How to decode Titebond date stamp

[James Metcalf]

Most woodworking glues have a shelf life of one to two years from the date they are made. After that, it may or may not hold. So, how do you know how old the glue was when you bought it? Titebond prints a code for the date of the manufacture.  It is a good idea to write the date on the bottle when you buy it. Titebond bottles show the year the glue was made followed by the month ("A" through "M;" the letter "I" is not used.  Example: 7A6234: 7 would be year 2007, A would be January, and 6234 would be the batch number.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Very nice tip James, thanks.

 

[Eli]

Excellent tip James, Thanks

 

[Matthew Schenker]

James,
Thanks for explaining this.  I always write the date of purchase on my glue bottles, but knowing the date of manufacture is equally important.  I've tried to avoid buying my glue from stores that seem to have low glue sales (e.g., a small local hardware store) and to buy from high-traffic stores.  That way I know the glue has not been sitting on the shelves very long.

By the way, does anyone know why Titebond uses such a mysterious dating system?  I mean, why not just be clear about it?  For example, the date and batch number you were citing could be "120076234."

I suppose once you know the system it doesn't matter that much.

Thanks,
Matthew