Chart

Glue open time and clamp time chart

How long you have to close a joint, how long to leave the clamps on, and when the joint can take a load, for common wood glues by name. Every figure is from the maker’s data sheet or product page. Times change with temperature, humidity and the wood, so always follow the label.

Glue-up checklist

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The chart

Glue	Open time	Clamp time	Full cure	Minimum temperature	Water resistance	Cleanup
Titebond Original Wood Glue PVA (yellow glue)	4 min 4–6 minutes open assembly; 10–15 minutes total assembly (70°F, 50% RH). We use 4.	1 h 30 minutes to 1 hour for an unstressed joint (most Titebond wood glues); 24 hours for stressed joints. We use 1 hour.	24 h Do not stress the joint for at least 24 hours.	50°F (glue, air and materials)	Not for exterior use or where moisture is likely (no water-resistance rating)	Damp cloth while wet. Scrape off and sand dried excess.
Titebond II Premium Wood Glue Cross-linking PVA	3 min 3–5 minutes open assembly; 10–15 minutes total assembly (70°F, 50% RH). We use 3.	1 h 30 minutes to 1 hour for an unstressed joint (most Titebond wood glues); 24 hours for stressed joints. We use 1 hour.	24 h Do not stress the joint for at least 24 hours.	55°F (glue, air and materials)	ANSI/HPVA Type II water-resistant. Not for continuous submersion or below the waterline.	Damp cloth while wet. Scrape off and sand dried excess.
Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue Proprietary polymer (PVA-type)	8 min 8–10 minutes open assembly; 20–25 minutes total assembly (70°F, 50% RH). We use 8.	1 h 30 minutes to 1 hour for an unstressed joint (most Titebond wood glues); 24 hours for stressed joints. We use 1 hour.	24 h Do not stress the joint for at least 24 hours.	47°F application temperature (the sheet gives 45°F as the lowest chalk temperature; we use the higher 47°F)	ANSI/HPVA Type I water-resistant. Not for continuous submersion or below the waterline.	Damp cloth while wet. Scrape off and sand dried excess.
Titebond Genuine Hide Glue (formerly Liquid Hide Glue) Liquid hide glue	10 min 10 minutes open assembly; 20–30 minutes total assembly (70°F, 50% RH).	— No set time: it is sensitive to humidity. Titebond suggests gluing a scrap next to the piece and unclamping when the scrap’s glue is dry.	24 h Wait at least 24 hours before stressing the joints.	50°F application temperature	Not for exterior use or where moisture is likely (no water-resistance rating)	Damp cloth while wet. Scrape off and sand dried excess.
Gorilla Wood Glue Cross-linking PVA	— Not stated on the US product page. Follow the label.	30 min 20–30 minutes at room temperature. We use 30.	24 h 24 hours to full bond strength.	55°F (application 55–75°F)	ANSI/HPVA Type II water-resistant. Not recommended for continual water exposure.	Clean, damp cloth while wet. Shave dried glue with a putty knife, razor or scraper, then sand. Wash hands in warm soapy water.
Original Gorilla Glue Polyurethane (moisture-activated)	— Not stated on the product page. Follow the label.	2 h 1–2 hours. We use 2. Lightly dampen one surface first (both on dense hardwoods); the glue expands.	24 h Allow 24 hours to cure for best results.	40°F (application above 40°F)	ANSI/HPVA Type I; the maker calls it 100% waterproof.	Wet squeeze-out: dry cloth or standard paint thinner (wear gloves; follow the thinner’s directions). Dried glue: sand, chisel or scrape.
WEST SYSTEM 105 Resin / 205 Fast Hardener Epoxy, fast	9 min Pot life 9–12 minutes (100 g cup at 72°F); thin-film working time 60–70 minutes. We use 9: mix small batches and spread them out at once.	8 h Until cured to a solid: 6–8 hours (thin film). We use 8.	96 h Working strength in 1–4 days. We use 4 days.	40°F minimum recommended	Moisture-resistant (no ANSI/HPVA type stated)	Scrape up, then clean resin or mixed epoxy residue with acetone, lacquer thinner or alcohol; hardener residue with warm soapy water. Never use solvents on skin.
WEST SYSTEM 105 Resin / 206 Slow Hardener Epoxy, slow	20 min Pot life 20–25 minutes (100 g cup at 72°F); thin-film working time 90–110 minutes. We use 20.	15 h Until cured to a solid: 10–15 hours (thin film). We use 15.	96 h Working strength in 1–4 days. We use 4 days.	60°F minimum recommended	Moisture-resistant (no ANSI/HPVA type stated)	Scrape up, then clean resin or mixed epoxy residue with acetone, lacquer thinner or alcohol; hardener residue with warm soapy water. Never use solvents on skin.
Titebond Instant Bond Wood Adhesive, Medium CA (cyanoacrylate)	6 s About 7 seconds (handling); sets in about 5 seconds.	30 s Usually none: 30-second cure. Hold parts together until set.	8 h Full cure in 8 hours.	50°F application; best results 55–85°F (we use 55°F)	Not intended for exterior use or where moisture is likely (no ANSI/HPVA type stated)	Acetone. Follow the solvent maker’s precautions.

How we picked the numbers

Where a maker gives a range, we use the cautious end: the shortest open time (so you are not caught out) and the longest clamp and cure time (so you do not unclamp too soon). The full published range is shown in each cell.
Open time is usually measured at about 70°F and 50% humidity. Heat, dry air, thirsty wood and thin glue lines shorten it; cold and damp slow the clamp and cure times.
For epoxy, the number we use is the pot life of a mixed cup. Spread out thin, epoxy stays workable longer (the working time), but a full cup in your hand gets hot and sets fast.
Products and formulas change. Check the label on the bottle you buy: it wins over anything here.

What is not here

Gorilla does not state an open time on its US product pages for Gorilla Wood Glue or Original Gorilla Glue, so those cells say so. We left out 5-minute epoxy because we did not find a maker’s data sheet for a named retail product to cite. We include a figure only when the maker publishes it.

Safety

Read the label and the Safety Data Sheet before use. What each maker’s page says:

Titebond Original Wood Glue, Titebond II Premium Wood Glue: Caution: eye and skin irritant. Do not allow eye contact or prolonged skin contact.
Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue: The data sheet says to read the SDS before use and keep out of reach of children.
Titebond Genuine Hide Glue (formerly Liquid Hide Glue): Caution: eye irritant. Contact with eye will cause irritation. Do not take internally. Not intended for use by children.
Gorilla Wood Glue: Not stated on the product page beyond its first aid and SDS link. Follow the label.
Original Gorilla Glue: Wear gloves. In some instances, Gorilla Glue can be a skin sensitizer. Gorilla does not recommend alcohol or acetone to remove it from skin.
WEST SYSTEM 105 Resin / 205 Fast Hardener, WEST SYSTEM 105 Resin / 206 Slow Hardener: Avoid contact with resin, hardener, mixed epoxy and sanding dust: wear gloves, eye protection and protective clothing. Stop using the product if you develop a reaction; breathing partially cured epoxy dust increases your risk of sensitization. Provide ventilation, and wear respiratory protection if you can't ventilate; use an N95 or better mask for sanding dust. Never use solvents to remove epoxy from your skin. Do not throw hardener away with sawdust: it can catch fire on its own.
Titebond Instant Bond Wood Adhesive, Medium: Danger: combustible liquid. Bonds skin, eye and other tissue instantly. Irritating to eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Do not allow eye or skin contact. Avoid breathing vapors. Not for use on products in contact with food items.

Sources

Figures are from each maker's data sheet or product page as of October 25, 2026; follow the current label.

This chart is for planning only. It is not professional advice. Product names are trademarks of their owners; we're not affiliated with them. Always follow your product's label and the maker's instructions.

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