A workshop in Chicago made me rethink my whole glue-up process

I was at a two-day workshop at the Chicago Center for Book and Paper Arts last fall. The instructor, a binder named Elena, watched me apply PVA for a case binding and just said, 'You're using way too much, and it's too wet.' She showed me how to use a thinner layer, almost dry to the touch, and wait a full 90 seconds before joining the pieces. I tried it on the spot and the bond was stronger with zero warp. Now I'm paranoid I've been making my books weak for years. Has anyone else switched to a 'dryer' glue method and seen a big difference?

3 comments

3 Comments

davis.adam11d ago

My woodworking club had the same revelation about glue last month.

the_susan10d ago

That "way too much, and it's too wet" line hits home. My friend who does model building was having trouble with warped balsa wood. His mentor told him to spread the glue so thin it looked almost transparent, then count to sixty before pressing. He said the joints got way stronger and everything stayed perfectly straight.

terryk289d ago

Elena's right about that wait time... letting the glue get tacky is key. I switched to a thin coat with a small roller, and my boards stopped cupping overnight. @the_susan's friend has the right idea with that transparent layer, it's the same principle for paper or wood.