Gluing question

doctim · Post by **doctim** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:46 am

My son is working on an Eagle Scout project - a rolling planter for Sr. citizens home. Since this will be outside, I was wondering if anyone has info on what the best glue is to use on cedar (for outdoor use).

Thanks in advance . . . Tim

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:36 am

Good Morning Tim! It'll make a little difference which of the cedar woods you are using. However, they all will bond satisfactorily, with Western red cedar being the easiest and Port Orford cedar being the hardest to bond, but still in the satisfactory range.

I recommend your son uses a waterproof glue. There is a brand named Gorilla glue that will work. If he goes this route get the newer lower foaming kind. There are also glues used by boat builders that would do a great job. If you live nearby a boat builder, he will be able to guide you. Probably uses a Phenol-resorcinol glue.

In addition to glue, I suggest he uses stainless steel screws to clamp the joints together and re-enforce them.

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:22 pm

Titebond III is also rated for outdoor use if you don't want the mess of a polyurethane glue.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 7:13 pm

Any chance you could post the plans for this planter before we comment further? It's an imprecise art recomending glues for outdoor projects without knowing the joinery involved. Could be that you don't need glue at all.

With all good wishes,

doctim · Post by **doctim** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 1:14 pm

Chuck, Bruce, Nick . . . thanks for responses. He is using Western red cedar. Plans are hand-drawn. The assembly is a simple box (48" x 24") with a bottom, all with 3/4".

Tim
Overland Park, KS

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 11:19 pm

My guess is - he is going to use butt joints. I'd use Titebond III or Gorilla glue, and stainless steel screws. Gorilla glue has a longer open time and Titebond is easier to use. He can recess the screws about 3/8" and cover them with cedar plugs, glued into the holes. The plugs can be square on the outside and trimmed (with a jackknife) to fit the screw head hole. (It'll give the look of square pegs.) I'd also recommend making pilot holes for the screws. He doesn't want the ends to split.

Good luck!

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Gluing question

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