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Craftsmen Hardwoods has been a distributor of Titebond glue for several years. When it comes to glue for the woodworking industry, Titebond has risen to the top in terms of quality and brand recognition.

Whether you shop at Home Depot, Home Hardware, or your local woodworking supplier, the odds are that they will be selling Titebond glue as their primary adhesive. With so many options at your fingertips, it can be daunting to decide which type of adhesive will work best for your project. My hope is that I can shed some light on what Craftsmen carries and the uniqueness of those types to better help you make an informed decision.

Before we delve into the different types and specs., there are a few general comments and terms we should define. First is Open Time. Open Time refers to the amount of time you have once the glue is applied to bond your pieces together before the glue starts to set. Second is Total Assembly Time.

This refers to the total time of initially applying the glue to needing to bond the parts and apply pressure. In general, you should allow at least 30 minutes of clamping or pressure time to ensure the glue sets, and the longer the better.   

1. White - Titebond White Glue is an exceptionally strong, economical white glue that sets faster than most other comparable glues. Its versatile formula is ideal for general woodworking applications, as well as many other porous and semi-porous materials. Titebond White Glue provides a strong initial tack and sets fast to reduce clamp time. It provides a translucent glue line, offers excellent sandability and is unaffected by finishes. Titebond White Glue is easy to use, non-toxic and cleans up with water.

• General woodworking
• 5-minute open time and 10–15-minute total assembly time
• Excellent sandability
• 24-month shelf life
• Available in 1 gallon and 5 gallons

2. Carpenters - Titebond Carpenters Glue is a fast setting, economical product that produces professional results. It stands up to heat and solvents and offers good sandability. Titebond Carpenters Glue is the number one preference of woodworkers because of its diversity of applications. Titebond Carpenters Glue is easy to use, non-toxic and cleans up with water.

• General woodworking
• 5-minute open time and 5-minute total assembly time
• Heat resistant
• Excellent sandability
• 24-month shelf life
• Available in 5-gallon pails and 55-gallon drums

3. Original - Titebond Original Wood Glue is the industry standard for woodworking. It provides a strong initial tack and fast speed of set to reduce clamp time. It also develops a bond stronger than the wood itself, offers excellent sandability and is unaffected by finishes. Titebond Original can help any woodworker achieve professional-looking results. It is ideal for wood, hardboard, particleboard, leather, cloth, and most other porous materials.

Titebond Original is easy to use, non-toxic and cleans up with water.

• General woodworking
• 5-minute open time and 10–15-minute total assembly time
• Excellent sandability
• 24-month shelf life
• Available in 16 oz bottles, 1-gallon jugs, and 5-gallon pails

4. Titebond 2 - Titebond II Premium Wood Glue is the only leading brand, one-part wood glue that passes the ANSI Type II water-resistance specification. It is ideal for exterior woodworking projects, including outdoor furniture, birdhouses, mailboxes, planters, and picnic tables. Titebond II Premium provides a strong initial tack, fast speed of set, superior strength and excellent sandability. It is FDA approved for indirect food contact (cutting boards) and is ideal for radio frequency (R-F) gluing systems.

Also available as a dark glue to blend easier with dark woods and finishes.

• General woodworking
• Safe for indirect food contact (cutting boards)
• Good for exterior applications
• 5-minute open time and 10–15-minute total assembly
• 24-month shelf life
• Available in 16 oz bottles, 1-gallon jugs, 5-gallon pails, and 55-gallon drums
• Titebond 2 Dark available in 1-gallon jugs

5. Titebond 3 - Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue is the first one-part, water cleanup wood glue ever offered that is proven waterproof. The waterproof formula passes the ANSI/HPVA Type I water-resistance specification and offers superior bond strength, longer open assembly time and lower application temperature. Titebond III is non-toxic, solvent free and cleans up with water - safer to use than traditional waterproof wood glues. It provides strong initial tack, sands easily without softening and is FDA approved for indirect food contact (cutting boards). The ultimate in wood glues - ideal for both interior and exterior applications.

• General woodworking
• Great for indirect food contact (cutting boards)
• Great for exterior applications, water resistant
• Excellent sandability
• 10-minute open time and 20–25-minute total assembly time
• 24-month shelf life
• Available in 16 oz bottles, 1-gallon jugs, 5-gallon pails

6. Melamine - Titebond Melamine Glue is designed for bonding wood, particleboard, MDF and other porous substrates to synthetic materials such as melamine, vinyl and HPL as well as metals. It offers a fast initial tack yet has a longer open time that allows for the accurate alignment of working materials. Titebond Melamine Glue is a water-based adhesive that is non-flammable, has low odor, dries clear and cleans up with water.

Its thicker formulation offers fewer runs and drips, making it easier to use and more effective for precise assemblies.

• Use for bonding to MDF, particle board, melamine
• 5-minute open time and 10–15-minute total assembly
• 24-month shelf life
• Available in 1-gallon jugs

7. Quick and Thick - Titebond Quick & Thick Multi-Surface Glue is the thickest, fastest-drying water-based glue available for use with porous and semi-porous materials. It is ideal for wood, pottery, ceramic, stone, glass, fabrics, leather, and most craft-type materials. Titebond Quick & Thick Multi-Surface Glue provides a strong initial tack and fast speed of set yet allows realignment of working pieces.

It also develops a bond stronger than the wood itself, dries clear and is unaffected by finishes.

• Great for trim and moulding applications
• Bonds various materials
• 3–5-minute open time and 10–15-minute total assembly
• 24-month shelf life
• Available in 16 oz bottles

In addition to the variety of quality glues, Craftsmen also supplies a few related products. Bates Glue Release is a temporary protective coating that prevents glue from adhering to machinery and other surfaces, leading to less labor and equipment down-time for cleaning.

BATES Glue Release is applied to machinery in cold gluing operations and is available in 1-gallon cans. Craftsmen also stocks refillable bottles and bottle caps, silicone glue brush. One of the newest additions to our adhesive line is Akfix-705 Fast Adhesive. This is a 2-part adhesive that includes the adhesive and an activator. Make sure to work quick as this glue is a real instant bond!

As always, if you have any questions or would like to place and order, feel free to reach out through the website or give us a call!