Glues and Resins for Woodturning
Glues and resins play a significant role in woodturning, whether you’re joining pieces together, filling cracks, or adding a decorative touch. Here’s a breakdown of the most commonly used adhesives and resins, and how they can enhance woodturning projects.
1. CA Glue (Cyanoacrylate Glue)
Also known as super glue, CA glue is a go-to for many woodturners. It’s fast-drying and works well for a variety of purposes in woodturning.
Quick repairs: Perfect for fixing small cracks or splits in the wood, especially mid-project. A few drops can quickly stabilize a workpiece.
Finishing: CA glue can also be used as a finish on smaller items like pens. By applying multiple layers and sanding in between, a hard, glossy finish can be achieved.
Types: Available in thin, medium, and thick viscosities. Thin for quick bonding, medium for filling small cracks, and thick for larger gaps.
2. Epoxy Resin
Epoxy resin is a popular choice in woodturning, both for structural and decorative purposes. It’s a two-part adhesive that cures into a hard, durable finish, making it ideal for a wide range of projects.
Filling voids: Epoxy is often used to fill natural cracks, voids, or imperfections in the wood. Once cured, it’s incredibly strong and adds a unique visual element.
Custom colors: Epoxy can be tinted with pigments or dyes to create colorful effects in your woodturning projects, giving you endless creative possibilities.
Casting: In more advanced projects, you can cast epoxy in molds or directly onto your wood piece. This is especially popular in hybrid projects where wood is combined with resin to create artistic bowls or platters.
3. PVA Glue (Polyvinyl Acetate)
PVA glue, often referred to as wood glue, is a reliable option for general woodworking, including woodturning.
Joining pieces: If you’re laminating or gluing multiple pieces of wood together before turning, PVA glue works well. It provides a strong bond and is easy to clean up with water.
Dry time: It takes longer to dry than CA glue or epoxy, so you’ll need to clamp your pieces and wait for a full cure before turning.
4. Polyurethane Glue
Polyurethane glue is a versatile adhesive that works well in both wet and dry conditions. It’s known for expanding as it cures, making it great for filling gaps.
Strength: It forms a strong, durable bond, ideal for outdoor pieces or wood that will be exposed to moisture.
Foaming action: The glue expands as it cures, which can be helpful for filling small gaps, but be sure to clamp the pieces well to avoid excess expansion.
5. Hide Glue
Hide glue is an old-school adhesive that’s still used by traditional woodworkers and some woodturners. It’s derived from animal collagen and has a unique advantage in its reversibility.
Repairability: One of the major benefits of hide glue is that it can be softened and reactivated with heat and moisture, making it easy to repair joints.
Aesthetic work: Ideal for delicate, antique-style woodturning where the pieces may need to be disassembled in the future.
6. UV-Curing Resin
UV-curing resin is becoming more popular in woodturning for its quick curing time and ease of use. It solidifies when exposed to UV light, which can be handy for certain projects.
Quick cure: It hardens in seconds under a UV light, making it perfect for small repairs or inlay work.
Decorative: Often used for filling small cracks or adding decorative elements, such as glowing or transparent features in turned items.
Choosing the Right Glue or Resin
The choice of glue or resin depends on your project’s needs:
CA glue is ideal for quick fixes or finishing.
Epoxy is perfect for filling voids, creating decorative inlays, or casting.
PVA is great for joining pieces, while polyurethane glue offers strength and moisture resistance.
Hide glue is a reliable option for traditional repairs or reversible joints
UV-curing resin offers speed and decorative flair.
Adding these adhesives and resins to your toolkit can not only help you create more structurally sound pieces but also add creative, eye-catching details to your woodturning projects.