using gorilla glue

J

jared

Guest
ive been using gorilla glue to attach my handle scales to full tang handles and have had very good results, but i always here about the full time makers always using epoxy. i just always had more trouble than anything with it. any thoughts on this
 
I just started using gorilla super glue on smaller knives, how do you prevent the ooze from getting all over the tang, or do you just refinish this area afterwords? I hate the epoxy but use it anyway, I have a whole tube of gorilla glue in the shop, would love to use it.
 
I have just switched to gorrila super glue and have good results . I had various epoxy s fail so IM trying it. So far really good on all the different things ive glued horn , mother of pearl , abolonie composite, wood and g11. Knothing has let loose or showed signs of weakness. I do clamp it and leave it for some time but overall 15 min on pins. kellyw
 
i dont know of anyway to keep the ooze down. when i glue my handles up they are not finished at that time so i dont give the ooze too much thought
 
If the ooze really only matters on the front of the scales (and the ricasso area), have you tried leaving 1/4" or so at the front without the glue there? The glue should fill that area while you clamp the piece, and the tighter you clamp it, the less foam there is (except from squirted out glue) so if you keep an eye for the first ten or so minutes on the front, you can probably pretty much wipe the foam off before it hardens.
 
The "oozing" with Gorilla glue is part of the product's make up...it's intended to expand and "fill". The reason that many makers do not like it is because it has a tendency to either move the handle material as it cures, or causes "glue lines". It's a really great adhesive, but it's drawbacks for knifemakers sometimes overshadow it's hold qualities. I keep it in the shop, but it doesn't get used on knives for the reasons I sited.
 
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thanks everyone for your input. learned more since i joined this month than i have in the last 6 mos. in my books
 
Hope Tracy sees this. He is a distributor and I am thinking they have a clear formula and one that doesn't expand as much.
 
the foam of gorilla glue (or any urethane adhesive) has no strength at all. you can scrape it away with your finger nail. One of the drawbacks of urethane glue is it expands and you will need to clean it up before it dries or cures if it it expands where you don't want it. this will take 20 or so minutes of "tending" it as it sets up. there is a white version of gorilla glue but it will still foam.
 
I'm just a newbie and have never used Acra Glas in a knife build, but I have used it many times in gunsmithing and it is great. It will be what I use for scales and such.

Bill
 
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