Replies

1. 
   woodrae | Jun 26, 2007 04:09pm | #1

   Good morning back to you, JCG—

   I’ve glued cocobolo quite successfully using ordinary white and yellow woodworking glues, and the joints have held tight without complaint. You might try wiping the joining surfaces first with acetone to clear away any surface oils, and then glue and clamp immediately. The best strategy is to machine or hand-work the surface just prior to joining, then wipe with acetone and glue as soon as possible. This keeps the surface oils to a minimum. But in a pinch, wiping just prior to gluing should do the trick.

   You can also try urea formaldehyde (also called plastic resin), which has a much harder consistency when cured. I have a jointer plane I made many moons ago that has a cocobolo sole adhered to a hard maple body with mulberry sides, and the urea glue has held up fine for many great years of use.

   Either way, it’s good practice to glue up a sample joint, including wiping down with acetone, to see if the glue is going to hold. Once the adhesive has dried (or cured, depending on the glue), take a hammer and whack the glueline. If the wood fibers break instead of the glueline, you’re good to go.

   If your sample glue joint doesn’t work, then your last resort is to use a two-part wood epoxy, such as West System or the stuff sold by Lee Valley Tools. Woodworking epoxy will grab any type of wood without further ado.

   Best o’ luck, and post a picture of the plane when you’re done!

   —Andy Rae

1. 
   jcg | Jun 27, 2007 08:46am | #2

   Bonjour,

   Thank you very much for your answer

   JCG