Economical refills:
If you use a lot of woodworking or other glue, buy it in large quantities, You’ll save money and avoid the hassle of running out of glue in the middle of job. To dispense the glue, use old sauce or mustard squeeze bottles with twist-seal nozzles or flip-top caps. Be sure to remove the labels and clearly mark the bottle with its new contents.

Slick tip:
Have you ever struggled to get a stuck cap off a tube of glue? If so, here’s an easy solution. Rub a little petroleum jelly onto the tip before replacing the cap; the jelly will keep the glue from sticking.

The right glue:
Always choose the right adhesive for the job on hand. Here are the most common adhesives used around the home.

• PVA adhesive: suitable for indoor woodwork; dries clear within 30 minutes; fills gaps.
• Urea formaldehyde: for protected exterior use; good gap-filling properties.
• Resorcinol formaldehyde: exterior use; waterproof; very durable.
• Epoxy resin: two-part adhesive; bonds most materials (not plastics).
• Construction adhesive: applied with a glue gun; for protected exterior use; excellent gap-filler.
• Contact adhesive: bonds most materials, including porous ones; little resistance to stress.
• Cyanoacrylates (Supa Glue): suitable for non-porous materials; grabs instantly; not for stressed joints.

Cool it:
To keep epoxy from setting too quickly in warm weather or in a heated workshop, turn over a cold unopened can of soft drink and mix the ingredients in the recessed bottom of the can (dry it first). The cold aluminum will slow the setting process, and the recess in the can makes a fine mixing bowl.

Other adhesives

Cement can collar:
When applying contact cement, keep the rim of the cement can clean by covering it with an aluminum foil collar. The foil will catch the drips and prevent gummy buildup. Once the job is done, discard the foil; the lid will fit tightly in place.

Removable adhesive:
Inexpensive wall adhesive, also known as Blue-tack, has many uses around the workshop. Use it to secure a screw on the tip of a screwdriver, to hold nuts and washers together, and to post assembly instructions and notes to yourself. In many situations it’s a good substitute for tape or staples.

Carpet scrap applicator:
Cleaning brushes that have been used to apply contact cement is an impossible job. Instead of throwing away brush after brush, make a reusable applicator out of scrap wood; then just staple a fresh scrap of carpet to the block for each new job.

Storing adhesives

An upside-down trick:
Storing glue bottles and tubes upside down keeps the contents ready to pour. To make a holder for your glue bottles, drill holes through an existing shelf in your workshop. Otherwise drill holes through a scrap of timber and attach it to the wall.

Hang tubing:
Here’s a clever solution to a common work-shop storage problem. Since plastic squeeze tubes of contact cement and caulking don’t lie flat and can’t be stacked, try hanging them up. Cut a piece of tape about 2″ (50 mm) long and trim it to fit the width of the tube. Stick one end of the tape on the bottom of the tube, then fold the tape in half over the tube, pinching the sticky sides together. Punch a hole through the tape and hang it on a nail or on a pegboard hook

Glue gun holder:
The hot dripping tip of a glue gun can be a safety hazard. To keep it out of harm’s way, park it in a handy holder made by mounting a spring-metal broom clip on a small piece of scrap timber. To catch the drips, screw a small jar lid to the holder.

Disposing of hazardous waste

Products containing solvents or other ingredients that carry cautionary warning labels (such as flammable, reactive and corrosive) are likely to be classified as hazardous waste. Before you buy such a product, try to find a safer (water-based) substitute. If none is available, buy only as much as you can use. If you are unsure of how to dispose of a material, contact your local waste disposal service/centre, environmental protection agency or health department. The table below outlines some general guidelines for workshop materials.

Type of waste

Contact cement, solvent-based* (2), (4)
Contact cement, water-based (2)
Degreasing chemicals (4)
Glue, adhesive and sealants, solvent-based (4)
Glue, adhesive and sealants, water-based (2)
Kerosene (3)
Paint, water-based (2)
Paint and varnish stripper (1)
Paintbrush cleaner, phosphate (1)
Paintbrush cleaner, solvent (4)
Paint remover or thinner (residue) (4)
Paints, oil (alkyd) and rust-inhibiting (4)
Polish, furniture (solvent-based) (4)
Rust remover, phosphoric acid (1), (4)
Wood finishes (polyurethane, oil, varnish (4)
Wood preservative (4)

(1) Dilute smail amount with plenty of water and pour down the drain. For large amount or if you have a septic tank, recycle or treat as hazardous waste.

(2) Let evaporate, away from people and pets, or solidify with absorbent material, such as cat litter. Double-wrap in plastic; discard with rubbish going to landfill or incinerator.

(3) Recycle at special centre set up for the purpose, or treat as hazardous waste.

(4) Do not discard this hazardous waste. Save for special collection day or contact your local waste disposal service/centre, environmental protection agency, or health department for instructions.

* Wrap and discard applicators when dry. Any unused cement is hazardous waste.