Is There Such A Thing As.....

[Dull Knife]

an absolutely water proof glue?? What is Spar Varnish?? is it water proof?

When I'm not carving, I make whirly gigs. The body of the gigs are made of electrical conduit. For the whirly gig propellers I like to make 'em out of pine for the hub and ply wood for the blades.

I've used every kind of glue and have yet to find one that will with stand years out in the elements.....I live in NE Iowa, and we get lots of snow, rain, sleet, very cold winters and hotter than H in the summer time.

I've never had a home made gig that could last longer than one season.

I've used Gorilla glue, two part epoxy, and just today, I coated one three bladed prop in thin CA.

I've ordered some model airplane propellers to try, but prefer the home made ones that can be painted differant colors.....so what am I missing???

[cut up]

I'm certainly no expert on waterproof glues, but the gorilla glue and Titebond III is probably the closest you'll find. Although the glue itself maybe waterproof, one problem is the wood itself. Moisture content of the wood goes up and down with the humidity and temperatures. Plus, the wood will expand and contract with that change, too. These changes with continuous moisture allows the wood to decay, rot, and break down, then the glue fails its job.
It looks to me like in order for that glue to hold more than 1 season, you are gonna have to seal the wood, too. Which brings up the Spar Varnish.
If I remember right, it is used as an outdoor finish but is only water resistant, not water proof.
In order to accomplish what you are trying to do, you may have to use a rot resistant wood like teak which is expensive, or possibly that new composit wood for decks, or completely cover the wood with something like fiberglass rosin like shipbuilders use on boats.
I don't know that any of these things will work to your satisfaction or not. My best guess is that it will be a constant struggle, but I'd be interested in finding out how well it works for you.
I hope this helps. And I'm sure someone with better knowledge will come along with a satisfactory answer.

Good luck and Merry Christmas!

[SeaLeveler]

I also am no expert but use a wood like cutup mentioned or maybe cedar.I was a boat builder b4 disability and I used juniper and fiberglass with West Epoxy and use epoxy primer and paints.As long as the sun can't get to the resin all of the boats I built there is no rot now going on 21 years.
Use a thin fiberglass and maybe even 1 extra coat and be sure to sand between coats but donot sand through the previous layer.Tony

[xsailer]

What seperated? I'm assuming the plywood. If it is can you make the propeller out of a solid wood. I've never had any luck with plywood outdoors. Maybe marine plywood would work?

I bought and had for several years a whirly gig humming bird I bought in Missouri from a local resident along side the road. I asked him years later while visiting what he used for a finish because it had lasted so long. I thought it would be some exotic concoction. His answer was "house paint".

[Thomp]

Dull Knife,

im no sage on outdoor wood prep, ive made several of them wind toys out of wood only to have them fail due to wood-glue joints falling apart,

i had the best results with liquid nails, or screws

one i made with a solid cypress hub and fins made from a plastic 5 gallon bucket fastened with Sheetrock screws this one is 3 years old, but the plastic wont hold paint.. i wanted to use some of that krylon fusion paint specifically made for plastics, but havent...

[belprime]

For the plywood try sign plywood also called MDO... seems to holdup in the weather really good.