Titebond End Grain Glue Test

[@rockstylex33]

I recently did an end grain glue test myself. I glued 3 sets of 2 2x4s that were 1 foot long end to end (2 feet total) with tight bond 3. I let them dry over night. I placed them with the ends supported and in each case was able to stand on them. I weigh 200 pounds. They did break when I jumped up and down a bit. But very strong for sure. My test was a lot less controlled than yours, but fun. Glad to see this video.

[@RockingChairU]

Hello Jeremy, I am a woodworker and have been making sawdust most of my life, though I took a sabbatical in my early career working as an electrical engineering manager and a manufacturing consultant. In my work, I glue some end grain to side grain with each project and I have discovered a method that renders the end grain joint a great deal stronger. I call it my "partially clarify" technique. I spread a moderate layer of glue (type III) on the end grain and wait until I can see about half of the wood through the glue. I then add a little glue to the side grain portion, a touch more to the clarified end grain, and clamp it up. The partially cured glue is too stiff to be pushed into the pores of the wood and therefore stays in place. I have taken some of these joints apart over the years and when I do, side grain wood is always removed due to the tenacity of the end grain joint. Thanks for an exquisite analysis, something rarely seen these days it appears to me. Hal Taylor

[@johnlepage1719]

Thanks for taking the time to do this video, much appreciated.

[@OllyParryJones]

These results are quite fascinating, Jeremy. I was also expecting the reinforced Domino joint to run away with the prize but, under your test, it appears no more durable than a traditional lap joint. Thank you for taking the time to conduct this experiment and for sharing the results with us.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Perhaps it is presumptuous of me to say 'the world's best glue' but it has to be amongst the leaders. I am not paid by the makers of Titebond but these videos resulted from my personal curiosity about their claim to have a glue for bonding end grain without fibre overlap!

[@bobs344]

I like this video, it applies to all wood workers and gives a good sense of the glue is actually doing

[@brilwiljeff]

Its people like you, experimenting, that led to the world we live in. thanks.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Jeff- that is a very kind and appreciative comment. I guess my natural passion and curiosity for woodworking is to share knowledge and although I don't have the resources of a university and use Heath Robinson equipment it does hopefully add a little to the body of knowledge.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

I enjoy putting things to the test, challenging tradition and holding on to the best that traditional practice offers and the way end grain is glued is an interesting challenge in the age of instant liquid nails!

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Jeff Medvin: a very kind comment sir that shows your appreciation. I just wish I had the resources to test these products right to the edge! The usual laboratory tests I find a little sanitised. I was simply curious by the claim that a glue can bond end grain which goes against most of my early knowledge of working wood. Fibre overlap still rules!!

[@lukamrkonjic5101]

GREAT video and very informative for woodworking glue basics. Although basic, its almost mandatory knowledge and you did it in a very user friendly way which was understandable and concise. Well done.

[@Stuckneutral]

Excellent video, I particularly liked the comparison between the Titebond III. I too also thought that Titebond III was the best of them all because of the labeling. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Stuckneutral Thanks for your appreciation.

[@jackmaravola2496]

Thank you for the testing and comparatives Jeremy.

[@jaybeemer5166]

Thanks for making this video. I think it was well thought-out and objective.

[@robertbrunston5406]

Thank you so much for making this video! I just love tests like this to find out the truth! Thanks again.

[@razzledingle]

Wow. That zigzag table is awesome!

[@Theelderdragon01]

Thanks for the info. I'm starting a kayak project and was looking around for some tips. I'll keep reinforcement in mind when gluing up the frame work.

[@alastairmackay4589]

Enjoyable and informative!

[@alancooper9363]

Stands to reason that a thicker adhesive would perform better on more thirsty wood and endgrain is thirsty wood. Being thicker it will be absorbed less. Even when glueing an mortice and tenon joint I will apply glue to the shoulders first because then the endgrain of the shoulder gets more open-time for absorbtion and I sometimes add a bit more just before clamping up.

[@22tomthebomb]

Great video and excellent music. What a talented fellow you are.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Within the limitations of this particular test I was in two minds about expectations over which would be the winner (Domino or halving joint). I have used massive halving joints in my furniture designs on the basis that each joint member is equal. A tenon insert has a 2:1 ratio but in this specific pressure test the results would be less obvious. I can only guess that the beech insert glued to pine was the weakness. I will do another test (video) using a pine insert to maintain consistency!

[@LLUEVE]

Great info. Thanks for the video!

[@hotrodhog2170]

Awesome test video! One other thing to consider is how tight the grain pattern is on the domino test. Tighter grain may make it harder for the glue to penetrate the cells for good holding power.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Interesting point. Softwood cells are open whereas hardwood cells are closed but generally end-grain should not be glued without re-inforcement.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Thank you for the comments and questions. To thoroughly test these glues and compare them with others take resources beyond my capacity. I am a modest solo woodworker not receiving any funding from any glue manufacturer and these videos are put up for free (except for tiny revenue from Adsense). My own intuitive feeling about the polyurethane glues is they are good for damp wood externally but too messy to use and clean up for my own woodworking pleasure. Cascamite has always been a favourite of mine, its used in boatbuilding and should be okay for a butchers block.

[@MrArdytube]

Great video I have a suggestion you might want to try There is a product called wood hardener that is designed to stabilize rotted wood I have tried it and it works well I wonder ….it you prepare the end grain with this product… then apply the glue Maybe this will provide an even stronger base to hold the glue… ie make the end grain functionally similar to the side grain

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

When you say 'it works well' what do you mean. The fundamental principle of the atrength of a woodworking joint is overlaping fibres proven throughout history since wood was first spliced. Enf grain reliance on a glue alone will always have limited strength.

[@GrahamOrm]

Interesting test. I knew the half lap would be strong but expected the Domino to beat it. Have you tested or tried superglue with activator on end grain Jeremy? I used the Screwfix version all the time on architraves, trims and mouldings. If I ever had to break a joint the wood wou of often give first after only a 30 second setting time. the activator is the key.

[@Frankowillo]

Here's a suggestion for all you folks asking Jeremy to test various other glues. The man is a busy professional, so instead YOU buy the various glues and do your own testing.

[@TreeborgCNC]

Great video!

[@claudiobertadeazevedo4669]

What is the strength of the wood it self without the joint???? so we all can know the difference!!!

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

If you watch the video you will see that end grain should not be glued without some kind of joint and that Titebond supply a specific end grain glue but not for structural applications but light applications.

[@TechSavvy.]

I was thinking the same thing. Test a piece of wood without a joint and see how much pressure it takes to break it. I suspect it to be a lot more than any glued joint proving that the glue is not really stronger than the wood.

[@davemeeks8109]

Titebond lll is considered safe for making cutting boards.

[@kennydee7331]

Hi Jeremy. Are measurement that your apparatus is giving linear? In other words, is the joint that failed at 20.5 psi 46% stronger than joint that failed at 14 psi? If so I am surprised how well end-grain joint performed compared to half-lap and domino-reinforced joint, especially when we take glue surface area into account.If we compare strongest joints half-lap and domino joint were only 46% and 25% stronger, respectively.

[@RHammer9]

In your opinion, how does liquid nails compare to the tightbond.

[@denisl2760]

Woodomain - Jeremy Broun Really like your videos, very informative. I have a question for a school project. I am constructing an I-beam out of basswood, I am planning to take the 1.5" x 0.25" x 24" "web" piece, cut it into six 0.25" x 0.25" x 24" pieces, and glue them long grain to long grain. Would this give me a stronger beam than the original solid piece? The beam will be point loaded on the vertical axis. Thanks.

[@kazumitakemoto2543]

Although being quite late to this good test, I wonder what would be the test value on woods without a joint. That is true base line, right? I also expect differences on strength of wood fibers and you may need multiple samples to even out such differences.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

I don't understand your comment as this video shows end-grain bonding without a joint being tested. It makes no difference what the species of the wood is. You need to watch both my videos on Titebond gluing to understand the importance of overlapping fibres when bonding.

[@richardsolomon5375]

45deg end grain is much stronger than flat inline glue up, but I agree any end grain work needs reinforcement. Edit: let me be clear! Any end grain jointing needs reinforcement! What I am talking about is in the case that neither joint is overlapping or given some sort of pin, tenon etc. In this case the same surface area of wood will hold better if cut at 45 degrees, because of the better gluing of a partial edge grain joint vs the straight end grain joint.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Incorrect. If you watch this video you will understand that the strength of a joint is in fibre overlap. The strongest bond is always going to be where the grain direction aligns because any other configuration the timber is trying to expand/contract in different directions effectively tearing the fibres away from the glue! The fact that these glues are flexible compensate to a degree.

[@richardsolomon5375]

@@WoodomainJeremyBroun sorry I think I was a little lacking in my communication. What I meant was that without reinforcement, domino, overlap etc. The same surface area of wood glued up at 0deg included angle and and at 45deg included angle, the 45 deg will be stronger than the straight inline end grain glue up. Its always stronger to reinforce the joint with overlap, but in simply cut then glued joints the miter will beat the straight. Love your videos!

[@bobd5119]

Well done!

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

It may help if I explain that these two videos were made off the cuff after I became aware that other UK furniture makers are using just glue for end grain jointing without re-inforcement! To do exhaustive comprehensive tests on such a complex subject would be even more time consuming. I think there is a danger in expecting the 'perfect quick fix glue' for all wood applications when it is horses for courses, as Titebond demonstrate in their No Run No Drip glue. However, I will do more tests.

[@hilals9090]

Great video

[@Riccardo9245]

this was very well explained and also interesting. I am looking for a wood glue to use for a butcher block project, so ideally wood be food grade, but the most important thing for me is that will last. Any suggestion? thanks agon and keep up the good work :)

[@redbach23tube]

subscribed....great video... do you think titebond will last outdoors? on a fence for example. will 2 part epoxy glues out perform titebond on an endgrain joint with no reinforcements?

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

I would not use it externally. Epoxy would be stronger as in boatbuilding epoxy glues.

[@williambumpus6434]

Thank you very informative.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Titebond is superior to Liquid Nails, especially for fine woodworking where the glue penetrates the wood fibres and longterm also.

[@PeteCorp]

Refreshing.

[@brysonjamir872]

A trick: watch series on Kaldrostream. Me and my gf have been using them for watching loads of movies during the lockdown.

[@kendrickreign8560]

@Bryson Jamir yea, been watching on Kaldrostream for years myself =)

[@jeromecade5140]

@Bryson Jamir Yea, have been using kaldrostream for since november myself =)

[@rexreyansh7370]

@Bryson Jamir definitely, have been using kaldrostream for years myself =)

[@neiljaxtyn4504]

@Bryson Jamir Definitely, been watching on kaldrostream for months myself :)

[@ccccen]

What glue doesn't shows after staining the wood and finish??????

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

Generally or traditionally speaking end grain does not provide a strong joint because there is no fibre overlap.

[@Goodwithwood69]

An interesting video, a polyurethane test next?

[@aungthetoo1800]

are you have in myanmar country market

[@ccccen]

Good test but I'm looking for a glue that will not show through the staining, titebond 3 shows through

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

I think most glues do.

[@johnberndt7822]

The only thing that is failing is the wood. You can clearly see that the wood is fracturing not the glue. A joint is only as strong as it’s wood when it’s a simple joint like this.

[@WoodomainJeremyBroun]

I thought I made that point clear in the video. With end grain there are no overlapping fibres, so there is no wood to fracture!

[@brothyr]

Titebond 3's claim is from internal testing and their claims of strength using their own test methods. they're noted on their own website, possibly hidden. www.titebond.com/Libraries/LiteraturePDFs/FF683_GlueGuideTB.sflb.ashx

[@malachiconstant7258]

You know what the best epoxy glue is? Epoxy resin. I guarantee if you test this against any og =f these glues it outperforms them.