Shopsmith Forums

Just wondering! Have any of you experienced an "in the bottle" thickening of Titebond III Ultimate. I have a 32oz bottle that has gotten so thick I almost cannot extract it from the bottle.

It seems to work fine, except that it is sometimes a little lumpy, when I do get it out of the bottle.

It is not all that old (while in my possession) and it has not been left open except while I am using it.

I normally buy glue at Woodcraft but this bottle was purchased elsewhere. I am wondering if shelf life might be the cause.

When it starts to thicken and get lumpy, it's time to throw it out. If you go to the Titebond website -- http://www.titebond.com/Libraries/Liter ... .sflb.ashx -- it says that Titebond III has a shelf life of two years and gives details on how to read the date of manufacture.

pennview wrote:When it starts to thicken and get lumpy, it's time to throw it out. If you go to the Titebond website -- http://www.titebond.com/Libraries/Liter ... .sflb.ashx -- it says that Titebond III has a shelf life of two years and gives details on how to read the date of manufacture.

Excellent tip on the web site.....but before I would throw out the glue I would try thinning it per the website "you can add up to 5% water by weight or volume".

I have had very bad experiences with Titebond and shelf life. I have had some change colors from a cream to a very orange color and others to get very thick.

I lost a gallon recently that went bright orange on me.

So I have stopped using it.

I now use Elmers Carpenters glue. The Pro Max seems to be the equalivent to Titebond III. I have yet to have a shelf life problem.

I let a gallon sit over the winter in an unheated storage. It got lumpy. I just shook it and rolled it till it got liquid enough to pour. Still a little thick but seems to work just as well as a new batch.

I've had some similar experiences....with everyone that has shared. I've started buying my glue in small bottles (I'm a TiteBond Liquid Hide Glue fan). Yes, I may run out quickly depending on how many projects I've worked on, and have to buy more. But, I hate the idea of spending hours and hours on a project and having a glue failure. I feel a new bottle of glue is a small price to pay for peace of mind, and saves the world from experiencing some very, very, foul language from me. Just tossed half a bottle of hide glue as a matter of fact. It had passed the expiration date printed on the bottle.

Love the Liquid Hide glue for inside projects. Anything that sees any moisture at all gets TiteBond II or III.

I would be inclined to agree but this bottle of glue has not been in my possession all that long. My consumption rate on glue is high enough that it does not reach expiration. Thirty two (32) ounces of glue normally equals about a 6 months supply.

Fortunately, I have not used this stuff on anything where premature glue failure would be a catastrophe.

Discarding 2/3 of a bottle just gets to this frugal soul.

Were you a victim of poor stock rotation at the store? If the bottle is within the 2-year 'shelf life' period, you might drop a line to TiteBond Customer Support.

I have been in communication with Titebond regarding this lumpy glue. They tell me that the bottle I have was produced in February of this year and that the only way it could be thickening and getting lumpy this soon is for it to have been frozen and thawed.

I have been advised to NOT rely on its holding power if it has been frozen.

Great CS on their part.
Their answer and advice, while sound, sounds like CYA. My experience differs. Maybe just luck, though.

dusty wrote:I have been in communication with Titebond regarding this lumpy glue. They tell me that the bottle I have was produced in February of this year and that the only way it could be thickening and getting lumpy this soon is for it to have been frozen and thawed.

They are sending me a new bottle.

I have been advised to NOT rely on its holding power if it has been frozen.