Am I the only one who spends ages waiting for glue to dry on intricate joinery?

I have a commission for a dovetail jewelry box, and the clamping time is pushing back my whole week. Any tips to speed this up without compromising strength?

3 comments

3 Comments

adams.beth1mo ago

I switched to a 5-minute epoxy for dovetail boxes and it cut clamping time by half. It sets fast but still gives a strong bond if you prep the surfaces right. A hair dryer on low heat from a few feet away can speed up the cure without risking the wood. Keeping your workspace around 70 degrees and dry makes a huge difference. Why let glue slow you down when a few tweaks can keep you on schedule? Just test on scrap first to be sure the joint holds up.

the_gray1mo ago

Wait you're actually using a hair dryer on wood glue? That would make me freak out about the joint moving or the wood warping from uneven heat. I've only ever seen people do that with resin pours, never on a tight join. Does it really not mess with the fit?

coracarter1mo ago

Used a hair dryer on wood glue for a picture frame last year. Kept it on low heat and waved it around from about a foot away. The joint stayed put because the glue was already tacky. No warping happened, but you have to keep the heat moving and not focus on one spot. It shaved off some drying time without any drama. Just don't go blasting it like you're defrosting a freezer.