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TiteBond vs Gorilla Glue, HomeFixated Style Mythbusting

Ty July 20, 2010 10 Comments

I freakin’ love Discovery’s Mythbusters.  That show is pretty awesome.  They get to build stuff, blow up stuff, make robots, and have a super huge shop with pretty much every tool imaginable.  They have even gotten drunk on some episodes.  Pretty sweet setup.  If you could get past the fact that Jaime seems sometimes…er…gruff–I think it would be a pretty cool gig.  It kind of got me thinking…I need to start a bit of DIY busting.  You know–test all the myths of home building so you don’t have to.  (Plus, they lack a decent carpenter on the show.  Some of the buildings they construct–just to blow up could use a bit of pro.  HINT).

So–my “myth” started out of just a straight-up lack of ideas for anything decent to tell you–and secondly because I am one of those “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” kind of fellows.  Mostly–because even if it is sorta broke–I still don’t want to fix it.  This harkens back to my Big Three B’s of summer.  I’d much rather drink adult beverages and catch a ball game on the official transportation of HF:  The Lawnmoweravision.  I’m pretty well stuck in what I know works, and so I tend to ride it out despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.  It’s the Irish/Scandinavian heritage I tell you.  We’re never wrong.  About anything.

Also–I had to check out the power on the recently reviewed Jack Clamps and try and break them.  It’s my job.  Thus–I give you Fixated Myth #1:

Titebond II vs. Gorilla Glue.  Mystical Wood Ninja Wayne introduced me to Titebond–and I’ve used it exclusively.  MYN Wayne claims that the actual wood will break before the Titebond joint will–you don’t argue with The Wayne.  Some of you will recall my Harbor Freight Tools article/review and remember that I mentioned picking up some bottles of Gorilla Glue on the cheap.  So, in full disclosure I am biased toward the Titebond.  As I write–the experiment is not completed–so I do not know how it will turn out.  Here is the set up:

Using the same piece of lumber, I cut 7 3/4” lengths, and small “posts” for each end.  The reason I cut the post this way, is that is the smallest the Jack Clamp will get while set in the opposite directions.  I intend to use the Jack Clamp to spread the two different test joints–and see which one gives way first.  Or breaks the clamp.  Or explodes.

Unfortnately…I didn’t have Kari or even Grant to help with my build–so I just had to wing it.  My editor informed me the HomeFixated budget doesn’t currently have allocation for minions. Sigh. Anyway, I tried to remain true to the “science” of the experiment.  I first used the Titebond on one joint, and then the Gorilla on the next joint.  I alternated the glues so one wouldn’t have more time to set up.  I then clamped the pieces together, and stored them together for the curing process of 24 hours.  I even used two seperate glue brushes to avoid any cross contamination.  I tell you–there is no length I will not go to to give you: the Fixaters, a true test of one wood glue versus the other.  This could mean the different between a piece of trim that stays on for 70 versus 71 years.  Important things to know.

The Amazing & Dramatic Conclusion:

After sitting in my garage–clamped together per manufacturer’s instructions for the allotted 24 hour period…I conducted the strength tests on my pieces.  The exciting results?

Gorilla Glue broke at a distance of: 8 3/8 inches.  Interestingly enough–the glue broke at the joint, and made a clean break.

Titebond II broke at a distance of: 8 1/4 inches.  The Titebond definitely ripped pieces of the wood out–but broke at a not-so-astounding 1/8 of an inch different than the Gorilla Glue.

The Jack Clamp performed as advertised, and if it wasn’t an inanimate object–would have yawned at the “strain” I put it under with my highly scientific “test”.

The real conclusion that I draw from this entire experiment is that either glue will perform admirably if asked to do it’s job, and not be put under the type of load I put on it.  Also–I have entirely too much scrap wood, glue, clamps, and time on my hands…

I also doubt that Discovery is frothing at the mouth to get me in for a screen test. But just in case they are, send us an email. Your hollywood money goes a long way here in Montana. You can find both Titebond and Gorilla Glue at our sponsor Rockler.

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Filed Under: DIY Discussion, Resources, Woodworking Tagged With: gorilla glue, hand tools, titebond, wood glue

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Comments

  1. Steph says

    August 14, 2017 at 11:54 am

    I noticed the titebond II is a bit runnier than gorilla glue, therefore taking longer to set up. So my preference is the gorilla glue.

    Reply
  2. Bill McStay says

    December 1, 2016 at 12:40 pm

    What would you recommend for building Balsa Wood Ship Models (They never will see water) Titebond Adhesive or Gorilla Glue

    Reply
  3. Robert Bates says

    March 19, 2011 at 11:14 am

    This is the first time Ive seen this site. Congratulations, I have learned that each manufacturer has different products. Never noticed but have used both not knowing I may have been using different formulations. Thankyou for the informational comments

    Reply
  4. Ray Eytcheson says

    November 15, 2010 at 9:52 am

    I appreciate your report on strengths of both glues.
    BUT I must disagree that there is such a thing as too many clamps. Every woodworker comes to a project, where “just a couple more clamps” is the solution

    Reply
    • Marc says

      November 16, 2010 at 11:48 pm

      Point well taken Ray!

      Reply
  5. Mike says

    October 9, 2010 at 12:06 am

    First off – great fun post. In your photo you show TiteBond II (better than TiteBond original) and Gorilla Wood Glue (water based, different than original Gorilla glue which is polyurethane). I’d like to see how the original Gorilla glue stacks up some time.

    Reply
    • Marc says

      October 13, 2010 at 10:03 pm

      Good clarifying point Mike, thanks!

      Reply
    • Ty says

      October 26, 2010 at 6:04 pm

      Good call, Mike. I have both–just awaiting the release of funds from the Home Fixated coffers for just such a test! 😉

      Reply
  6. Dave Griessmann says

    July 20, 2010 at 11:06 am

    Being a HUUUUGGGEEE Mythbusters fan I have to say I really enjoyed this post. (especially since MB is in the re-run season!)

    It made me chuckle while also making me think of other things to do besides burn my scrap in the winter!

    I did find it interesting that the GG piece broke at the joint & was a clean break. (I’ve never been a fan of that glue!)

    I look forward to your next Myth!

    Reply

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