Application Tips are designed to provide a quick reference to the helpful suggestions regarding our products and their applications. If you need further assistance, please Contact Us or read our FAQ's. For a definition of unfamiliar terms, please refer to our Glossary.
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When gluing, use masking tape to cover parts of your piece that will be stained later.
Glue joint "squeeze out" may make the area around the joint difficult to stain. Use masking tape to cover the areas that you do not want glue to soak into. The sections that were masked will be free of stain-resisting glue when the masking tape is removed.
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Determine the optimum clamp time of Titebond Liquid Hide Glue.
Titebond Liquid Hide Glue is very sensitive to humidity, therefore it is often hard to tell when to take off your clamps. The best way to determine your clamp time is to place a scrap piece of wood with Liquid Hide Glue spread on it next to your newly glued and clamped piece. When the glue on the scrap piece of wood is dry, you can take your clamps off. Be sure to wait at least 24 hours before you stress the joints.
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Special consideration must be given to projects involving different wood species.
When different wood species are used in a project, it is important that all woods have the same moisture content. Storing all the wood together in the same warm, dry location before beginning the project will help all the wood reach the same moisture content.
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For intricate assemblies, project preparation is essential.
Because of the quick setting nature of the HiPURformer™ adhesives, it is recommended that all pieces for the project be cut and fit together before the actual assembly occurs.
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The cartridge cap may be stored in the handle of the adhesive applicator when the HiPURformer adhesive is being used.
For convenience, there is a cartridge cap holder in the bottom of the adhesive applicator's handle. Store the cap in the handle holder while using the adhesive, eliminating chances for cap loss.
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For intricate assemblies or face framing jobs, choose MP300 for the extended set time.
Titebond MP300 has a five-minute set time, the longest of all four of the HiPURformer adhesives. In addition, it is multi-purpose and designed for use on a wide variety of materials.
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How to properly add dye to Titebond Wood Glues.
It is possible to change the color of aliphatic resin glues by using aniline-based dyes. Using a drop or two of water, work the powdered dye into a paste before adding to the glue. This helps to prevent lumps in the glue. Start by adding a small amount of the dye because a small amount can significantly alter the color. Before making your final color decision, be sure to let a sample of the dyed glue dry. When the mixtures dry they may look different from the wet state.
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Detach the heat cylinder from the trigger handle properly to insert the adhesive cartridge.
Simply pull the trigger and simultaneously twist the heat cylinder counterclockwise to release it. Insert the adhesive cartridge (with cap on) into the heat cylinder and reattach the two adhesive applicator components.
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A hard to remove cap can be loosened by using the round, cap-shaped receptacle in the base station.
Always wear gloves. The cartridge must be hot before attempting to remove the cap. If the cap becomes stuck, it may be loosened by using the similarly shaped receptacle in the base charger.
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Have enough HiPURformer™ adhesive for the project.
Each 50-gram cartridge contains approximately 71 linear feet of HiPURformer Polyurethane Hot Melt Adhesive when the adhesive is applied in a 1/16" bead.
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When taking the hot cartridge out of the adhesive applicator, be sure to use gloves.
We recommend that gloves be worn while using the HiPURformer Polyurethane Advanced Bonding System. Please wear them as you are removing a hot adhesive cartridge from the heating cylinder.
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The base charger may be mounted on a firm surface.
For stability, the base charger may be mounted on a firm surface. Use 2.9mm (1/9") diameter screws to secure, using the holes provided on the bottom of the unit.
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For rapid wood-to-wood assemblies, HiPURformer WW30 is ideal.
Titebond WW30 adhesive offers a thinner viscosity and a faster set time, making it ideal for rapid assembly operations.
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Get good results gluing end grain joints.
Although good joint design minimizes the need for gluing end grain, sometimes end grain joints are unavoidable. The strength of end grain joints can be improved if the "open" end grain is first sized. A sizing mixture may be made by mixing one part to two parts water to one part glue. Place the sizing mixture on the end grain. Let it soak in for no more than two minutes, and then continue with a regular application of glue.
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Ensuring that homemade wood fillers adhere to the surface.
Use a small artist's brush to coat the surface with glue before applying homemade wood filler. Doing this will assure that the surface is wet enough to encourage adhesion. Otherwise the wood filler mix may be too dry to adhere well to the surface to which it is being applied.
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Decrease clamping time using a vacuum press.
To decrease the clamp time in a vacuum press, put a thick piece of wood into the vacuum bag to help absorb the moisture from the glue. This technique is best utilized when laminating many thin veneers together because the water in the glue saturates the veneers.
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Get better results gluing woods that are oily or high in tannic acid.
When working with woods that are high in tannic acid or are considered oily, wiping the joints with acetone before gluing them up ensures a good bond. Acetone clears the contaminants from the wood's pores on the bonding surface and dries quickly without leaving any residue. A good bonding surface can also be achieved by sanding or planing the wood just before gluing the joints.
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Prevent "stepped" joints in your projects.
Stepped joints typically result when pieces of wood of different moisture contents are edge glued together in making a tabletop or cabinet door. It is important to be sure that all the wood for a given project is at the same moisture content before beginning a project. Allowing the wood to acclimate or sit exposed in your shop for a week or two is one way to be sure each piece of wood has a similar moisture content.
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Prevent sunken joints in your projects.
Water-based wood glues such as Titebond Original or Titebond II build strength in a joint as they lose moisture into the surrounding wood. This moisture causes the wood on both sides of the bondline to swell slightly. If the project is planed or sanded before this swelling disappears, the high moisture wood near the joint will continue to dry and will shrink slightly compared to the rest of the wood. Allow your project to dry for several days before sanding or planing.
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Minimize moisture to maximize shelf life.
Keep HiPURformer adhesive cartridges in their protective foil pouches until you are ready to use them. Unopened cartridges have a shelf life of approximately 1 year. Take the following precautions to provide a partially used cartridge with a minimum shelf life of 4 weeks. When you are finished working, purge some adhesive from the tip of the cartridge. Taking this step will allow any moisture-laden air to escape from the tip of the cartridge, preventing the adhesive from curing. After purging the tip, immediately replace the cartridge cap tightly while the adhesive is still hot in the applicator. Pull the feed rod away from the cartridge to prevent it from adhering to the cartridge plunger.
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Re-use may require an extended heat up time.
When re-using a cartridge, you may find that the adhesive remaining in the tip may take a little longer to soften. Allow the adhesive applicator to heat for an extra 5 -7 minutes after the green light is displayed. This will help soften the dried adhesive in the tip and allow it to extrude easily when re-using a cartridge.
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Clamping your assembly may be desirable.
While clamping would not be necessary for many projects, it may be desirable. Clamping will produce a thinner, more aesthetically pleasing glue line. In addition, if the substrates being bonded have a lot of memory, pressing or clamping the pieces will help to keep them flat while the adhesive is curing, ensuring a better bond.
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For assemblies that may require an adhesive with gap-filling properties, the HiPURformer adhesives are perfect.
The cross-linking nature of the HiPURformer adhesives allow for high strength, permanent bonds with minimal pressure, and are ideal for applications where some gap-filling properties are needed.
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HiPURformer MP75 is the ideal adhesive choice when assembling a wide variety of materials.
Titebond MP75 is extremely versatile and designed for use on materials such as Melamine, FRP, ceramics, metals, textiles, moldings and most other common substrates.
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