Gluing up exotics?

[Trey1984]

Was wondering if when gluing exotics ( cutting boards is what I'm gluing up ) if I need to wipe the surface with mineral spirits or anything else? The reason asking is because on 2 boards I made there was hair line gap on the end of 2 different cutting boards and both hair line gaps was on the glue joint where one side of the joint was yellow heart and on the other was walnut. On the other cutting board the gap was between yellow heart and pecan. Had no problems no where else. Thanks

 

[Graywolf]

Try wiping things down with denatured alcohol that will reduce the oils from the woods preventing the glues bonding and drying well.

 

[bob vaughan]

Wiping with lacquer thinner to wipe off potential oils is the suggestion I heard years ago. I've used that often when I'm doing things with oily exotics, particularly teak. It works. I think mineral spirits run the risk of leaving an oily residue.

Acetone is probably best, but that stuff evaporates so fast, its hard to use on long surfaces.

 

[Rushton]

James King, King Fine Woodworking, builds a lot of his stuff with exotics. He strong recommends RUBBING down with acetone first. And he encourages vigorous rubbing to remove the oils. Then he simply uses Titebond PVA. A local woodworker ran his own tests of wiping with acetone, wiping with denatured alcohol, not wiping, and using different glues. His confirmed to himself that James' recommendation is spot on.

 

[petebucy4638]

James King, King Fine Woodworking, builds a lot of his stuff with exotics. He strong recommends RUBBING down with acetone first. And he encourages vigorous rubbing to remove the oils. Then he simply uses Titebond PVA. A local woodworker ran his own tests of wiping with acetone, wiping with denatured alcohol, not wiping, and using different glues. His confirmed to himself that James' recommendation is spot on.

Acetone and denatured alcohol, in my experience, are both pretty good degreasers. I have tended to use denatured alcohol for gluing up exotics. I never had a problem; maybe I just got lucky.

 

[red]

I use denatured alcohol and never had an issue. If in doubt about the wood, wipe it down.

Red

 

[Trey1984]

I use denatured alcohol and never had an issue. If in doubt about the wood, wipe it down.

Red

Yeah I'm going to start wiping down just so don't have to worry about it. I have denatured alcohol so going to give it try.