Wood glue dry time chart
Open time, clamp time, full cure and the lowest working temperature for common wood glues. Every figure is the maker's own, for its own product, at the conditions it states; a dash means the maker does not print that figure.
What the columns mean
Open time is how long spread glue can sit before the parts go together. Total assembly time is how long you have until the clamps must be on. Clamp time is how long the joint stays clamped, and full cure is when the glue reaches full strength. The makers' times are at the temperature and humidity they name; Franklin and Gorilla both say conditions and the wood's moisture change them.
The chart
| Glue | Kind | Open time | Clamp | Full cure | Lowest temperature | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titebond Original One source: Franklin International (Titebond), the maker of that product | PVA (yellow and white wood glue) | 4–6 mintotal assembly 10–15 min | — | — | 50 °F (10 °C) | Not intended for exterior use or where moisture is likely |
| Titebond II Premium One source: Franklin International (Titebond), the maker of that product | PVA (yellow and white wood glue) | 3–5 mintotal assembly 10–15 min | — | — | 55 °F (13 °C) | ANSI/HPVA Type II (water-resistant) |
| Titebond III Ultimate One source: Franklin International (Titebond), the maker of that product | PVA (yellow and white wood glue) | 8–10 mintotal assembly 20–25 min | — | — | 47 °F (8 °C) | ANSI/HPVA Type I (waterproof) |
| Gorilla Wood Glue One source: Gorilla Glue Company, the maker of that product | PVA (yellow and white wood glue) | — | 20–30 min | 24 h | 55 °F (13 °C) | ANSI/HPVA Type II (water-resistant) |
| Gorilla Wood Glue Ultimate One source: Gorilla Glue Company, the maker of that product | PVA (yellow and white wood glue) | 15 min | 20–30 min | 24 h | 50 °F (10 °C) | ANSI/HPVA Type I (waterproof) |
| Titebond Liquid Hide Glue One source: Franklin International (Titebond), the maker of that product | Liquid hide glue | 10 mintotal assembly 20–30 min | — | — | 50 °F (10 °C) | Not intended for exterior use or where moisture is likely |
| Original Gorilla Glue One source: Gorilla Glue Company, the maker of that product | Polyurethane glue | — | 60–120 min | 24 h | 40 °F (4 °C) | ANSI/HPVA Type I (waterproof) |
| WEST SYSTEM 105/205 (fast) One source: Gougeon Brothers (WEST SYSTEM), the maker of that product | Epoxy | 60–70 min | — | 24–96 hto working strength (1–4 days); solid in 6–8 hours | 40 °F (4 °C) | Moisture-resistant, by the maker |
| WEST SYSTEM 105/206 (slow) One source: Gougeon Brothers (WEST SYSTEM), the maker of that product | Epoxy | 90–110 min | — | — | — | Moisture-resistant, by the maker |
PVA glue across makers
Clamp time, unstressed joint
35 min
span 20–60 min
Only two sources publish this: Franklin International (Titebond) and Gorilla Glue Company
Full cure
24 h
both makers print 24 hours
Only two sources publish this: Franklin International (Titebond) and Gorilla Glue Company
Franklin adds that a stressed joint (a bent lamination, parts that spring apart) should stay clamped for 24 hours, and that no new joint should be stressed for 24 hours. Only two makers publish these figures, so the tag names both and the number is their mean.