My Barcelona cabinet glue catastrophe

I was helping a friend in Barcelona build a kitchen cabinet last summer. We used a two-part epoxy, but the instructions were in Catalan so we guessed the mix. It hardened way too fast, like in minutes, while we were still adjusting the clamps. We spent the rest of the day scraping rock-solid glue off his tile counter.

3 comments

3 Comments

juliag9414d ago

Really? I actually prefer when epoxy cures quick like that. @jennifer_patel70's method works for careful jobs, but if you're in a hurry, fast glue means you can set it and forget it. I once used a five-minute epoxy on a wobbly chair leg and it was done before I could even clean my hands. The rush forces you to be ready, which isn't always bad.

the_michael12d ago

My buddy Dave tried to fix his fishing rod with five-minute epoxy last summer. He mixed it up and had to work fast before it set. He got the pieces aligned, but some glue dripped on his shorts. By the time he noticed, it was already hard as a rock. He still wears those shorts with the epoxy stain as a reminder. The rush made him focus, but it also left a permanent mark.

jennifer_patel7014d ago

Oh, I feel your pain! We had the same issue with a quick-set epoxy on a bookshelf project. What saved us was pre-fitting everything dry first and mixing tiny batches. For counter glue, keep a rag soaked in acetone handy to wipe spills before it cures. Always do a test mix on scrap wood to time the working life. It's a messy lesson but you'll nail it next time!