Q:
I want to build a garden bench out of ipé, and I’ll have to laminate some pieces. Given the density and natural oils of ipé, what type of glue should I use? And would it help to apply acetone to the surface prior to glue-up?
Paul Clark, Springdale, AR
A:
Use a waterproof PVA glue. In our recent test of different glues (“How Strong Is Your Glue?” FWW #192), the strongest of three waterproof glues tested on ipé was Type I PVA.
For a glue to be certified by the American National Standards Institute as Type I (waterproof) PVA, the joint must survive being boiled for four hours, dried in an oven at 150ºF, boiled for another four hours, and then cooled in water just prior to testing. This extreme test is designed to simulate the many cycles of hot and cold, wet and dry, that woodwork will undergo outdoors.
Other than choosing the right glue, there are two things you can do during glue-up to reduce the chances of joint failure.
First, rather than just wiping the surface to be glued with acetone, which can draw more oil to the surface as it evaporates, lightly sand it with P220-grit sandpaper just before applying the glue.
Second, since dense tropical woods require extra force during glue-up (see “Get Serious About Clamping,” FWW #194), use as many clamps as you can, particularly when laminating large surfaces.
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in