Gluing Wood on Hardboard

Nature Man

Member
Full Member
Messages
13,538
Reaction score
11,110
Location
Bulverde, TX
First name
Chuck
Does anyone have experience gluing wood pieces on Hardboard? My son has an artistic project that he wants to glue wood pieces in a design onto a board that he will frame. Any pitfalls to know about? Or would another type of backing be more suitable? Thanks! Chuck
 

DLJeffs

Member
Full Member
Messages
4,331
Reaction score
10,074
Location
central Oregon
First name
Doug
Hey Chuck,
I've glued pine/fir to hardboard before with Titebond. It held fine. Probably stronger than the hardboard itself. Haven't tried CA glue though.
 

Nature Man

Member
Full Member
Messages
13,538
Reaction score
11,110
Location
Bulverde, TX
First name
Chuck
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3
Hey Chuck,
I've glued pine/fir to hardboard before with Titebond. It held fine. Probably stronger than the hardboard itself. Haven't tried CA glue though.
Titebond I or II or III or ??? Chuck
 

lonewolf

Member
Full Member
Messages
771
Reaction score
1,124
Location
thaxton va.
First name
Martin
I wouldn't use tempered hardboard the surface is less porous. Regular hardboard should be ok .
 

Maverick

Member
Full Member
Messages
2,036
Reaction score
5,699
Location
Las Vegas
First name
John
If I was going to glue to hardboard, I would sand the area first to give the glue a better hold. Another option, would be to use MDF. That I know you won't have any glue problems with.
 

Nature Man

Member
Full Member
Messages
13,538
Reaction score
11,110
Location
Bulverde, TX
First name
Chuck
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8
If I was going to glue to hardboard, I would sand the area first to give the glue a better hold. Another option, would be to use MDF. That I know you won't have any glue problems with.
The backing needs to be reasonably thin in order to fit in a frame to be hung on the wall. Figured a 1/4" thickness would be about as think as it should be. Had some hardboard, but then got to wondering about glueability. Chuck
 

Maverick

Member
Full Member
Messages
2,036
Reaction score
5,699
Location
Las Vegas
First name
John
Makes sense. I don't think you will have any problems, especially if you rough it up a little where you glue on to. If you have time, and have some spare pieces, maybe do a test run first.
 

Nature Man

Member
Full Member
Messages
13,538
Reaction score
11,110
Location
Bulverde, TX
First name
Chuck
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10
Makes sense. I don't think you will have any problems, especially if you rough it up a little where you glue on to. If you have time, and have some spare pieces, maybe do a test run first.
Good idea on the test run! Thanks! Chuck
 

sprucegum

Member
Full Member
Messages
3,855
Reaction score
8,112
Location
Vermont
First name
Dave
By hardboard I assume you are talking about the brown masonite MDF type board. The only real potential problem I can see is that the stuff absorbs moisture like a sponge and will expand and contract as it gains and looses moisture. Maybe seal the whole project with some oil base poly ?
 

Nature Man

Member
Full Member
Messages
13,538
Reaction score
11,110
Location
Bulverde, TX
First name
Chuck
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12
By hardboard I assume you are talking about the brown masonite MDF type board. The only real potential problem I can see is that the stuff absorbs moisture like a sponge and will expand and contract as it gains and looses moisture. Maybe seal the whole project with some oil base poly ?
Yes on the masonite MDF type board. Had not thought about moisture absorption. Thanks! Chuck
 

Nature Man

Member
Full Member
Messages
13,538
Reaction score
11,110
Location
Bulverde, TX
First name
Chuck
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #13
On a related note, I did do a test run using Titebond III and StickFast CA Medium. Both worked equally as well. And the test was also to see if the glues would be effective on African Blackwood (ABW), which I've heard has a problem with gluing, and the ABW adhered to the Hardboard without a problem using both types of glue. Chuck
 

Chris S.

Member
Full Member
Messages
1,077
Reaction score
1,224
Location
Front Royal, VA
First name
Chris
I can attest to CA will bond extremely well to hardboard. I have a grinder mounted to some plywood to make easy to clamp down for use then remove to store away when not in use. Well, at least it used to move easily. I accidently knocked over a large bottle of thin CA I had, like 10 oz large bottle, which ran all under my plywood grinder was mounted to sitting in my radial arm saw table which is covered with hardboard. Happened while leaving shop for night and did not notice what happened. The thing will not let loose. I have had to resort to chisel and prybars to remove it. Neither the plywood base nore the hardboard top of my radial arm saw table survived the experience.
 
Top