Replies

1. 
   jackplane | Nov 22, 2004 10:37pm | #1

    Epoxy would probably work better than the other adhesives you describe because as the two parts are mixed, they produce heat as they cure. Construction adhesive will also perform better than others but not when below zero.

   Best of all is to glue up in a warm environment.

2. 
   jackiechan | Nov 23, 2004 02:39am | #2

   John,

   Here's a link to Fine Woodworking's past article: "A Working Guide To Glues".  You should find all of the information you need there.

    

   http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00010.asp

   Dan Kornfeld, Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.

1. 
   JohnKling | Nov 23, 2004 04:02am | #3

   Thanks Dan and JackPlane for your replies. I re-read the article from FWW on glues and it frequently mentions that temperature is a factor in the open time and clamp time for the various glues reviewed, but what it doesn't seem to say is at what temperature the glue fails to perform acceptably. Maybe I missed something in there. My best guess from what I read is that a poly glue like Gorilla glue might be my best bet since the setting seems more related to moisture than temperature, but I'm still shooting in the dark a bit on that.

1. 
   jksniper | Nov 23, 2004 05:03am | #4

   John,

   I used some West System epoxy for a glue job in my also unheated garage. It was easy to use, pump 1x from each container and mix contents, and will cure in the cold. A little more initial expense and it just takes a little longer to cure than at room temp. I do keep all my glues including the epoxy in the house until I am going to use them. It keeps them from freezing up. The epoxy will still work if you leave it outside in the garage but it will pump slower. Like trying to draw milkshake sludge through a straw. Hope this helps you out.

   John

    

3. 
   Tryhard | Nov 23, 2004 05:13am | #5

   I had a similar issue last winter and tried to bring the shop (garage) to a temperature compatible with the glue.  I then realized the only thing I need to bring to temperature was the project.  I built a small enclosure around the project and placed a lamp inside with a thermometer.  Within minutes the temperature was over 60° F.  It is cheaper then trying to heat a whole garage when the outside temp is minus 20°C.

4. 
   forestgirl | Nov 23, 2004 10:12am | #6

   Tryhard is right about heating the project area.  I've used the big halogen work lights to warm up a small area.  I've heard of people successfully using an electric blanket draped on a frame around the glue-up.  Tryhard's idea sounds easier and safer. 

   Actually, I just took a look at the web blurb on Titebond III.  It shows a minimum working temperature of 47* which is, what, 8* lower than most glues?
   http://www.titebond.com/WNTitebondIIITB.asp

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

5. 
   Dave45 | Nov 23, 2004 06:17pm | #7

   I'm guess I'm lucky to live in the SF Bay area since we seldom have to deal with really cold weather.  When we do expect overnight temperatures below the low 40's, I either do my glue ups in the morning, bring them inside overnight, or fire up my halogen worklight directly over the workbench.

   Another possibility would be to rig a 'tent' over the glueup and put a 100w drop light inside.  A 100w bulb puts out quite a bit of heat.

1. 
   JohnKling | Nov 23, 2004 06:38pm | #8

   Many thanks to all who replied. It was the Titebond blurb about a lower working temperature that got me thinking about this in the first place. The tent-plus-lightbulb idea makes great sense. In the current case, I've just got a small cabinet to glue up, so it doesn't even need to be such a big tent! Again, thanks for the help and pointing me at the obvious.