Advice needed for gluing an oops

[TommyPhillips]

I'm getting pretty close to completing an elm spoon that I have been working on for a long time, but I was careless about a spot with short grain.

I plan to glue the leaf back, but I am concerned about finishing. I had considered an oil and wax mix, to bring out the grain in the elm, but I'm not sure about the impact on the glue. Will certain finishes weaken or dissolve the glue? I know that in normal wood projects, it's not generally an issue, but in this instance the glue surface will be so small, and I have been planning for this to be my first piece ever to enter in a show in three weeks, so I am extra nervous.

How about some advice on glue and finish. Super glue? Yellow glue? White? Spray-on varnish? Oil and wax?

Thank you for your help.

-Tommy

[TreeWizard]

I'd use Titebond, just a dab on the oops and after it has set up for 5 min or so wipe off any extra with a damp sponge.

[carver33]

Tommy,

I use either Elmers or Titebond Carpenter's glue. Dab on enough glue to coat the surface to be glued, wait about 30 second or so and press the broken piece into place. Hold tightly (or tape, rubber band or clamp) for several minutes and you should be good to go. I prefer to let the glue set for several hours before proceeding, but I think in your case 30 minutes or so should do it.

Be sure to carve or sand away any excess glue before finishing. I usually use hand rubbed oil finish or acrylic paints and I have carvings with glue jobs that are holding up 20 years or so later.

[JIM QUILICI]

tommy,
I cannot tell how thick the broken part is....I would take a pin cut it with dikes to be about 1/4 inch long stick it on one side ....middle......place and line up perfect... .... the other piece ...and stick it together...pull apart...you have perfect center for a small dowel..... drill hole ...dry fit.. then glue.... guarantee that will be a very strong joint.that wont break again...there....I've even used round tooth picks cut to size for a dowel.


Jim

[TommyPhillips]

Thank you all for the advice. I guess what I am hearing is that I shouldn't be too worried about the glue and finish interacting.

FYI, the broken piece is about 1/8 inch across, and some of the wood fibers are still hanging on, so I am hoping to sneak some glue in on the end of a pin, or perhaps I can find a syringe to work with.

-Tommy

[carver33]

Tommy,

My technique on something like this is:

Put a drop or two of carpenter's glue on a clean surface (a piece of paper works just fine). Use a toothpick to transfer the glue to the largest piece. carefully place the smaller piece in place and hold for a few minutes.