 is a very good choice. We have found that the 2P-10 CA is a very strong product and it comes in 4 main viscosities: Jel, Thick, Medium, and thin. Jel and Thick are the best options for external work as it performs well when exposed to external elements.

The glue is fairly simple to use. It must be applied to a surface and then requires an activator sprayed on it. Thereafter, simply stick the two surfaces together. The bond is strong and permanent. One of the major benefits of this glue is that only a small amount is needed. and it’s great for fixing small chips and damaged pieces of wood. It features a very quick setting too, with the product setting in just 10 seconds and curing fully in as little as just half a minute.

What Is the Most Popular Epoxy Wood Glue?

A popular, good strong epoxy glue is the West System 2 part epoxy. It is available in fast or slow hardening versions, the best of those depending on how much open time you need for working on your project. It is an excellent choice for filling deep voids, knotholes, and cracks and making a very strong permanent bond.

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Wood Glue FAQs

How Strong is Wood Glue? 

Something hobbyists and woodworkers learn along the way is that most wood glue is stronger than wood. While glued wood joints may hold for some time, it is expected that without extra fasteners such as nails, the structure (the wood itself) will give way and the join will break apart.

It’s always a good idea to use wood glue in addition to fasteners. Unfortunately, wood is not all that strong and while some wood glues can stay working through the harshest exposure; the wood might fail at some point. In most instances, to ensure that the strength of the glue is enhanced and that the strength of the wood structure itself is improved, other fasteners need to be used in the process. 

What is a Strong Wood Glue for Outdoor Use?

Do you know which wood glue is best to use when working on outdoor projects? Outdoor wood projects can be stressful because many people do not know if the glue used will be able to stand the test of time. What is the best wood glue for outside use? First and foremost, it is important to seek out glue that has either ANSI/HPVA Type I waterproof rating or ANSI/HPVA Type II water-resistant rating specifications. This means that these glues will hold up when it rains.

I have found from my own experience and chatting with other DIYers that the cyanoacrylate and epoxy glues are the strongest wood glues for Extreme Outdoor Abuse, in other words, finished projects being left out with constant exposure to the extreme elements year-round. These include FastCap’s 2P-10 Jel or 2P-10 Thick.

How Long is the Shelf Life of Wood Glue?

Most wood glues will lose significant binding strength by about 1 year. Most glue will be just fine, however, if stored correctly, for 18 to 24 months. Titebond however claims that some of their wood glue products (including their PVA glue), can last for anything up to 10 years if the glue is stored in the correct conditions. Of course, it is not a good idea to keep glue for any longer than the manufacturer label deems safe. 

Is Strong Wood Glue Food Grade Safe?

Some wood pieces you glue could come into contact with food in one way or another. Think of cutting boards or kitchen cabinets and countertops (the list goes on). Not all glues are food safe. 

Titebond wood glues are a safe choice. They produce no toxic fumes and have been FDA approved for direct contact with food. In fact, most people I have spoken to opt for this particular brand of glue for that very reason. You should always check the label of your wood glue to ensure that it is safe. The label should say something like “FDA approved for indirect contact with food”. If the label does not say that, head over to the manufacturer’s website to do a bit of research. If you can’t find any mention of the product being ‘food safe’ there, it is best to assume that it is not safe for food contact. So it might be wise to avoid it.

Can you Stain Strong Wood Glues?

Unfortunately, most wood glues won’t absorb stain. There are a few on the market that claim that they can be stained, but many hobbyists have found that it does not stain quite as nicely as they hoped. Which wood glue stains best? We have found that Elmer’s Carpenter’s Wood Glue Max is the best stainable wood glue. It is favored among professional woodworkers, hobbyists, and DIYers. This product is different from other wood glues that claim to be stainable as it contains real wood fibers in the mix. This means that staining, painting, and sanding are naturally easier with this type of wood glue.

Putting a Cap on Wood Glue

When it comes to finding the strongest glue for wood, it comes down to the type of project you do. For instance, making a matchstick sculpture will require a completely different wood glue type than piecing together wooden outside furniture or door frames.

We have come to find that Polyvinyl Acetate Glue (PVA Glue) is the best option for most woodwork projects. Titebond is the brand of choice. Not only is it a strong glue but it is also FDA approved. If you would like to learn more about this type of adhesive, I have created a complete article talking about it! please click here to read it.

Conversely, from our experience and feedback from several forums and woodworking groups, you would want to use CA or epoxies. As mentioned earlier, these work well for projects that are going to be exposed to more extreme conditions. These types of glues have enough vigor to keep holding materials in place even in extreme temperatures.

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