What is the Strongest Wood Glue? – (9 Best Wood Glue Reviews)

Nails are not pretty. They are intrusive, they cause damage to wood, and frankly, don’t always hold up well. That is why more and more, we’re having a lot of hobbyists ask what the strongest wood glue is.

While I would love to answer that question, it is important to note that it is a bit misleading. That is because stronger glue doesn’t necessarily yield better results. Instead, what you need is the best wood glue for your particular project.

We have assembled a list of the best wood glues, and we’d get to that in a moment. First, let’s look into the different types of wood glue and what makes each one special.

Our Top Picks

Best Wood Glue

1. Titebond II Premium – Best Furniture Glue for Beginners
2. Gorilla Wood Glue – Editor’s Pick
3. Glue Masters Cyanoacrylate Super Glue – Best Clear Wood Glue for Crafts
4. Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue – Best top-rated wood glue for Pros
5. Starbond EM-02 Super Fast Thin – Best CA Glue for Woodworking
6. Weld Bond Multipurpose Adhesive –Best-rated Wood Glue for Mixed Materials
7. Elmer’s E7310 Carpenter’s Wood Glue Max – Best wood glue for cabinets
8. Titebond Genuine Hide Glue – Best wood glue for furniture repair
9. Franklin Titebond Polyurethane Glue – Best Polyurethane Glue

Wood Glue Types

There are five main types of wood glue, each with its own pros and cons. While some are much stronger than others, they may not be appropriate for every project.

Some projects like crown molding, for example,  require a bit of flexibility, while load-bearing furniture need glue that is harder than the wood itself.

So, let’s discuss these before we get to our list.

PVA glue for wood – best carpenters glue

Polyvinyl acetate glue (PVA)is a synthetic resin that forms a very strong bond very quickly. PVA wood glue is the most commonly used wood glue. It is so common, in fact, that it is often just called wood glue.

Some of the most popular wood glues such as Elmer’s, Gorilla wood glue, and Titebond II are PVA glues. PVA glue comes in either yellow or white.

The white glue is meant for indoor carpentry, while the yellow one is more water-resistant and can be used for exterior work. Yellow PVA is referred to as carpenter’s glue.

PVA wood glue is popular not just because it is strong but also because using PVA glue on wood is easy and it is non-toxic. You can wash it off with water, and it won’t harm your skin.

PVA is perfect for small weighted furniture, DIY, and for a wide range of applications. PVA is also very affordable.

Cyanoacrylate Wood Glue (CA)

This is another common type of wood glue. However, it is more often used for non-woodworking projects, and you may be more familiar with its street name: super glue.

If you have used cyanoacrylate before, then you know how fast super glue takes to dry. It dries very quickly and forms a strong bond with different materials.

However, super glue does not form an unbreakable bond with wood, which is why it is best for crafts and small DIY repairs. Read more to learn if super glue will work on wood.

CA wood glue has low viscosity, so it can be messy to use. If it gets on your skin, you’ll need nail polish remover. Fortunately, CA glue is rarely toxic.

Epoxy glue for wood – gap filling wood glue

Epoxy-based glue is often used to fill cracks and gaps in the wood. Once it dries, it is almost unbreakable. It is also weatherproof, which is why it is often used for boats and sailing vessels.

When you hear epoxy, you rarely think about glue. Instead, you’re picturing epoxy resins for river tables or art.

However, the same qualities that make it hold large wooden tables together are what make epoxy wood glue a very powerful adhesive.

However, epoxy glues aren’t very common for regular woodworking because it is a two-part glue, which makes them longer to apply, and they can be very messy.

Fortunately, it takes a bit longer to bond, thus giving you ample time to clean up any mess. Epoxy is also very difficult to sand, and it is toxic during application until it is fully cured.

Polyurethane 

Just like epoxy, polyurethane glue is another super strong wood glue that performs just as well as its topcoat counterpart. Polyurethane glue is a synthetic plastic resin that forms a strong yet slightly flexible bond.

Polyurethane glue is moisture-activated, so wetting one surface will make it tack on better. While polyurethane is great for wood, it can also be used on many other materials, even more so than CA glue and PVA.

For woodworking, poly glue is often preferred to PVA because you can stain over it. The one downside is that it is toxic, so you need to protect your eyes and skin during application. Cleaning is also a chore – you need mineral spirits to remove excess glue.

Hide Glue

Hide glue or leather glue was the original durable wood glue. It is made from animal hide and animal collagen and comes in liquid form or crystal form. The crystals need to be heated in water before application.

Though the bond you get from hide glue is strong, it can be reversed by adding heat or water vapor. This makes it unappealing for a lot of woodworking projects. However, this liquid glue for wood is perfect for antiques and other old furniture.

It preserves the look of the furniture because the color blends naturally, and it allows restorers to make amends without having to break the wood.

Best Wood Glue Reviews (Updated List)

So, what is the best glue for wood? Whether you’re looking for the best wood glue for chairs, tables, crafts and even floors, we’ve got you covered.

1. Best Furniture Glue for Beginners – Titebond II Premium

We start this list with the most popular wood glue brand. Franklin International has been making wood glues for over half a century, giving them plenty of time to perfect their formulae. The most popular wood bonding glue they have is the Titebond II Premium.

It is yellow glue, which lets you know that it is meant for outdoor use. However, it is also handy for a lot of indoor projects. It is a popular option with professional woodworkers because it is a bit runny, so you need to move fast.

Despite its professional appeal, we highly recommend this fast-set wood glue for beginners too. Titebond II tacks on quickly, but it takes a while before it sets.

This gives you enough time to clean it up or make amends, which is expected because mistakes are inevitable. You have 60 minutes until it sets and 24 hours before it cures.

Perhaps one thing you may not like is that you can’t apply stain over it. However, the premium glue is easy to sand over. You can also apply oil-based and water-based paint to it.

Another drawback is that you can only use this glue in temperatures above 55°F. However, with a shelf life of two years, you’ve got plenty of time to use it.

What We Liked Most

• It tacks quickly
• You have plenty of time to clean it up
• You can sand it easily
• Quick set wood glue
• It is water-resistant

What Could Be Improved

• You can’t apply stain over it
• It can only be used in temperatures above 55°F

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2. Editor’s Pick – Gorilla Wood Glue

Gorilla glue has been well documented as one of the strongest wood glues in the world, if not the strongest. This is a white glue that was originally meant for interior woodwork.

However, because it is very water-resistant (it passes the ANSI/HPVA Type II water resistance), it can also be used for exterior projects. This wood adhesive bonds hardwoods, softwood, natural wood composites, and anything in-between.

It is great for general carpentry, construction, and hobby projects. It also complies with FDA recommendations for indirect food contact, so you can use it for chopping boards.

One of the major advantages of Gorilla wood glue is that it sets in 20-30 minutes, so you don’t need to clamp it for too long, and it fully cures in 24 hours.

However, if you decide to thin the glue with a bit of water, it will take slightly longer to set and cure. Another reason we love this glue is that it can be used to attach other materials to wood, such as metal hence the best glue for wood to metal.

You can also use it in any weather. One problem you might have is cleaning the dispenser nozzle because the glue is too good.

What We Liked Most

• Works on any type of wood
• It can be used to join wood with other materials
• It can be used for interior and exterior projects
• Fast-setting wood glue
• You can use it at any temperature

What Could Be Improved

• The nozzle is hard to clean

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3. Best Clear Wood Glue for Crafts – Glue Masters Cyanoacrylate Super Glue

Next, we have an industrial-strength cyanoacrylate from Glue Masters. If you think their name is a bit braggy, they’ve certainly earned the right! There is a lot to love about this product, but the first for us is the options.

Glue Masters superglue comes in thin viscosity, medium viscosity, and thick viscosity. This allows you to choose the one most appropriate for your project. However, this is still CA wood glue, so even the thickest viscosity is still rather watery.

As you would expect from super glue, a small quantity of this is great for holding up wood, plastic, and other materials. This is one of the fastest glues on the market, with a set time of just 60 seconds.

It also dries clear, which makes it great for crafts and other small DIY projects. One drawback is that this is a chemical solvent, so you need to wear safety goggles and keep away from children.

What We Liked Most

• It comes with three viscosity options
• It sets quickly
• It has a fast cure time
• You can use it on different materials

What Could Be Improved

• It has a strong smell
• You need to wear goggles during application

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4. Best top-rated wood glue for Pros – Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue

We’re back with another Titebond. Franklin International calls this one the III Ultimate, and they definitely got the name right! This version has all of the advantages of the previous one on our list and enhanced some of these features.

The first major difference is the temperature requirement. You can use the Ultimate in temperatures above 45°F, which is 10 degrees less than Titebond II. This is a massive improvement, particularly for workers in colder regions.

Next, the manufacturer also boosted its water resistance. This version passes ANSI/HPVA Type I water resistance, making it even better for exterior use. The final difference is that this glue dries slightly quicker.

You get a 20-25 minute window before the glue sets. However, you still have the same challenge of it being difficult to stain.

That is why the Titebond III Ultimate is best for professional woodworkers. This heavy duty wood glue is so strong that it is unforgiving if you don’t work quickly.

What We Liked Most

• It works in a wider range of temperatures
• It is more water-resistant than other models
• You can use it for indirect food contact
• It’s the best wood glue for work desk
• Non-toxic, solvent-free

What Could Be Improved

• You can’t use this to glue wood and metal
• Not suitable

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5. Best CA Glue for Woodworking – Starbond EM-02 Super Fast Thin

Here’s a product that deserves extra credit for creativity. Starbond EM-02 Super Fast CA wood glue could have been content with being the best CA wood glue, but it went several steps further.

But before we get into the extras, let’s talk about its adhesive properties. This is super-thin glue that has nearly the same viscosity as water, making it one of the trickiest types of wood glue.

That is why the Starbond comes with extension tips for the most accurate glue placement possible. The EM-02 works great on wood, jewelry, metal, ceramic and more materials than any other CA glue.

You will enjoy using this for projects that are too small to be clamped down, as it cures in less than a minute. There are other excellent features about its sticking ability, but let’s get to the extras.

Starbond super glue is used by woodturners to apply a high gloss finish on pens. This creates a shiny, near-indestructible covering. Unlike other CA glues, you can also use this to repair cracks in wood.

This is exceptional, considering super glue is typically no match for large pieces of wood. Finally, you get a really long shelf-life (for wood glue) of 30 months, provided to store it properly.

What We Liked Most

• It has dynamic applications
• It sets and cures quickly
• It has a long shelf life
• It comes with extra wood glue applicators and extension tips

What Could Be Improved

• It is really watery
• It can’t hold large projects

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6. Best Glue for Mixed Materials – Weld Bond Multipurpose Wood Adhesive

So, we cheated a bit with this product because this isn’t technically wood glue. It is in act a multipurpose adhesive meant for different materials and applications; it works great as a sealant and a bonding agent.

However, we had to include it on our list because it is effective at holding wood together. Provided you’re not gluing end grain together, this is absolutely fantastic!

Just twenty minutes after application, Weld Bond sets – with the help of a clamp, of course. However, you don’t have to wait until it cures (it takes 24 hours) before you can apply the stain.

When it is dry, you can sand it and paint over it without seeing any blotches. You can use this adhesive on nearly any type of wood except oily wood, and it will hold it stronger than the wood itself.

What we also love is that you can glue other materials to wood, and we mean large pieces for practical use, not just DIY crafts. If you make a mistake with this, you can clean it up with water.

Weld Bond does not release any fumes, making it environmentally friendly. While it is more expensive than some other top brands, it is worth every cent.

What We Liked Most

• It works with different materials
• You can apply stain and paint over it
• It emits low VOCs
• You can clean it with water

What Could Be Improved

• It is slightly more expensive than its competitors

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7. Best wood glue for cabinets – Elmer’s E7310 Carpenter’s Wood Glue Max

When a company has been making glue for over sixty years, you’d expect them to be great at it and Elmer’s wood glue delivers! They have a few outstanding wood glues, but our favorite is the E7310 Wood Glue Max.

The E7310 bonds stronger than the wood itself, meaning if you try to pull the wood apart, it will break before the glue. It is also a great interior/exterior wood glue. This Max glue passed the ANSI Type 1 waterproof test.

This makes Elmer’s E7310 one of the few best waterproof wood glue, not just water-resistant. It is also heat-resistant, making it perfect for a wide range of woodworking applications.

Perhaps one of the best features is that this dries clear, you can sand over it and best of all, you can stain it. If you make a mistake you can clean it with water, but you need to do so within the first twenty minutes.

One last thing we love about the glue with the orange cap is that it is non-toxic and it doesn’t release any harmful fumes.

What We Liked Most

• It is waterproof
• It is non-toxic
• It is sandable and paintable
• Great for exterior use

What Could Be Improved

• The glue is quite thick

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8. Best glue for wood furniture repair – Titebond Genuine Hide Glue

There was a time when everyone wanted to get their hands on hide glue. For reasons good and bad, this is no longer the case. However, if you repair antiques, you would be excited if you found this product.

The first thing Franklin International got right with the Titebond Genuine Hide Glue is that it is made for the direct finish, so you don’t need to heat it up before application.

You also get up to 60 minutes to work, which is perfect when working on delicate projects. Once the leather glue cures, which takes about a day, you can paint over it.

If you are not happy with the bond, you can reverse it by applying heat or water vapor. While this is a handy feature, it also means that Titebond Hide Glue isn’t as strong as some others on our list.

It also has a short shelf life of just six months, so try not to buy a size too big.

What We Liked Most

• You don’t need to heat it before application
• The strongest wood glue for furniture repair
• It has a long assembly time
• You can paint over it
• You can undo the glue at any time

What Could Be Improved

• It doesn’t have the strongest bond
• It has a short shelf life

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9. Best Polyurethane Glue – Franklin Titebond Polyurethane Glue

Finally, we come to the first and only polyurethane wood glue on our list. Much like hide wood glue, polyurethane wood glue is not very common for woodworking. Similarly, it comes in very handy for the right project.

The Titebond Polyurethane Glue for wood forms a waterproof bond in just 45 minutes, clamped down, of course. The bond is so strong that you can even apply water to one side of the wood and it will still be waterproof.

As a result, you can use this flexible wood glue to stick nearly any material, whether indoors or outdoors. When it sticks, there is still a bit of leeway, which makes it perfect for projects that expand and shrink.

Once the glue dries, you can stain or paint it afterward and get a perfect finish. While this is a great product, you need to handle it with care. Polyurethane is toxic, so it emits a strong odor.

You also need to be very careful during application. You must wear gloves and safety goggles. If the glue gets in contact with your skin, you need mineral spirits to take it out. If you follow the instructions properly, you’ll be very happy with this product.

What We Liked Most

• It is waterproof
• It dries hard yet flexible
• You can paint over it
• It sticks to almost anything

What Could Be Improved

• It is toxic
• You must wear protective equipment

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What is the best wood glue for furniture making?

Education: How to Choose the Best Wood Glues for Woodworking

When it comes to wood glue, there are a lot of options available on the market. So, which one should you choose for your project? Can you use even hardwood glues on softwoods? Read on to find out;

Glue bond strength

This is why you want wood glue in the first place, so there is no better place to start. Most wood glues are stronger than the wood itself, so your choice will also come down to your project.

For example, if you’re working on crafts, you don’t necessarily need the strongest glue. In this scenario, CA glue would be ideal. However, if you’re building a bookshelf, you might need Gorilla glue or Titebond Polyurethane.

Stainability and Color

If you’re working on a project that requires stain, this will limit your options slightly. In this case, Weld Bond, Elmer’s Glue and Titebond Polyurethane are your best options.

Titebond Ultimate and Gorilla Glue are great if you just want to paint over the work without staining.

Water-resistance

Many wood projects need a fair amount of water resistance, while a handful need something waterproof.

If you’re going to use the project outdoors, Gorilla Glue, Elmer’s, and Titebond Polyurethane are your best options. You can also use Titebond III, though it isn’t as good outdoors as poly glue.

Recommend Reading: How to join boards together

Toxicity

When looking for the best adhesive for wood, many woodworkers often overlook this factor. Wood glue gives off really strong odors that can be harmful to your respiratory system, and it can be bad for the environment.

Titebond Polyurethane excels in other areas but fails woefully in this category. CA wood glues are also a bit toxic. PVA wood glue is your best bet if toxicity is important to you.

Drying time

Wood glue dry time is the last consideration here. One of the advantages of glue over nails and screws is the quick application time. However, it defeats the aim when it takes too long to dry.

As important as this is, we put it last because the products on our list have roughly the same drying time. The PVA glues need at most 60 minutes to fully set, but they all need 24 hours to cure, including the poly, hide, and CA wood glues.

FAQs

What is the strongest wood glue?

Polyurethane wood glue is the strongest wood glue in the world. In independent strength tests, it has been shown to be stronger than other wood glues, making it the ideal choice for bonding wood together. Whether you’re making a piece of furniture or repairing a broken item, this wood glue is the best option.

What is the best gap filling wood glue?

The best gap filling wood glue is epoxy. It dries hard and clear, so it won’t be noticeable once you apply it. Epoxy also bonds well to wood and holds the pieces together securely. Its power to hold and bond is because epoxy is made of resin and a hardener that mix during application.

What is the best glue to make wood filler

Epoxy is the best glue to make wood filler. It’s strong and durable, meaning, it can hold your repair together well. Epoxy also dries clear and you hardly see the repair once it’s complete. The most important note is to ensure you mix epoxy thoroughly, otherwise, it will remain sticky and never fully harden.

What is the best exterior wood glue?

Polyurethane wood glue is the best exterior wood glue. It’s a durable, flexible, and weather-resistant type of wood adhesive. While it takes more time to set than other kinds of glue, polyurethane produces a stronger bond that can withstand extreme temperatures and humidity levels. You’ll find the glue in either liquid or gel form.

What is the best wood glue for outdoor use?

Outdoor wood glue that is the best is polyurethane. Overall, polyurethane adhesives are very strong, durable and specifically designed for outdoor use. It forms an extremely strong bond and is resistant to both water and UV radiation. Some of the outdoor projects you can use the glue for include fences, decks, and garden furniture.

Best Woodworking Glue Summary

Who would have thought that the strongest wood glue wasn’t necessarily the best glue for wood? Well, we did, but we hate to brag.

Remember that in choosing the right glue to stick wood, make sure its other qualities are also taken into consideration.

That is why the best wood glue is Gorilla wood glue. It is one of the strongest on our list, but it is also easy to clean, sets quickly, is non-toxic, water-resistant, and can be used to attach other materials to wood.

Remember that in order to make the glue stick, you need to clamp it down. Well, unless you know how to glue wood together without clamps.