Various adhesives have been used throughout the tenure of The New Yankee Workshop. Here is some information on them:
Yellow (or brown) Carpenter's Glue: The ubiquitous glue in every woodworker's shop. Sometimes called PVA or poly vinyl acetate—also called aliphatic resins (I'm sure there's a difference, but it's hard to sort it out), versions are made by Franklin (Titebond), Elmers, and others. Used in practically every project Norm's done.
Hide Glue: The original adhesive—examples of use date back over 5,000 years. In fact, noted woodworking chemistry expert Michael Dresdner says that hide glue is actually the only real glue—that PVAs, epoxies, polyurethanes, etc. are technically adhesives. The traditional hide glue is prepared using a hot pot—although there is a bottled formulation for cold use, it doesn't share all of the properties of hot hide glue. I don't think Norm has ever used the hot variety, but in my latest run-through of the episodes, I found that he had used the cold version at least once (Episode 1405, Canopy Bed).
Waterproof Resin Glue: I'm not sure what adhesive Norm means when he uses this. It could be Titebond II. It could also be a urea formaldehyde glue (such as Weldwood). He's used it in many of the outdoor projects. I'll investigate further as I encounter instances in my latest run-through.
Polyurethane Glue: Norm coyly referred to this as his moisture cured adhesive for a while. Gorilla is a well known brand, and was actually the one he used at first. Franklin also makes one. Wear some sort of hand protection when using, because it only comes off one way—and it takes about two weeks. I seem to recall that Norm was quite enamored with this adhesive for some time after its introduction in Episode 808 (Wine Rack).
Resorcinol Resin: This two part adhesive has been around for years, and is about the only truly waterproof glue suitable for boat building. Be sure and clean it up before it cures—it leaves a residue that, while it can be physically chipped or abraded away, still leaves a nasty, burgundy colored stain. I believe Norm only used it in a few episodes (212, English Garden Bench).
Epoxy: Another two part adhesive, epoxy is most frequently used in conjunction with fiberglass but is also sometimes used as a stand alone adhesive. It has good properties for joining dissimilar materials. Norm used a lot of it in the Sailboat episodes (708, 709). In fact, someone put together an hilarious video in which it's pointed out that Norm said “epoxy” some 42 times in that project.
Cyanoacrylate: Super Glue™. Everyone knows it but many can't pronounce it (sigh-an-oh-ack-rih-late). Available in a variety of formulations which vary as to quickness of set and viscosity. Frequently used with an accelerator which turns it into an almost instant adhesive. I don't recall if Norm has used it. I'll check.
Contact Cement: Long available as a VOC (volatile organic compounds) product, easily identifiable by its odor, but also now available in a water soluble formulation. Its purpose is generally for applying manmade veneers such as high pressure laminate to a substrate. It can also be used for bentwood laminations, but correction for springback has to be made as it can creep. Both surfaces are coated and permitted to dry to a tack. Then they are placed together where they adhere on contact (hence the name). Make sure you have things lined up before the contact, because there is no second chance—it's stuck. Norm first used it in Season One (106, the Bathroom Vanity).
Interestingly, for all the ubiquity of yellow glue, it's taken nearly twenty years for Franklin Adhesives to sign on as a permanent underwriter of The New Yankee Workshop, although they've been credited in individual episodes on occasion. Welcome, nevertheless.
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