Funny, I just started a thread along this line of questioning on another forum, so I'll cut and paste what I wrote there here rather than start a new thread on this issue.
I am going to be building various things over the next few months for outdoors. Two new entrances and gates for the backyard, some planters, a deck with a pergola and railings for around the deck, and a host of other things as needed. I've been looking solely at what LV has to offer insofar as glues for these projects and would prefer to deal with them, but this is not mandatory should a best solution present itself otherwise.
I know that Titebond III has a high water resistance but it only has a 10 minute open time. I'd also read somewhere a year or two ago that it is better to use epoxy for outdoor use, but there was no real reason for this other than a generalized statement as such in a thread I read on the FOG. Besides, according to Marty McClave at LV with wnom I spoke to this morning, he says that currently they are not allowed to sell TB3 in Canada as there is some kind of regulatory issue with the labelling that has come up.
The woods I am planning on using will be PT lumber, cedar, and Ipe, which is a South American hardwood, primarily from Brazil which has become more commonly available the last few years in Canada.
Using this chart from LV that has that shows the different characteristics of each of their glues, I had narrowed down my search to
G2 Epoxy or
The West System although I 'm not sure which one in the West System I should opt for between the #205 and #206. (The description from the LV product page for each product is in italics)
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G2 (2:1 ratio) is formulated to work well on oily and acidic woods (do not use below 10°C/50°F; cure time is 48 hours at 10°C/50°F or 24 hours at 20°C/70°F). Ideal where flexibility is required. The joint will yawn rather than fracture.
The G2 seems to work especially good with oily and acidic woods. While I would characterize cedar as an oily, I have no clue about the Ipe's characteristics other than it is 10 times harder than maple.
(BTW, what does "Yawn" mean???)
In regards tot he West System The West System is supposedly the gold standard with epoxies.
West System is the industry standard epoxy for high-strength waterproof adhesives.
The #105 epoxy resin is mixed in a 5:1 ratio with the #205 and #206 hardeners, and a 3:1 ratio with the #207 hardener to form a high-strength solid with excellent moisture resistance.
The #205 fast-cure hardener has a working time of about 60 to 70 minutes at 20°C/70°F with a minimum cure temperature of 4°C/40°F. The #206 slow-cure hardener has a longer working time of 90 to 110 minutes at 20°C/70°F with a minimum cure temperature of 16°C/60°F.
The #207 special coating hardener was developed for coating and fiberglass cloth application where an exceptionally clear, moisture-resistant, natural wood finish is desired. The 105/207 mixture resists clouding in humid conditions and has a low blush formation. Three coats or more can be applied in one day without additional surface preparation. The #207 working time is 110 to 130 minutes at 20°C/70°F with a minimum cure temperature of 16°C/60°F.
The curing time for maximum strength is 1-4 days for #205 and #206 hardeners, and 4-7 days for the #207.
The 5:1 kits contain 32 fl oz (946ml of resin and 7 fl oz (207ml) of hardener, and the 3:1 kit contains 32 fl oz (946ml) of resin and 10.6 fl oz (310ml) of hardener. Kits include three dispensing pumps and a 30-page manual. Components are also available individually.
I definitely think that the #207 is not what I'm looking for since it talks about its use in Fiberglass, which I have no plans on using anywhere. But where all of them mention their minimum cure temperature, does that mean I should not use it where during the cure period it can be going to a temperature below that minimum for risk that it will never cure properly, or will all that simply mean if during the curing period, that it simply takes longer to cure?
Then I was pointed to by Marty at LV to the System Three product "Cold Cure". He said it was easier to use than the West System, is not as pricey, and has a lower cure temperature.
The most versatile of our epoxy systems, Cold Cure is a waterproof structural bonding agent and penetrating sealer. It will cure at temperatures down to 2°C/35°F, even under water. Cure time varies with temperature; at 20°C/70°F it is 24 hours.
A low-viscosity epoxy with good wettability. It can be used on wood, metal, plastic, porous or non-porous surfaces, as an adhesive, sealer or laminating resin. A two-part system, 2:1 ratio.
I've never used epoxy for project glue ups, so any advice is greatly appreciated.
I know there is also Gorilla Glue. I've used it before, and I'm not sure it should be a candidate at all. It is messy to deal with, but are epoxies for my applications just as messy???
This polyurethane adhesive is ideal for joining dissimilar materials (such as metal or plastic to wood) or difficult exotic woods. It has an open time of 15 minutes, sands without clogging and absorbs solvent-based stains very well. Squeeze-out is easily removed, leaving an inconspicuous and waterproof glue line.
A minimum moisture level is required for curing; if wood has less than 10% moisture content, water must be brushed on one side of the joint. A versatile glue ideal for outdoor projects, for assembling wooden pen kits or for use on curved laminations, it has an opened shelf life of about a year.
