Balsa wood is a special type of material that requires a special type of adhesive to properly bond. Not just any glue will work and create a sufficiently durable bond.
Fortunately, this article will be about the best glues that can bond Balsa Wood.
I’ll also tell you about various types of glue suitable for bonding wood. My buyer’s guide will explain why certain glues are better than others at bonding Balsa Wood.
Recommendation: Glue Masters Wood Glue is a top-tier industrial-scale adhesive that relies on a cyanoacrylate resin to create a super-strong bond. The thick consistency is also helpful! The thick consistency is also helpful! It’ll set within a minute and remain durable for many years.
Stick around for more information on Balsa Wood glues!
Types of Glue for Balsa Wood
Different woodworkers use different adhesives when bonding Balsa Wood. Depending on the circumstances and your needs, you may need various glue types, such as:
Cyanoacrylate
Also known as super glue, the cyanoacrylate glue has one of the highest bonding strengths out of all adhesives.
This super glue sets almost instantly and becomes dry in a few minutes, while the bond is virtually indestructible. You won’t need to clamp a super glued material down because, as I said earlier, the setting time is instant.
You’ll only need to squeeze the two materials together and leave the super glue to do its job.
Super glue is also a good choice when you need glue for cork boards.
Epoxy
2-part epoxy glues are somewhat special. They’re what’s commonly known as split glues. You get two tubes, one with resin and one with hardener, and you need to mix the two into a paste and then apply it.
The paste is your designated glue.
According to experts, epoxy glues are the strongest adhesive on the market. They create a super-strong bond that can resist intense levels of impact, shock, humidity, and heat.
Epoxy glue is perfect for heavy weight-bearing applications.
Wood Glue
If you want to bond Balsa Wood, wood glue would be handy. However, these types of adhesives won’t bond anything other than glue, so if you want to glue wood to metal, try something else.
Also known as PVA glue or polyvinyl acetate, wood glue is great for cardboard, paper, soft and hardwood, and most other types of wood.
The created bond is both strong and flexible, but it takes quite a while to dry. Still, it’s well worth it over the long run.
Cement
Few adhesives are sturdy and stable as balsa cement once it dries. It forms a permanent bond that remains rigid for all time.
The consistency is very thick, and it doesn’t make a mess, so it’s easy to apply. Hard and soft materials are a great testing ground for cement!
Polyurethane
Polyurethane glue is a multi-purpose adhesive used for many materials, including Balsa Wood.
However, it will take a long time to dry, which may not be handy for some applications. Despite this, the bond will resist a lot of wear and tear thanks to its high tensile strength.
Best Glue for Balsa Wood
Read below my recommendations for the best glues for Balsa wood.
1. Glue Masters Wood Glue
Pros
- Very easy to use and apply
- Dries super fast
- High viscosity
Cons
- Not good for gaps and small spaces
First on our list is Glue Masters Wood Glue. This adhesive is the best pick for Balsa Wood, thanks to its thick viscosity, fast drying time, and ease of use. It won’t make a mess no matter how unskilled you are at using glue.
But this adhesive is made for quick projects where you know what you’re doing. The fast drying time is both an advantage and a disadvantage because you can’t rectify your mistakes too often.
Being industrial-grade adhesive, Glue Masters Wood Glue is great for DIY projects involving Balsa Wood and other types of wood. However, I wouldn’t use it to fill gaps or crevices.
Glue Masters Wood Glue also works if you need glue for glass to wood.
2. Starbond Wood Glue
Pros
- Good for filling gaps
- Fast drying
- Thin viscosity
Cons
- It’s very runny
Starbond Wood Glue is thinner and more flexible, allowing for an easy filling of gaps and crevices. It’ll also dry quickly, making it perfect for quick repairs or DIY projects that won’t suffer any delay.
It works best with Balsa Wood surfaces and all types of wood, but you could also use it for other materials. The efficiency may be lacking a bit but nothing too serious.
3. Tamiya 87038 Extra Thin Cement Glue
Pros
- Good for filling gaps and cracks
- Very strong bond
- Very easy to apply
- Dries very fast
Cons
- Bad temperature resistance
This glue is specially made for working with model airplanes. It has a super-thin formula that works best with constructing wooden models.
It may not be good for other applications, but this glue is for you if you’re into wooden models.
The glue will sink in most crevices and holes thanks to the runny formula, bringing the adhesion power to a peak.
The applicator tip is accurate and allows for easy application in most projects. Most importantly, it doesn’t make a mess.
While Tamiya Extra Thin Cement Glue is great for sealing and has a strong bond, it’s not too heat-resistant.
This is a great quality airplane glue all around.
4. Testor Corp Fast Drying Wood Cement
Pros
- Very easy to apply
- Strong bond
- Dries fast
Cons
- Bad heat resistance
This glue is another great adhesive for wooden models, thanks to its runny consistency. It will also dry very quickly, so you won’t need to clamp the two materials for too long – a couple of minutes only.
The fine precision applicator tip is mess-free, making the Testor Corp Wood Cement easy to use.
The thin consistency can fill gaps, crevices, and holes, but most importantly, it’s great for stitching wooden models made from Balsa Wood.
Its heat resistance is not great, but at least it will dry clear, which makes it even better for model making.
5. Gorilla Wood Glue
Pros
- Great for filling cracks
- Good for outdoor use
- Very simple to use
Cons
- Very long drying time
Gorilla Wood Glue is a 2-part epoxy that needs some mixing before applying. But once you apply it, the glue will stick to almost anything, especially glue.
It’s great for outdoor applications, thanks to its versatility.
Depending on your needs, you can adjust its thickness by mixing various quantities of the resin and hardener. Remember that the thicker it is, the more time it’ll take to dry completely.
It’s very simple to use and great at filling gaps, but the drying time could last 24 hours.
Buying Guide
You can’t just buy any glue that you see. You need to understand some aspects of what makes an adhesive good.
If you want to bond Balsa Wood, analyze the following things before buying glue:
- Tensile strength – This is, by far, the most important aspect of wood glue. If you want to bond heavy pieces of wood, then you need the glue to hold the pieces in place. With higher tensile strength, it’ll be able to do that easily.
- Price – Depending on your project, you should understand that some glues are pricier than others. You don’t need very expensive glue if all you’re doing is repairing a wooden chair. But you may need something pricier if you’re working with wooden models.
- Ease of use – Generally, the thicker a glue is, the easier it is to use. It won’t make a mess upon application if it’s not runny. However, a thin glue is better at filling gaps and crevices than a thick one.
Wrap Up
Balsa Wood needs some specific adhesive if you want to do a good job. Wood glue comes in many forms and shapes; you don’t have to pay a fortune to get a superb adhesive.
You need the correct information and documentation, which is what this article is about.
Glue Masters Wood Glue is the number one pick on my list for best glues for Balsa Wood!
