The New York Times: As with all things DIY, there are too many choices at the hardware store. But the fact is, just a handful of glues and lubes will work for most home projects. Below, we’ll cover adhesives that work on metals, plastics, rubber, wood and construction materials, and a small set of greases and oils that will keep your yard tools, toys, electric motors, door hinges and plumbing fixtures working smoothly.
4 comments:
This is a very useful and mostly comprehensive look at glues and lubricants but could be more inclusive of less powerful craft glues. I find in depth analysis of the applications of products, like in this article, really improves my understanding of when to pick which product. With something like glues there are a ton of options as to which glue to use and it can be hard to understand when they are best applied. This article really cleared up some areas of uncertainty I had and it is really nice to have the comparisons all in one place rather than having to read multiple product descriptions and go from there. I also think the combination of lubricants and glues in one article is hilarious but also the information on the lubricants is useful too. I specifically like the inclusion of sewing machine lubricant because it is super useful outside of sewing machines and is worth knowing about.
Using the wrong glue can be detrimental to a project. We use glue frequently, but because of its permanence, we tend to use adhesives carefully and intentionally. As materials and construction methods evolve beyond traditional wood and steel, it’s becoming increasingly important to understand what each type of glue does, how it works, and why it’s suited for specific applications. One of my favorite super glues is 2P10, which comes in three different levels of viscosity. It dries hard and brittle with a slightly cloudy, clear finish. I prefer this glue because it works exceptionally well on wood and plastic joints. Unlike Gorilla Glue, 2P10 doesn’t expand as it cures, so when gluing down an edge of laminate or a sheet, you don’t have to worry about the glue expanding, opening the joint, or creating a gap. That kind of gap can catch on things during transport and damage the finished surface we care about. I really enjoyed reading this article—the level of detail provided a great understanding of the different types of adhesives available and their various purposes.
Knowing the proper adhesive to use on a project could mean the difference between a quick and effective project or a pile of broken pieces on the floor. Even the differences in wood glue can help a project lengthen its lifespan by decades as rot and mildew try to decompose everything around them. While not everybody is making cutting boards, wooden plates, and bowls, understanding the difference could save hours upon hours of rework. Especially as costs rise around the country without the rise in pay for most citizens, more Do It Yourself Projects are constantly increasing. Instead of needing a tradesperson to come in and fix your work, which may cost more than the original project, you can finish it yourself without the extra bill. As the housing shortage continues to cost citizens looking for houses trillions of dollars a year, old house remodels are happening at a staggering rate and old homeowner projects that were done but are now falling apart or failing will need to be redone.
What I appreciate about this article is that it puts a lot of the more inaccessible knowledge of fabrication and construction in plain, accessible terms for the reader. If not giving one the information to complete their DIY or home projects perfectly, it at least empowers one to recognize the product that they are looking for as well as better guide conversation surrounding decisions about attachment and fasteners. Second, it also empowers how to take items apart and encourages more people to be involved in these kinds of projects, and the more collectively knowledgeable about these kinds of topics we are, the more prepared we are to resolve our own problems, or at least hold those that we hire accountable for some of the baseline quality we should expect from their work. Appreciate the column and hope there is more helpful knowledge about DIY and other home projects like this in the future!
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