Hey Guys,
Looking for some a advise on which is the best glue to use when making a custom cork handle with burl cork. I am new to this part of custom rod building but want to expand on my builds. I purchased a bench top lathe and have my burl cork. I have watched quite a few YouTube vidies but would like your opinions on which glue you like to use and why. Pro - Cons. I have purchased Elmer's Wood Glue, Pro Paste, and already have Flex Coat Epoxy Glue.
Thanks in advance
Rick

Rick

I use Titebond III. Its a water proof wood glue and works well for gluing up cork rings.

Rog

Hands down Flex Coat has you covered.

Rod Builders Epoxy Glue
[flexcoat.com]
Working time is around 20 minutes and you can work with it in 1 hour. Flows into places you can't reach.

Five Minute Epoxy
[flexcoat.com]
Working time is around 5 to 10 minutes and you can work with it in 20 minutes. Again, it flows well.

@#$%& or High Water
[flexcoat.com]
Working time is 45 min to 1 hour and you can work with it in 3 hours. Stays where you put it, won't flow. Un-beatable adhesion and durability.

Flex Coat Company
Professional Rod Building Supplies
www.flexcoat.com

West System GFlex 250.
Flexible and can't even remove reel seat with torch - true.

Herb

Whatever you use needs to be waterproof, Elmer's Wood Glue is not! I use Titebond lll for cork(including burl) and wood. epoxy for when I am mixing in any other mediums.

Waterproof wood glue is fine, but I will caution you that for whatever reason it plays heck with mandrels and will quickly rust them. So once the grip is glued up and ready to turn, get it done, remove it from the mandrel and clean the mandrel before putting it away.

Any good liquid or gel-type epoxy works equally well on cork and composite handles. And, of course, it'll be waterproof as well.

....................

I use U40 Rod Bond paste. I butter it on both sides, than scrape off as much as I can, to ensure I have no glue lines. There's enough on there always to give me a sound grip.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/18/2020 09:18PM by Spencer Phipps.

Rick'
More input.

For cork and burl cork I like to use contact cement, Pliobond, Weldwood, etc They are waterproof, flexible and does not leave a hard glue line.

.

Over the years, I have tried them all, but I currently use titebond III.

It cures well, holds tight and is much easier to sand than any epoxy.

But, because it is an air cure, after removing a grip from the mandrel, it is necessary to leave the grip to cure another 24 hours so that the inside of the grip can cure.

Also, Mr. Kirkman is right about a water based glue like titebond III causing rust issues.

So, as soon as a grip is removed from a mandrel and I have a few minutes, I chuck it into a variable speed drill and hole it while spinning against a wire wheel spinning on a grinder. This operation removes any trace of moisture and or any potential rust spots.

Then, I just spray down the mandrel with wd-40 which is a rust preventative and was designed for the military for this very use.

Take care

Titebond III is also my adhesive choice when gluing up cork rings. TB III is applied to each ring before sliding onto either my 1/4” or 3/8” steel mandrel. The mandrel is then mounted into a hand clamp and pressure applied. The mandrel is then immediately slid out of the rings, taken to a wash basin, washed with soap and very hot water, and dried thoroughly.

"The greatest barrier to discovery is not ignorance, it's the illusion of knowledge" - Daniel J. Boorstin

Funny the one glue I didn't have is the one that most seem to use. I will get some of the title bond III and give it a try when when I make my first handle.
Once again asked and answered by many.
Great source of information.
Thank you to all that gave me their input
Rick

When gluing rings together you want them firmly squeezed together, but not too tight. Too tight will squeeze most of the adhesion out. I know the terms are subjective, but don't know how to describe it any better.

Flex coat fast setting epoxy. You can start turning after an hour. Its waterproof and you can not see the lines in the cork.