How to Glue Black Walnut

Black walnut is the only dark hardwood native to North America.

Black walnut, also called American black walnut, is the only dark wood native to North America. The dark brown of the wood is useful in many articles of furniture, architectural accents, such as flooring and paneling, and musical instruments. According to For Wood Lovers website, black walnut wood is a hardwood that is easily stained and adhered with standard wood glues. Glue black walnut wood to other wood or the same wood with carpenter's wood glue or a specially tinted dark wood glue and some prior preparation.

Things You'll Need

• Face mask
• Fine grit sandpaper
• Carpenter's wood glue or dark wood glue
• Glue brush or roller (optional)
• Clamps (optional)
• Rags
• Water

Instructions

1. Put on a protective face mask.

2. Sand the area to be glued on the piece of black walnut wood or the black walnut wood object with a piece of fine grit sandpaper. Sand in small, circular motions until you have created an area of slight texture. Texture assists the bonding of the glue to the wood.

3. Squirt carpenter's wood glue or dark wood glue over the textured area of the black walnut wood or wood object in a back and forth motion. When the black walnut is pressed to the other object, the glue will spread over the surface.

4. Squirt carpenter's wood glue or dark wood glue onto the other wood or wood item to be adhered to the black walnut wood or wood item.

5. Press the two wood pieces or items together. Hold in place for about 10 minutes or apply a clamp, such as a C-clamp, to the outer edges of both wood objects and screw the clamp into place. Because of the wood's hard nature, padding between the clamp and wood isn't necessary. According to Wood Magazine, standard yellow carpenter's wood glue will completely set in about 30 minutes.

6. Clean any glue drips with a wet rag before the glue dries to avoid staining your black walnut wood object. Once dark wood glue dries, it may be necessary to sand away the drippings, so be sure to remove excess with a rag while the glue is wet.

Tips & Warnings

• Protective face masks are available as disposable or professional masks at hardware and home improvement stores. It is imperative that you wear a face mask when working with black walnut wood because, according to For Wood Lovers website, dust from the wood irritates inhalation passages and eyes.

• According to Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, glue may be applied to black walnut with a glue brush or rolled and spread onto the wood with a adhesive roller. Glue, brushes and rollers are available at hardware and home improvement stores.

• According to Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, in a product safety brochure, it is noted that wood glue should not be immersed in water or used for weight bearing adhesion.

• Do not freeze wood glue, or use if the temperature is below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Wood glues should always be kept out of reach of pets and children.

References

• For Wood Lovers: American Black Walnut Lumber Information
• Wood Magazine: Guide to Woodworking Glues
• Rockler Woodworking and Hardware: Dark Wood Glue Product Safety Brochure
• Rockler Woodworking and Hardware: Dark Wood Glue Product Details