- Q.If a joint
assembled with yellow carpenter’s glue freezes
before it cures, will the joint lose its
strength?
A.Absolutely. The
minimum application temperature for PVA glues,
including yellow glue, is 50°F. While the
glue itself can endure several freeze-thaw cycles,
a joint with frozen glue will not develop a bond
that’s as strong as that in warmer
temperatures. The glue will "chalk" at temperatures
between 30°F and 40°F.
Try it for yourself — glue some wood
together and stick it in a freezer. The next day,
you should be able to pull the joint apart by
hand.
— J.J.