If you are a carpenter, a handyman, a craftsman, or anything in between, something you might always have need for is glue that can securely stick metal to wood. This is a type of glue that can be used for a variety of purposes, but that said, for the best results, you also need the best glue for metal to wood.
It can be hard to find the right product that works best for you, especially seeing as there are so many different options out there. Today we are going to help you figure out how to choose the glue for metal to wood with an in depth buyer’s guide, plus we’re reviewed some of the best options as well.
Click here to skip to our recommended pick!
- No clamping required
- Can be used for vertical gluing
- Works for all materials
- Withstands some moisture
- Indoor and outdoor use
- Very fast set time
- Extremely high tensile strength
- Can withstand high temperatures
- Sets and cures fast
- Quick drying
- Works for all materials
- High tensile strength and flexibility
- Tough enough to withstand the heat or cold
- Safe for outdoors or indoors uses
- 3x expansion rate after application
- 100% waterproof
- Works for various materials
- Easy to dispense
- Retains its strength below and above the waterline
- Becomes completely dry within two hours
- Can withstand strong elements
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue
When it comes to super glue wood and metal, the top pick would have to be Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue, which is true for a variety of reasons. What makes this the best epoxy glue for wood to metal?
- This glue is rubber toughened which helps provide a tensile strength of several thousand PSI.
- The addition of rubber to this epoxy allows it to be totally waterproof.
- Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue can be used for indoor and outdoor applications, and can withstand high and low temperatures.
- This particular glue can be used for vertical gluing applications and does not require any clamping whatsoever.
- Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue features a fast setting and curing time.
- Easy application thanks to the special indicator.
- Works for metal, leather, cork, ceramic, wood, chipboard, fabric, paper, cardboard, rubber, and various hard plastics.
Types of Glue for Metal to Wood
Are you short on time or just want a quick answer?
Check out our list below for a summary of our results.
- Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue
- Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy – Best For Steel & Aluminum
- J-B Weld 8276 KwikWeld Quick Setting Steel Reinforced Epoxy
- Gorilla Clear Grip Contact Adhesive – Quick Drying Super Glue
- Gorilla Original Waterproof Polyurethane Glue
- Franklin 2303 Titebond Polyurethane Glue – Waterproof Wood To Metal Glue
- 3m Marine Adhesive Sealant 5200
Epoxy
The best type of glue for metal to wood is epoxy. Epoxies are strong, waterproof and resistant to heat, chemicals, UVs and humidity. When using epoxy for metal to wood adhesive projects you should use a two-part solvent free type of epoxy that is specifically made for this purpose.
Pros:
- Epoxy is waterproof
- Two-part epoxy for metal to wood are pre-mixed, so you do not need any other materials or tools
- No solvents used in the process can cause an allergic reaction
Cons:
Low open time (epoxies cure at a slower rate) which means that it may take more than one day to fully dry. If you’re working on a large scale project this could be problematic because rubbing up against your freshly glued joints will undo some of the work and make them weak over time. You should also avoid applying pressure while they are drying. This might sound like common sense but as I mentioned before epoxies have a low open time.
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Polyurethane-based adhesive
Polyurethane-based adhesive is another type of glue that can be used for metal to wood. Polyurethanes are a good choice because they cure quickly, provide high adhesion and have excellent moisture resistance which means it will not loosen or peel off in the rain!
Pros:
- Quick curing time (polyurethane based adhesive cures at a faster rate than epoxy)
- Highly resistant against water damage – meaning your project won’t be damaged by rain, humidity or any other kind of liquid substances
Cons:
The only real con associated with using polyurethane as an adhesive is that its highly flammable so you’ll want to use caution when working near open flames. I would also recommend not using polyurethane based glue if you’re working with copper as the fumes from this type of adhesive can cause a reaction and corrosion to occur.
Construction adhesive for metal to wood
Construction adhesives are made for the sole purpose of bonding metal to wood. They’re not as strong or waterproof as epoxies but they have a longer open time which means you’ll be able to work on larger scale projects without having to worry about losing your joints and getting glue all over yourself.
Pros:
Longer open time (construction adhesive has an extended curing period) making it perfect for large-scale projects that require more than one day of drying time. It also dries clear, so if there is any excess glue left around after installation, it won’t leave behind any stains in addition to not being flammable like polyurethane based adhesives.
Cons:
Construction adhesive is not waterproof and lacks a high degree of adhesion when compared to epoxies. This means that if you install metal onto wood with construction adhesive, there will be more of an opportunity for the two materials to shift around over time as well as come apart in severe weather conditions.
Construction adhesive will also give off a strong smell while it’s curing which can be unpleasant for some people.
How to Glue Metal to Wood
Now that you know what the best instruction adhesive for which metal is, it’s time to actually talk about how to glue wood to metal the right way. Talk about how to glue wood to metal in a step by step way.
Step 1:
Make sure both surfaces are clean, dry and dust free.
Step 2:
Carefully cut the seal tips at the end of the syringe nozzle.
Step 3:
Dispense equal amounts of both liquids out of a clean disposable surface and mix them well. The mix glue will be usable for two to three minutes
Step 4:
Apply the glue mix to both surfaces of the job and bring together
Step 5:
Don’t strain the bond for at least 30 minutes and table wait the joint in place if necessary. It’ll reach maximum strength after 16 hours. For storage, place cap from plunger on nozzle.
HANDY HINT:
Clean up any uncured araldite with acetone or nail polish remover.
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Best Glue for Metal to Wood
The top best product [hide]
Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue
This glue also features a no drip consistency, so it can technically be used on vertical surfaces without the need for clamping. This glue can be used for metal, leather, cork, ceramic, wood, chipboard, fabric, paper, cardboard, rubber, and various hard plastics. Application is made easy thanks to the patented applicator. It dries clear with no clamping required.
Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy – Best For Steel & Aluminum
This product can be used both indoors and outdoors, in hot and cold conditions, and it can withstand a decent amount of moisture too. Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy also dries totally clear for an invisible finish. This glue features a fast set time of 5 minutes. This epoxy glue for metal to wood is easy to apply with precision thanks to the syringe. Gorilla Glue metal to wood glue is one of the more popular options around.
J-B Weld 8276 KwikWeld Quick Setting Steel Reinforced Epoxy
However, this product can be used to adhere virtually any materials to one another, and with amazing bond strength. It features a tensile strength of 2424 PSI and will withstand temperatures up to 300ºF. It forms a permanent bond which can be sanded, shaped, and drilled through. J-B Weld 8276 KwikWeld will set in around 6 minutes and it cures completely within 6 hours.
Franklin 2303 Titebond Polyurethane Glue – Waterproof Wood To Metal Glue
However, at the same time, it does feature a short clamp time of 45 minutes, and it should cure totally within roughly half a day. This glue dries a clear pale yellow. Franklin 2303 Titebond Polyurethane Glue is completely waterproof, making it ideal for a wide variety of applications including outdoor use. It might not have the highest bond strength out of all glues, but it still holds its own.
Gorilla Clear Grip Contact Adhesive – Quick Drying Super Glue
Gorilla Original Waterproof Polyurethane Glue
3m Marine Adhesive Sealant 5200
Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue
Our pick for the best and strongest glue for metal to wood is Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue. Simply put, it features extremely high bond strength, it’s impact, water, and temperature resistant, and it doesn’t even require clamping to properly set, even for vertical gluing. It might be a little hard to work with due to its viscosity, but the bond it forms is unquestionable.
Glue For Metal To Wood – Buying Guide & FAQ
Materials That Can Be Bonded With
Always make sure that the glue in question is in fact intended for bonding metal to wood. Moreover, be sure to read the label for what kinds of metals the glue in question works for.
Below we have checked the main project cases for gluing metal to wood.
Find yours among them or ask your question in the comments!
Aluminum to wood
Aluminum to wood is a project that definitely falls into the category of metal to wood adhesive. There are many different types of glue you can use for this type of bonding, but epoxy and polyurethane-based glues seem like your best option.
Sheet metal to wood
Sheet metal to wood, like aluminum to wood, is another project that falls under the category of metal to wood adhesive. Again, there are many different types of glue you can use for this type of bonding but epoxy and polyurethane-based glues seem like your best option.
Metal Sheeting to MDF
Metal sheathing to MDF is another project that falls under the category of metal to wood adhesive. Epoxy and polyurethane-based glues seem like your best option for this type of bonding process.
Application Type
Something else to consider before making a purchase is what kind of application is required. There is spray glue metal to wood, but spray glue often makes a mess and doesn’t bond too well. It is recommended that you get a 1 or 2 part epoxy. 1 part epoxy can be applied right out of the bottle, and so can some 2 part epoxy. However, there is also 2 part epoxy which you need to mix manually before application, which can get messy, although these tend to form a very strong bond.
Bond Strength
The bond strength is going to be very important to keep in mind, especially when attempting to bond large and heavy objects to one another. It’s always a good idea to check out how much PSI the glue in question can handle once cured. The heavier and larger the objects being glued, the higher that tensile strength needs to be. On that same note, good glue should dry relatively flexible to withstand cracking and damage caused by movement.
Resistance
Something you definitely want to look for is glue that is waterproof or at least water resistant, plus being weather and temperature resistant doesn’t hurt either. A high level of impact resistance may also be required in some cases.
Clamping, Setting, & Curing
Some glues will require clamping, most in fact, whereas some, the thicker glues, may not require clamping. Not having to use clamps can be a clear advantage. Also, try to look for glue with a moderate to fast setting and curing time. The faster it dries the faster you can get to work.
Can normal wood glue be used for metal?
Generally speaking, no, normal wood glue is designed for porous materials, and most metals are not porous, and will therefore not work.
How do you glue metal to wood?
An important part is to ensure that both surfaces are very clean and dry. Apply the glue as indicated, clamp together if needed, and allow the glue to set for the indicated time as instructed.
Does regular super glue work for bonding wood to metal?
In most instances yes, normal super glue actually works quite well to glue together all sorts of materials.
What is the best brand of glue for bonding wood to metal?
Some of the most popular and trusted brand names for this particular purpose include Titebond, Gorilla Glue, and Loctite, among others.
FAQ
Will Liquid Nails bond metal to wood?
What other adhesives can I use to bond metal to wood?
Conclusion
At the end of the day, as long as the glue in question sets and dries fast, it forms a bond with a high tensile strength that is water and temperature resistant, and it dries flexibly, you really cannot go wrong. Just ensure that the specific glue in question is in fact designed to bond metal to wood.
