Hot melt glue for Norm’s wall clock

donshop | Posted in Joinery on March 15, 2003 05:29am

I’m finishing four more of Norm’s Shaker wall clocks (they make nice gifts.) I’ve done about eight in the past and I’ve always used 5/8 brads to fasten the quarter round that holds the glass and panels in. Norm’s book suggests using hot melt glue but I’ve always wondered if it will hold as long as the clock lasts (Norm says they’re an heirloom.)

I know there are two types of glue, hot melt and cool melt. My guess would be to use the hot melt. Right?

Thanks for any advice. Don

Replies

Splintie | Mar 15, 2003 06:54am | #1
My guess would be to use the hot melt.

Nope, use the brads. If the clock is ever left in a hot car, the glass will fall out. If hot melt glue freezes, it also lets stuff fall apart.

I learned this from others' mistakes, just for the record. <G>

donshop | Mar 16, 2003 02:33am | #3
Thanks for the reply. I figured the hot melt was too good to be true. I ordered an extra glass in case my brad nailer doesn't get aimed right. Don

BrianF | Mar 16, 2003 01:00am | #2
Don,

I'll second Splintie's comment, and add another reason. If the glass should break (it has a funny way of doing that, especially around kids) you will have to pry the moulding off and scrape off the glue and remake the half of them that you broke prying them off. (Yes, I'll claim not to have first hand knowledge either. ha ha... )

Have fun, Brian

P.S. I'm not sure "heirloom" and "hot melt" are compatible no matter what Norm might say.

Edited 3/15/2003 6:05:47 PM ET by BrianF

donshop | Mar 16, 2003 02:36am | #4
I thought about the "fixin" problem, too. Easier to pry a few brads out.

I know what you mean about Norm but I enjoy his show. He got me into woodworking and got me to spend a heck of a lot of money, too.

Nothing gets me madder than turning on PBS to watch his show and finding them trying to raise more money.

Don

BrianF | Mar 16, 2003 06:14pm | #5
Don,

You don't have to appoligize to me for watching Norm. I have a small shop on the back of my house and work alone, so I have a TV and stero built in to corner of the shop for company. I've often been known to have TOH or NYW of on a Sunday afternoon after the Packer game or the NASCAR race. I think his program serves a niche. I'm not sure that niche is served with laser guided miter boxes though. I know alot of people who think that what he does is way above their level and it gives them another level to aspire to. We all started at some beginner level and many didn't have the benefit of an experienced craftsman to guide us. My father for example was a good weekend/hobby woodworker. I learned alot of the basics from him. I then moved on my own through reading and trial and error. I put my time in at a large custom cab shop and found my self wanting a little more than production. I've become a stay-at-home dad and I build custom cabinets but try to put a little more style and craftsmanship in than the production line. Once both kids are in school full time I'm looking to do some more studying my self and delve more into fine furniture design and building, maybe do some more carving. It's all about the level you want to be at.

Brian

Sancho | Mar 16, 2003 06:44pm | #6
I would use hot melt glue for speed but I would shoot a couple of brads in to hold it just in case. Notice I said just a couple.

Darkworks: We support the US military "We kick your #### and take your gas"
donshop | Mar 18, 2003 05:15am | #7
If you're a Packer fan, we might have more in common than woodworking. I live in Wausau, WI.

My dad was a high school wood working teacher before he got into politics so, as a kid, I helped him remodel our homes, build chicken coops, etc.

I got into my own wood working about ten years ago, have now retired and am building my shop this summer.

I'm the construction chair of our local Habitat chapter but we have a hired construction manager. I work on HFH a couple days each week. When one of our kids bought his first house, my wife and I helped him take off the asbestos shingles and reside it. I also built his kitchen cabinets. When I'm working on one of these projects, I often think my Dad would be proud.

Don

BrianF | Mar 18, 2003 09:50pm | #9
Don,

I actually live in Green Bay. I've lived in WI all my life, so I think being a Packer fan is mandatory. I love your part of the state though I'm not sure I could live that far away from Lake Michigan. The kids and I spend part of a day or two a week during the summer trolling for trout and salmon. My kids are nuts about hanging out in the shop with me. All the scraps from my barrell become "sculpture". I have to be real carefull where I set down pieces that I need or they will disappear. I will be the happiest father in the world if one or both of my kids picks up the ball and runs with it, even if it is just a hobby. My 6yr old daughter has a real liking of relief carving. She draws pictures on scrap 1/4" ply and then takes one of my v-gouges and carves away. She really has an eye for detail and unreal patience for a young kid.

Brian

BarryO | Mar 18, 2003 07:17am | #8
"Nothing gets me madder than turning on PBS to watch his show and finding them trying to raise more money"

Yea, what's with that? You're a regular viewer, tuning in to watch one of your favorite shows, and they p*ss you off by pre-empting it with some "special" program that has no interest to you. And then they ask you for money!! 'not very good timing, if you ask me.

Thom1 | Apr 18, 2003 10:42pm | #10
You can tape the pieces in, and use crazy glue to make invisible welds. Same as instaling the glass in blind slots, which isn't the end of the world.

How fast are you moving with this? Do you have to shoot the nails? Why not use that stick with the metal thing on the end of it. Even norm has one of those.

Also, for a change, you might like the authentic plan for a Shaker clock in a recent issue of FWW.

donshop | Apr 19, 2003 03:44am | #11
Thom - I tried the hot melt, found it difficult to control - it got under the quarter-round and showed from the front of the clock. I ended up using 5/8" brads with my brad nailer. Only broke two pieces of glass. Probably could have broken more with the stick with the metal end.

Now I'm having trouble finding a locking mechanism or catch that I like. I used to get brass ones from Empire Clock in St. Paul but they've increased the size and I don't like them.

One of my sons is going to a Woodcraft store in Madison, WI tomorrow. I'd like to go with him but have committed to Habitat work so I told him to use his judgement and buy something that might work.

Thanks for the reply. Don