Walmark Trouble Shooting

Walmark Corporation   phone: (847)546-0400   fax: (847)546-1777

Woodworking Adhesive Trouble Shooting

Glue Line Appearance
Symptom Cause Remedy
Glossy Appearance Insufficient pressure. Increase pressure.
Prolonged open time. Reduce open time.
Adhesive On One Surface Only Poor joint fit. Improve joint quality.
Prolonged open time. Reduce open time.
Precure of adhesive. Check wood moisture content or decrease assmembly time.
Inadequate pressure. Increase Pressure.
Spongy Looks Cellular Foam in adhesive. Replace glue.
Inadequate pressure. Increase pressure.
Pressure removed too soon. Increase press time.
Chalky Adhesive, Stock and Surroundings Too Cold. Warm up plant (65oF) and Stock.
Blue-Black Stain On Hardwoods Iron contamination. Check equipment for contact of adhesive bare iron.
Thick, Noticeable Glue Line Poor fit. Check joint quality. Avoid hollow joints.
Inadequate pressure. Increase pressure.
Prolonged closed assembly line. Reduce assembly time.



Finished Construction Appearance
Symptom Cause Remedy
Prominent Glue Line
viewed in incident light.
Thick glue line. Improve joint quality.
Glue and finishing materials incompatible. Check with adhesive and finish suppliers.
Varying moitsture contents of wood at time of gluing. Check kiln schedule.
Oversanded (scoured). Cunsult abrasive supplier.
Sunken joints. Allow time for glued off stock to equalize before processing.
Warping Unbalanced construction. See U.S. Forest Products Lab #2197.
Unbalanced finishing. Seal underside of panel.
Unbalanced moisture content of components. Bring all parts to equilibrium before gluing.
Telegraphing Dirt, chips, etc., on core or in adhesive. Keep laminating area clean.
Surface defects on core material. Clean and inspect cores before laminating.
Differential density in core (e.g., lumber banded particleboard to core). Press at minimum safe pressure.
Check thickness of band relative to core.
End Checking Stock at too high moisture content when glued. Check kiln schedule.
Starved joints. Avoid hollow joints.
Wood not sized. Check kiln schedule.
Blisters
(decorative laminate)
Variation in core caliper. Check Coating uniformity face and back.
Glue line skip. Check Coating uniformity face and back.
Localized pressure. Check Coating uniformity face and back.
Steam pockets. Reduce spread rate/press temperature.
Loose Veneers Insufficient pressure due to extended closed assembly or core too dry. Reduce closed assembly time.
Poor bond but glue on both surfaces. Increase pressure.
Loose Corners Insufficient pressures or press time. Increase pressures and/or press time.
Lumber bands under size. Make lumber bands same thickness as core.
Core edges undersize. Check caliper of edges to give less than 0.005" variation.