Time for hot glue to set?

[MB]

I read in Saints book that to connect two panels together you can place strips of wood in the corner.
He recommends that you use hotglue to attach them and then drive some screws through.
I was just wondering how long it takes for the glue to really set and if I have to use woodclamps.
I only have a limited amount of clamps of course and don't want to waste too much time.
The hotglue for wood I bought at Sears has no instructions on the package. Just warnings  .

[gryhnd]

Mere seconds.  You're using it just to tack the strip on so you can have both hands free.  You might find you don't need the hot glue at all. I've never used it.

[MB]

It's just that he writes that glue gives a better bond than screws.
Or is that just normal (cold) woodglue.
It's my first cabinet and I don't want it to fall apart!
The heavy TV in it will probably smash the computer parts on the bottom!

[gryhnd]

Realize I haven't read his book, but AFAIK the typical hot glue one uses has practically no hold power for anything structural. Screws and wood glue are the way to go, yes.

[Comtek]

i have not tried hot glue
but i do use wood glue. when i built my first cabinet i just butt the ends of the wood together and screwed it. all seemed nice and solid   
i had only just finished it (well i made it playable before it was finished and that ended the project) i went to town to get some part i needed for it and when i got home one of my german shepherds had bumped into it or maybe tried to play it not really sure but it just fell apart. i came home to it laying on its front the back had all caved in the contol panel had all been shoved into the machine it destroyted the computer inside to make a long story short use glue.
i use plenty it squeezes out on both sides i just use a square piece of plastic to scrape away the excess

[MB]

So woodglue it is. I would hate it if my cabinet fell apart like yours Comtek. My wife would
tease me with it for the rest of my life.
I think I will test the hotglue on some scrapwood but if there is ANY doubt I'm throwing it away.

Thanks for the input guys!

[Nacimroc]

Definitely go for wood glue! Thats what its made for! If you use hot glue on wood and leave it too long to fit, it can go hard and leave a gap between your pieces! Gryhnd is right about giving no structural support! 

[Epyx]

So woodglue it is. I would hate it if my cabinet fell apart like yours Comtek. My wife would
tease me with it for the rest of my life.

Wood glue is *much* stronger than just using screws. There is no comparison...same with Hot glue...for cabs (wood on wood) use wood glue. 

Your only consideration should be what you will need to take apart in the future...with glue its strongest but its also permanent. So for strips sure...but shelving or speaker shelves or things you may want to adjust...screws are still a good option.

For smaller builds like bartops you can go 90% glue with no worries as they are portable by nature.

Honesty though...try a test...glue a strip and screw a strip and then try to hammer them off...the screws will give the glue won't.

Oh and most wood glue you need about 30 minutes to set.

[MB]

After I finish building this monster I have to drag it up the stairs to my apartment
so it better be solid. 30 minutes doesn't sound so bad. There's plenty of things
to do in the mean time. I just bought a bunch of clamps so I can do a few at the same time.

[gryhnd]

IMO 30 minutes is pushing your luck. Sure, it'll hold (be tacky) but won't be a structural bond so quickly.

Read the instructions on YOUR wood glue bottle. Then take into account temp and humidity. For example I often build in the early spring and I am in New England. My shop is pretty cool, so I err on the side of caution and let things set up overnight before I start manhandling them. Better to be patient, than regret it later and waste your time.

There's usually LOTS that can be done during the interim period: precut other panels, cut and install shelving supports, drill holes in your CP, etc.

[Blanka]

Hot glue is only meant for one thing: hands crafts class, the first years only.
Wood glue is the magic stuff here. I use it mostly without screws. Easier towards the filling and sanding sessions. The rule is: wood glue is as strong as the wood itself, except if the connected faces are pulled away from each other in the perpendicular direction.

[Epyx]

IMO 30 minutes is pushing your luck. Sure, it'll hold (be tacky) but won't be a structural bond so quickly.

Agreed...but you are usually good to go after 30 mins for wood glue...still larger pieces keep them clamped longer and you are absolutely right...humidity/temps etc play a big role.

For my bartop 30 mins was fine as I wasn't immediately carting it around..I did however release the clamps after 30 mins to set a new area and had no issues.

[MB]

I won't be putting a lot of stress on the glued connections right away, but
it would be nice if I could take the clamps off and reuse them in a different spot.
Is that OK after the 30 minutes and then let it dry further without them?

[Kharn]

Wood glue or construction adhesive. Hot glue is for your grandmother's knicknacks.

[RobbyMac]

 used hot glue on my cab....

...to plug that little hole in my flyback to prevent any condensation build up

Everything else was bondo or wood glue.

[orchidius]

So you are suggesting that building a cab can be done by merely glueing it together without screws? 

[Sjaak]

So you are suggesting that building a cab can be done by merely glueing it together without screws? 

I think you can do that. Glue joins are usually stronger than screwed joins. Most of the time I do both, but on some parts I just use glue.

[saint]

What's the opinion on hot wood glue sticks for use in a glue gun?

[Blanka]

My cab is totally glued. Only screws are for CP, monitor brackets and door hinges.
No HOT glue though

[saint]

Article on different wood glues

Use good old fashioned Elmer's wood glue.

[laggerific]

Any thoughts about the best glue for use with MDO?  I'm guessing the key would be to sand down the paper where you are applying to glue, but curious if anyone had any experience along those lines.