Edge Adhesion

[Birdhunter]

I’m building two end tables out of quarter sawn white oak. I’d like to glue 1/8” edge banding around the perimeter. The banding will be brown ebony. I know the banding will stay glued on along the long grain. Im worried about it staying on where it’s glued to the end grain.

Any recommendations?

 

[Michael Kellough]

Scuff sand the end grain.

 

[RKA]

"Sizing" is the term for prepping the end grain prior to gluing the joint.  Here is an explanation pulled from the titebond site that explains it.  The thinned glue wicks into the end grain, so the second application of glue can set up at the intersection of the two parts being joined.

http://www.titebond.com/resources/use/glues

Get good results gluing end grain joints.

Although good joint design minimizes the need for gluing end grain, sometimes end grain joints are unavoidable. The strength of end grain joints can be improved if the "open" end grain is first sized. A sizing mixture may be made by mixing one part to two parts water to one part glue. Place the sizing mixture on the end grain. Let it soak in for no more than two minutes, and then continue with a regular application of glue.

 

[Birdhunter]

Thanks. I'll try the sizing

 

[Bohdan]

If you are sizing with PVA (or most other glues) remember that it won't adhere to itself once the first layer is dry so it important to only leave the sizing on for only a couple of minutes before applying the final glue.

 

[Birdhunter]

I followed the sizing instructions and the brown ebony edging strips seem to be well attached to the quarter sawn white oak. Even without finish, the combination looks great.

I scratched up the end grain with an awl, smeared on a 50/50 water and Titebond glue mix, applied a bead of glue, and clamped the edging. I let it dry for about 4 hours and trimmed the edging with a really sharp block plane.

Thanks for the help.