The Glue Strength Test: How It Informs Design

I began a simple project in the workshop that will wrap up soon to test the new cyanoacrylate glue that recently came on the market especially formulated for woodworking applications. This project is a simple tapered leg table with tenoned apron sections glued into mortises that are routed into the legs. The fast set time of the cyanoacrylate glue would greatly facilitate the assembly of the legset.

Recall that I conducted a strength test of the glue with the help of the engineering department here at the University of Minnesota before I began building the tapered leg table as described in a set of earlier posts that are listed below. The glue strength test indicated that the new cyanoacrylate glue did not bond as well as traditional woodworking glues, and for that reason I decided to assemble the legset using a traditional glue even though I think that the strength of the joinery used here would not have been an issue. I like to be sure about these things though when it comes to my work.

http://stevepanizza.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-glue-strength-test-results.html

http://stevepanizza.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-glue-strength-test-engineering-test.html

http://stevepanizza.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-glue-strength-test-introduction.html

The process of gluing and clamping the legset was done in two stages, and each stage took a full day of clamping. Using the cyanoacrylate glue would have meant that the glue-up phase of the legset could have been completed in only one day as quick dry time is its primary advantage. The benefit of strength won out over completion rate though.

Another way to look at the glue strength test results though as they relate to this project design is that I could have increased the size of the apron part tenons to increase the glue surface area if completion time had absolutely been an issue here as more glue surface area increases joint strength. It may help to know in the future that I have this option during the design stage of any project.

I think that uses for the new cyanoacrylate glue will eventually develop where its short drying time can be used to advantage in situations where strength is less important. So for now it stays in the shop as another tool to use when appropriate.