# Thin Wood Glues **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 19, 2004, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thin-wood-glues/235270 "2004-03-19T19:50:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![blasphmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@blasphmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blasphmer)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thin-wood-glues/235270/1 "2004-03-19T19:50:08Z")
Ok, so I have the thick old yeller Elmer’s stuff. I’m trying to build a small boat with thin wood planking. I’m the type that gets glue oozing around my work and permeating the “finished” side of the wood so that the stain won’t penetrate the wood in that spot. I’d like a thinner wood glue that I can work easier with , kinda like super glue. Anyone make such glue? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thin-wood-glues/235270/2 "2004-03-19T20:04:21Z")
I find the thickness of Elmer’s (the yellow glue is nothing more than ordinary Elmer’s cassein glue with yellow dye added) to be an asset, since it doesn’t run. The trick is to learn to use less of it. It’s very strong, and doesn’t require a large amount to make a solid joint. In a high-school drafting class project, we each had to make a bridge using only toothpicks and Elmer’s glue. I used the glue very sparingly and made a bridge out of triangles that held 50 pounds–the class record for that year. An attempt by another student was basically a mass of glue and toothpicks. I forget at what weight it failed, but it was only on the order of five or ten pounds. If you really do need thinner glue, you can dilute it with a bit of water, but this will increase drying time. ---
**Author:** ![CBEscapee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thin-wood-glues/235270/3 "2004-03-19T20:39:21Z")
> [@](#): > > (the yellow glue is nothing more than ordinary Elmer’s cassein glue with yellow dye added) Actually Elmer’s Yellow glue is polyvinyl acetate resin and has no animal content such as casein or hide glue. Here’s a good article on woodworking glue: [Guide to Glues](http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00010.asp) ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thin-wood-glues/235270/4 "2004-03-19T22:23:13Z")
You might try Tacky Glue® They make just what you’re describing. There are several types, one is called easy flow or something like that. You may have to put on a disguise and go into a fabric store 🙂 That’s where I’ve found it. ---
**Author:** ![bsane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@bsane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bsane)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thin-wood-glues/235270/5 "2004-03-19T23:11:24Z")
If your building a boat, then none of the PVA (white or yellow carpenters glue) glues will work well. The most advanced like Titebond II might work in water, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Epoxy may be the best choice, its not affected by water, and you can get it as thin or thick as needed. If this was something for use indoors I would have recommended liquid hide glue. Its very easy to work with, and the sqeeze out cleans up easy and generally won’t interfere with finishes. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2004, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thin-wood-glues/235270/6 "2004-03-20T00:24:26Z")
> [@CBEscapee](#): > > Actually Elmer’s Yellow glue is polyvinyl acetate resin and has no animal content such as casein or hide glue. That’s interesting. I had always been told that white glues were PVA and yellow wood glues were aliphatic resin. I’ve seen yellow glues like Titebond listed as both. Are the terms interchangable? Roger that on Epoxy for boats. CA - wacky glue - is terrific for wood model airplane structures but I wouldn’t suggest it for boat plankning. ---
**Author:** ![CBEscapee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2004, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thin-wood-glues/235270/7 "2004-03-20T01:12:03Z")
From the article I linked to above: “Both white and yellow glues are PVAs. “Aliphatic resin” is a meaningless marketing term coined to help identify yellow glue as a distinct product.” ---
**Author:** ![daffyduck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ec9cab/32.png) [@daffyduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/daffyduck)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2004, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thin-wood-glues/235270/8 "2004-03-20T02:39:34Z")
Boat builders have been using resorcinol glues for decades. You can get it in powdered form and mix it to the consistency you want (more or less). Whatever glue you use, if it doesn’t specifically say that it is waterproof, then I think you would be making a huge mistake.