How to Glue Wood Together for Strong Joints

Examine each wood piece to determine the grain of the wood. It may help you to mark the direction of the grain lightly in pencil along the surface that will be glued. Take note of whether the grain lines are long, stretching across the entire joint surface, or short and broken up.

Line up the two pieces so that the grains run parallel to teach other, if possible. This may not be an option, depending on what you are gluing, but if you can run the grains parallel to each other, the hold will be stronger. If you are gluing two short grain pieces together, you may need some mechanical assistance.

Spread a thick, even layer of wood glue over each surface. Don’t be afraid of having excess glue, as you can clean this off later. When both surfaces are completely covered in glue, push them together firmly so that excess glue runs from the joint.

Clamp the two wooden pieces together to apply constant pressure to the joint as the glue dries. Allow the glue to dry completely, following specific product instructions for recommendations about drying time, as each product will dry differently.

Remove the clamp once the required amount of drying time has passed. Scrape off excess glue with a scraper or putty knife. If small beads remain, lightly sand the surface with fine grit sandpaper to remove the excess. Test the joint before using the assembly to hold up any weight.