Old Wood Glue: Elmers, Titebond, or any other WOOD glue does get old. If you squeeze a bit out and pick it up with a toothpick, if it strings, it has started to cure so squeeze out a fresh dab. If it comes out of the bottle stringing, the whole bottle is bad. Before I discovered this, I used to buy glue at hardware or discount store and found the glue was old before I even bought it. I learned to buy it at lumber yards, cabinetmaker supply, or any place that would sell a lot of glue and professionals would go. Note: I said wood glue, this does not apply to Tacky glue or similar.

Dean Jenson

Paper Flower Glue: I use Bond Instant Grrrip glue, plus a teeny, tiny bit of Zap-A-Gap 'superglue' type adhesive to make my flowers and shrubs. I feel that Bond is a much better glue than Tacky...particularly for use with paper, leather and even wood. It's more expensive, but I don't know a single person who's tried it, and said it's not worth the price

Laura in OKC

Paper Flower Glue: Concerning the glue you are using for the fabrication of paper flowers you said, "I am having a problem with the glue. I have been using Aleene's Tacky, but the flowers and leaves are falling off after it dries with just a touch. Am I using the wrong glue? Not enough maybe?"

OK --- For about +90% of my paper flowers, leaves, etc. I use Sobo glue. It is a white non-toxic water base glue that dries clear. I always use the smallest amount possible, but that's a "personal touch" that you will have to develop. I buy it by the quart but it should be available in 2 oz. bottles at your local Arts & Crafts store. On occasion I will also use a little Super Glue and I do mean a little!

Keep in mind that everybody has their personal preference but hey, it works for me! Check out some of my finished 1", 1/2" and 1/4" scale floral arrangements on my web site at http://www.smallerthanabreadbox.com

Helen

Paper Flower Glue: many people are raving about the fairly new "Ultimate Glue" available in mini shops and possibly Michael's (or so I have been told). I have used Aleene's tacky with good results, but because you have had problems with that brand, maybe Ultimate will work better. Also, using a combo of fast glue and tacky is what one of the finest flower makers uses with her rice paper petals.

Jeanette in Wisconsin

Paper Flower Glue: I've been making and selling flowers and gardens for 8 years and I have always used Aleene's Tacky glue (original) for my petals. There are times if you don't use enough glue that it doesn't stick properly. I would try again using a little more. When you want a base of a flower to adhere really well, first dip in tacky and then a dot of zap-a-gap. But that's only on bases or areas that don't show because the zap discolors the paper. Good Luck!

Debbie Noland

Wood Glue: The best wood glue that I have found is called Roo Wood Glue. Sandy's Lace & Trim sells it, and possibly other dealers that have bought it from them. I have tried all sorts of different brands but nothing works like Roo. Sets up fast, but not too fast, holds very well. http://www.sandyslace.com/

Beth, In A Miniature Manor

Gorilla Glue: A while back I asked whether anyone had used this and had some interesting e-mail conversations about it. A couple of weeks ago I bit the Bullet and used it to glue the roof onto a half-scale, one room beach cottage taught by Syd Wagner. I put it on sparingly, using a micro brush; tied the roof down securely and put weights on it; and then sent a small prayer heavenward. Something worked, and the roof appears to be secure. Believe me, I'm not planning to test it by picking the building up by the roof!

Janet

Roo glue for wood, gorilla glue: We carry Roo Glue for Wood and have it at the shows we attend. Also have Roo MPG, for metal, glass & plastic.

Gorilla Glue is a moisture cured urethane product that is activated by humidity. It is used by friends who turn segmented bowls in full scale. Yellow wood glue and the other PVA glues allow the joints to slide a little (creep) and this property is especially bad on wood turnings. The MC urethanes don't creep. The glue has a relatively long set up time and requires clamping. There is also a dark glue line. Pam got me some Gorilla Glue as a stocking stuffer one Christmas. I asked her why and she said, "because you have every other kind of glue. Don't you collect it?" http://www.nh.ultranet.com/~smallife

Pete Boorum

Rice glue: I was reading a book on furniture repair ( full size) and there was a section on glues. One of the glues that got a lot of space was rice glue. Rice glue is made fresh using the "sticky" type of rice. Not Uncle Bens' type of rice.

The rice was cooked to make a small quantity and then while still moist and hot it was placed on the parts to be glued together. Then it was mashed to make a "mush" like gel. some more hot water can be added to loosen the gel. The parts are clamped together and any excess that comes out can be wiped away with a wet rag. This can also be used as paper to paper glue etc. The rice glue dries clear and can be painted or stained as regular wood because it is also an organic product.

The article said that if all the rice is not used you can eat what is left over. Japanese purists who make high end furniture ( hi $) will use this type of glue.

DrBob

Tonight I needed to sand some wood to make it smoother before applying a coat of spray paint. Couldn't find my (probably 20 year old) tack cloth! AHA! she said to herself, as she spied her package of Swiffer cleaning cloths. (I keep them handy to occasionally wipe fuzzies off of my desk when 'furring' my animals.) The Swiffers worked like a charm to get all the wood dust from sanding off of the piece I was working on! Just thought I'd share!

Alice Zinn- Pt. St. Lucie FL