by kittyfritters » Fri Feb 24, 2012 1:04 pm
In my experience, I find that structures are "handleable" after about 30 minutes of drying time, allowing you to continue with the next step in construction. "Complex" structures, such as sheeted, "D-tube" leading edges, should stay in the clamps or pins for a couple of hours. In any event Elmer's joints should set overnight to develop maximum strength.
Sometimes, when pressed for time, I will force the setting of the glue. If you have the room to put the structure in a 200 degree (F) oven, the glue will, for all practical purposes, set hard in 20 minutes. Don't go over 212 degrees or the water in the glue will boil blowing the joints apart before they set. If you are using plastic clamps make sure they can handle the heat. This applies to Elmer's Professional Carpenter's glues and the TiteBond I, II,and III glues also.