DON'T USE SUPER GLUE! Try This Instead..(Epoxy Adhesive/5-Minute Epoxy/Epoxy Glue)

Check Out Our FREE GUIDE: *25 Must-Have Carpentry Tools...Under $25 Each!*

AFFILIATE TOOL/MATERIAL LINKS:
Loctite 5-min Epoxy (Self-Mixing Nozzle):
Gorilla 5-min Epoxy (2-Pack):
JB Weld 5-min Epoxy PRO SIZE:
Devcon 5-min Epoxy PRO SIZE:
JB Weld Plastic Bonder:
Loctite Metal/Concrete Epoxy:
Loctite Marine Epoxy:

(These are affiliate links. When you shop through these links, we receive a small commission at NO EXTRA CHARGE TO YOU. We greatly appreciate the support!)

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
FOLLOW US ON LINKEDIN:

Check Out Our Other Videos:
THIS TOOL HELPS RESTORE DOORS AND WINDOWS!:
USE A MITER SAW AS A RADIAL ARM SAW:

DON'T USE SUPER GLUE! Try This Instead..(Epoxy Adhesive/5-Minute Epoxy/Epoxy Glue)

Many people turn to super glue for small household repairs. And super glue is good...but there's something better for many applications. This short video from The Honest Carpenter will teach you all about fast-setting epoxy adhesives!

EPOXY ADHESIVES are two-part adhesive compounds. They generally consist of a RESIN and a HARDENER.

When you mix the two parts together, they undergo a chemical reaction, and a very strong bond is formed!

This bond is measured in TENSILE STRENGTH.

The average strength of many domestic epoxies is 1500 PSI to 4000 PSI.

Epoxies are often categorized by the amount of time it takes them to set. 5-minute epoxies are very common and popular.

To use 5-minute epoxies, simply break off the cap (save it) and push the syringe plungers to eject the two chemicals. Mix them in the supplied plastic mixing tray with a small piece of wood or plastic.

(Use gloves and goggles for safety when doing this!)

Swirl the two epoxy chemicals together thoroughly, then trowel them onto the area you want to repair or attach. Bond your desired components.

You'll often need to keep some pressure on the repair for several minutes. You can do this with finger pressure, or possibly small clamps if you can place them.

Though cold temperatures can slow things down, a decent bond should be formed in roughly 5 minutes. Now, let the repair further harden and cure for a full day and night. You'll have a repair that is incredibly strong.

Thanks for watching!

Be sure to visit us at The Honest Carpenter Website:

[davidjennings]

I started using epoxy years ago when I was making golf clubs as a hobby. I realized then that it fit so many home repairs/projects and have used it ever since.

[eyedrz]

Great video. Been restoring houses, furniture and cars for over 40 years. I love this stuff so much, I buy it by the gallon and never argue the price. $50 of epoxy has saved me thousands of dollars in repairs. Many times.

[WillNGo]

I built a couple of wood core (red cedar strip) kayaks, used a lot of epoxy. Incredibly versatile and strong bonds. A couple of tricks. First as you use the small epoxy kits, the 5 minute stuff, you might want to step up to West Systems or Raka (there's one other that's also good). These epoxies are liquids made to go on thin. You thicken epoxy for different uses. You add powders to the epoxies to thicken them. The Heavy thickeners are used to mount hardware, like boat cleats, and the super light fluffy stuff for 'fairing' this is when you need to fill a depression in the surface of your boat. It's not very strong and it sands more easily.
For the 5 minute epoxies here's a trick. Just use flour, I used instant pancake mix, these are basically inert and mixed in with the epoxy they work exactly like the WestSystems fillers. Zero issues of rotting, absorbing water....
Now when you need something to set up quick - that 5 minutes. Then mix it and leave it in a clump and it'll 'go off' at the predicted time. If you use a filler and you're in a hurry, let it sit for part of the time and then mix the filler. If you want to delay the setting time then mix the filler as soon as you mix the two parts and it will delay it. If you mix a big batch and leave it in a cup it goes off much more quickly than if you spread it or put it into multiple cups.
Epoxy smells 'nutty', but is actually carcinogenic. The resin part is 90% BP-A the plastic that acts like estrogen and causes cancer. Once it's set, it's inert. It used to be recommended for baby furniture and food surfaces - but not for at least ten years. (Keep this in mind about all plastic. I think the only standard for 'Nalgene' is to say it's safe - I only drink out of stainless steel. If I get say a Smart Water Bottle to refill while traveling, as soon as it gets a bit worn or creased I get rid of it.)
I learned to always wear latex or nitrile gloves, long sleeves and a respirator - but I was working with large volumes. You could do the whole container of 5 minute and you'll be okay. Wear the gloves though, it's sticky and difficult to get off your skin. Wet - it can itch and cause a rash, and one guy I heard about didn't wear a mask as he went through a boat building training course - he got certified but couldn't work anywhere near epoxy any more. Don't sand partially set epoxy -this seems to be the current big warning. I guess the dust from this would be the most toxic. And once it's set, and you sand it wear a respirator. You would never say, "Hey got any extra birth control pills? give me a random number of them to swallow."
To clean up epoxy just use vinegar.
That hook on the board? I'd rough up the back of the hardware, and the board. Because the board has a small area for the epoxy, I'd lay down some blue masking tape, cut out the shape of the hook backing and then I'd carve, drill a bit the wood. I'd also use thickened epoxy if I had a bunch of these to glue. (I've seen expensive sailboats being repaired and it was clear that the vinylester (similar to epoxy) was not properly prepared between coats - as they scraped it came off in layers. Epoxy done right will never ever do this. To bond two hulls together I had to epoxy a strip of fiberglass. To make this neat, I'd run a line of blue tape above and below the seam, lay down the glass strip overlapping onto the blue tape, then when it's soft but not set I cut along the edge of the blue tape then pull up the blue tape taking the rough edge of the glass. So plan to mask for drips instead of trying to clean it up later, run a sharp blade along the edge and pull the tape up when it's still soft.
And as epoxies go usually those 5 minute ones are considered second rate - but they're still plenty good for whatever you use them for. I use them. Hope this helps.

[ke]

I've got to say, this channel is just superb. You explain things with such clarity and just the right amount of detail without trading economy for minutia. Although there's a place for it, IMO too many channels focus on stuff 90% of people will never use. Ive been renovating my house for the past few months and repeatedly your channel has been so insightful (I particularly liked your videos on screws and essential power tools). You clearly know your stuff but what is really impressive is your ability to communicate this knowledge over to others. As a teacher myself, I know this isn't nearly as easy as it looks. It just looks effortless when someone has the talent for it.

[philippebleau]

Used epoxy to repair an expensive motorcycle fairing. You are an excellent communicator, M. James, BTW.

[TonyMontgomery]

Q-tips are handy mixers/applicators for small repairs: I cut one end off with scissors or wire cutters, and use the stick to mix the epoxy, and then use either that same stick to apply, or get another q-tip and use the cotton, sort of a tiny paintbrush to apply the epoxy.

[sundrapoonan]

You're spot on with your assessment of how good 5 minute epoxy is. Thank you for all the awesome videos you make, I really like your straight forward no nonsense communication style, and your excellent advice on so many topics, is much appreciated.

[efb]

JB makes many things, one of which is JB Kwik Weld. JB Kwik is magic goo. I use it for more than metal. I can build it up, then file or grind it to shape. One thing people don't seem to know is that superglue may be strong in some applications, but it shatters and fails when hit sharply. This can actually be useful. Sometimes, I will superglue a wood stop or guide onto something and then, when done, smack it sharply with a hammer to take it off. Be aware that this can rip out a few fibers and can leave residue behind. As long as we're talking about superpowers, like epoxy, it's worth knowing about bicycle tire inner tubes. Cut one open and cut out the stem, then split it along its length and you have a long rubber strip that can be wrapped around odd shaped things to hold them together while glue dries. With inner tubes, you can clamp things that are unclampable otherwise and, with each wrap, you get more pressure (so be careful). Inner tubes can react with finishes especially if glue squeeze-out gets under the rubber. Often, I split the tube open, then split it along its length so that I get two strands of rubber. Otherwise, the strap can be too strong.

[danielmiller]

This was a great video! I would just like to add a quick bit of valuable information. Epoxy does indeed adhere maybe the largest variety of materials, however, in order for it to perform best on smooth non porous materials like metal and glass, it needs tooth. The surface should be sanded to create a slightly rough surface for it to perform at its best.

[gwick]

You are doing just what I have done for years, which means that I must have been on the right track all along. Thank you.

[Syncopator]

I've long known about epoxy and how it's often a better choice for the job than superglue-- but what I didn't know was about the PSI ratings and that there were many variations that are optimized for particular materials-- thanks for the tips, this will come in handy. I've found a few times that using epoxy to fix something broken, that if it breaks again it doesn't break at the same point-- the bond holds so well that it breaks somewhere else instead.

[bobbray]

Both epoxy and CA glue have their place in the shop. I use CA glue for joining smaller wood pieces together before pin nailing. With an activator spray, the CA cures immediately. Epoxy is great for filling large voids in wood where a smooth flat surface matters.

[richardstrada]

I have been using this product for years for fixing everything from my grandchildrens' toys to my broken eye glass frames. They are my go to item!

[russellmartin]

Excellent informational video!
I've been using epoxies for many years.
I once repaired a broken valve cover bolt tab on a Subaru with JBweld and became a believer in the strength of industrial adhesives!

[johnmusgrave]

I was introduced to two part epoxy adhesive almost 50 years ago at the start of my engineering apprenticeship. The brand name then was Araldite which is still sold today. It wasn't 5-minute but nobody cared. It came in 2 tubes rather than the double barrelled syringe in your video but that was (and still is) fine too. It worked extremely well and that is all I care about and I have used it for everything except wood joints ever since.

[druegillis]

Sometimes we get set in our ways, I know I do. Using super glue for years, but I forgot about epoxy. I will start using epoxy now that I saw your video. I am 72, still the old dog learning new tricks! Keep those videos coming. Great job.

[DianneCarrington]

I tried epoxy glues 20 years ago and it was a messy disaster. Since them I have relied on Super Glues with all their limitations. I am now confident to try epoxy again. You explain things (not just this glue video) with such clarity and your pacing gives time for info to sink in before you start on the next point

[chipbaker]

When using epoxy on tough surfaces that need to be held in place while the epoxy sets, I use a dab of superglue and a sprinkling of baking powder for instant hold in place. It's not a very strong bond, but does a great job keeping everything aligned.

[TaraSueSalusso]

I’ve used apoxy resin as an artist to clearcoat paintings but I haven’t used it as an glue. This is a great solution for what my upcoming project is. Thank you so much for this recommendation.

[joevaldivia]

I’ve been a woodworker for 55 years and you always have good information about woodworking. Keep up the work 👍