The glue that you choose for your Balsa wood models is going to make or break your structure. Your glue choice is equally as important as your wood choice. Weak glue will not make your model function properly, no matter how good its design.
Therefore, we have compiled the best glue for balsa wood reviews and buyer’s guide. It will allow you to make the right choice when choosing glue for your balsa wood projects.
Click here to skip to our recommended pick!
- Easy to use and apply
- Very thick
- Dries in less than a minute
- Thin, runny viscosity
- Excellent for filling gaps
- Super-fast drying time
- Easily fills cracks
- Great for sealing
- Strong bond
- Fast drying
- Dries clear
- Very strong bond
- Simple to use
- Fast drying
- Suitable for small areas
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Glue Masters wood glue for balsa wood has a long shelf life and is available in 12, 16 and 80-ounce bottles. You can choose any size according to your project’s requirements. This is industrial-scale glue that features cyanoacrylate resin that contributes significantly to it being the strongest hold available on the market.
With this glue, your model will hold its structure for good. It sets within one minute and will make your life very convenient. You will have more control over the fluidity of this glue because it is a thick consistency.
It is suitable for model builders and hobbyists. Additionally, you can use it for various applications, ranging from model building to fixing your shoes. It also comes with a 60-day, money-back guarantee. You can’t ask for more!
As there are hundreds and hundreds of these wood glue on the market, choosing the right one can be a daunting task. But if you understand your needs and requirements – and know certain features to focus on – you can’t go wrong with your buying decision.
What do you need to look for when buying glue for balsa wood?
These are a few aspects associated with glue.
Are you short on time or just want a quick answer?
Check out our list below for a summary of our results.
- Glue Masters Wood Glue – Best overall
- Starbond Wood Glue - for filling gaps
- Tamiya 87038 Extra Thin Cement Glue - for Model Airplanes
- Testor Corp Fast Drying Wood Cement - for Wooden Models
- Gorilla Wood Glue
- Elmer’s Wood Glue - non-toxicity
- Titebond Wood Glue - for sandability
Types of Glue for Balsa Wood
There are a number of different glues which can be used for Balsa wood, as well as for many other types of wood too. Let’s take a quick look at each type.
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Cyanoacrylate
This is fancy word for super glue. Here we are talking about those little bottles of clear glue, ones designed for high bond strength. These are very fast acting adhesives, ones which dry in a matter of minutes or even seconds. They bond strong, they can bear weight, and the bond is virtually unbreakable. Due to its fast drying nature, this type of glue usually does not require prolonged clamping, just a quick squeeze.
Epoxy
Epoxies tend to come in the split glue variety. This means that you get two tubes, one which is the glue itself, and the other which is the curing agent. When it comes to creating a super strong bond, this is one of your best bets. Due to the dual nature of this type of glue and the chemical reaction which the separate components create, you’ll have a hard time creating a better bond than with real epoxy. This is a type of glue that can also be used for heavy weight bearing applications.
Wood Glue
Wood glue is exactly what it sounds like, glue designed to be used specifically for wood. Keep in mind that wood glue really won’t bond anything but wood. Wood glue is also known as PVA or polyvinyl acetate, which also happens to be the main ingredient in normal white school glue. PVA works well for paper, cardboard, lighter pieces of wood, and other such materials. It does form a very strong and flexible bond, but takes a fairly long time to dry.
Cement
If you are looking to form an extremely tight and permanent bond that cannot be undone, cement or rubber cement glue is a great option to go with. It’s great because it tends to be quite thick and mess free, it dries clear, and is very easy to apply. It’s ideal for soft materials and hard materials alike.
Polyurethane
The only issue with polyurethane glue is that it takes a long time to dry. Other than that, it’s a great multi-purpose type of glue to consider. It can be used for a wide variety of materials, it bonds very well, it can handle a good deal of weight and impact, and is usually quite easy to work with as well.
Safety Precautions
Let’s quickly go over a few important tips to help keep you safe when using balsa wood glue.
- Always use glue in a very well ventilated area. Some glues have some odors and fumes which can lead to headaches and nausea.
- Some glues even require you to wear a facemask or respirator due to the fumes, so always read instructions carefully.
- It is always a good idea to use glue that is non-toxic, especially if you have pets and kids.
- Wearing gloves when using certain glues is strongly recommended, especially very fast bonding options like super glue.
The Best Glue for Balsa Wood
Here is a short comparison chart in case if you don’t have time to read through till the end.
| Product | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Glue Masters Wood Glue | CA glue | Overall |
| Starbond Wood Glue | CA glue | Filling gaps |
| Gorilla Wood Glue | Epoxy glue | Outdoor applications |
| Elmer’s Wood Glue | PU glue | Non-toxicity |
| Titebond Wood Glue | PU glue | Sandability |
The top best product [hide]
Glue Masters Wood Glue – Best overall
- Super quick to dry
- Highly viscosity
- Easy to apply
Starbond Wood Glue - for filling gaps
- Thin viscosity
- Quick drying time
- Fills gaps
Tamiya 87038 Extra Thin Cement Glue - for Model Airplanes
Testor Corp Fast Drying Wood Cement - for Wooden Models
Gorilla Wood Glue
- Easy to apply
- Excellent for outdoor applications
- Works well in small gaps
Elmer’s Wood Glue - non-toxicity
- Water-resistant
- High sandability
- Thin viscosity
Titebond Wood Glue - for sandability
- Easy to apply
- Fast drying
- Thin viscosity
Glue for Balsa Wood – Buying Guide
Weight
Another important aspect of buying wood glue is weight. Of course, if you’re building a structure, it is going to have some weight – especially at the bottom, where the weight of the entire structure is.
Your glue needs to have a very strong hold if it is going to keep a large structure intact. So, this is a key area to focus on depending on your project.
Price
Glues come at different prices. Usually, the superglue and PVAs are expensive compared to the others. The type of glue you use will depend on the project at hand.
Hold strength and ease of use
The glue that are thicker, like the white glue, are the easiest to use because they are not runny and don’t create a mess. However, if you need something to fill those gaps and crevices, you need to go for the thinner and runnier glue.
Glue for Balsa Wood - FAQ
Can you use super glue on balsa wood?
Can you use hot glue on balsa wood?
Does hot glue damage wood?
Glue Masters Wood Glue
Glue Masters Wood Glue as our top choice because it has a superb drying time. Moreover, you get to apply it as you need because of its thick viscosity. It can hold pretty well for a long period of time and has a great shelf life, too. You truly get the bang for your buck with this one.
Conclusion
Building a structure with balsa wood is fun but finding the type of glue to use can be an irksome task. Picking the right glue can make a lot of difference in the end. Therefore, we urge you to focus on different aspects of your project and carefully assess which type of glue is most suitable.
Have you used any of these glues in the past? What was your experience? Share your thoughts by leaving your comments in the section below!
Enjoy the hold!
