Call me cheap...

 

Exactly what I use ..... Can't come cheaper !!

 

Only if you buy in large quantities. If you buy glue by the gallon it is easier to fill a more manageable container. Like Dan I have used recycled containers, Glue-bots, Dixie cups, etc.

 

I picked up the Rockler Glue Applicator Set on sale $10.00 I like the different heads, works for me.

 

I buy cheep condiment bottles in pairs. Always have a spare. Fill 'em from the jug.

 

DaninVan,

Haaa! I had a dish detergent squeeze bottle filled with glue for a couple 3 yrs. It dispensed glue better and is easier to clear out tip clogs without damaging the nozzle. Not to mention better for larger projects, less refills.

 

I like my glubot and baby glubot from fastcap.

GluBot, 16 oz. - FastCap - Woodworking Tools

 

I use all the above plus 60CC THUMB GRIP SYRINGE

 

I have these around for medical purposes, but that would be good. I did buy a couple of dozen small syringes of the same type for when I want to inject glue. They have a much finer tip for injecting glue into tight spaces. I guess you could wash them out and reuse these, but my 60cc syringes only cost about 60 cents each so why bother. They do come with caps to seal them between uses, if you can find the darn caps on a crowded workbench.

 

I have resisted the urge to buy large quantities so I'll always have fresh glue. I noticed that it thickens somewhat with age. I've found the baby bot by Fastcap to be handy for application to vertical surfaces. Otherwise, the Titebond squeeze bottle has worked great for me.

 

Several years ago I bought a 5 gallon bucket of glue which requires a small amount of catalyst to make it set up. I think the big bucket has been through a few freeze/thaw cycles and yet it still works fine. Looks just like any other white glue.

 

GluBot is what I use and it is great. I have both sizes, and a few extra tips. It really saves a lot of time if you in the shop all day waiting on that glue to come out.

 

I do like Mike and buy condiment bottles. Works for me.

 

DaninVan is the man w/ the plan...
for volume gluing...

notched squeegee (notch the edge by scraping the edge over very coarse sandpaper)..

.

and this... (note the nozzle)

.

and the old standby... (in different sizes and stiffnesses)...

.

 

I buy those brushes at harbor freight by the bagful,

 

they wash up very nicely w/ hot water...

 

Man, I remember those little metal handled brushes from kindergarten, for Heaven's sake! There was always some kid eating the Library paste off them...
I also remember that as being the end of inkwells and nibbed pens at our desks!
The smell of Library paste brings back fond memories, eh?

 

As kids in those days we'd eat almost anything. I remember digging the tar out of wide road cracks and chewing it so we could spit like the cowboys did in the movies. Or at the "show" as it was called way back then.

 

I have a bit of arthritis in my thumbs and squeezing the bottles is painful at times. I like the Glubot bottles and use the silicon brushes from Rockler to spread. I like the fact that I don't have to run and clean the brushes each time I use one. Just peel the glue off and go.

 

Forgive me for not answering your question. I would be leery of any aftermarket glue that doesn't have good reviews, or any reviews at all for that matter. It's good to be able to come to this forum for advice. There is tons of it.
My opinion on the matter is how much does your project mean to you or to others. A little savings now could result in major disappointment and catastrophe later. For me, I stick with TiteBond.

 

My wife dies her hair so I use the little squeeze bottles when she is done.
Mostly I use a 3" paint roller to spread the glue and a freezer container to hold the glue.

 

For biscuit slots I like disposable syringes (without the needles), and then a pipe cleaner made into a circular shape for spreading in the slot.

 

My only complaint with the bottles that the glue comes in is that the tip always ends up breaking off so it isn't air tight.

 

I have both sizes of Glue Bots. Far easier to use than the bottles. Better control of where the glue goes and the double chamber means that when you release the pressure on the sides, the bottle sucks the glue back into the bottle. You can cut the tip a little with scissors to control how much glue passes through. Far more control than using the glue bottle, and the tip on the Blue Bots has never clogged whereas the original bottle often requires a paper towel wipe to keep it from clogging.

I use brushes for dados, but I often have very thin strips of cutoffs, which I cut into short lengths and use to spread glue over any larger surface. Faster than a brush when you have short open time and a lot of pieces to connect. Thanks stick for the brush washing tip, I have always just tossed them out.

 

Good idea Tom. I use a piece of cardboard to spread glue over large areas.

 

so does my finger which I can usually find quicker than the brushes.

 

truth is that for spreading the glue, I'm also mostly a finger guy!

that's spreading glue I'm talking about guys, get your minds outta the gutter!

 

I buy glue by the gallon that is why I use aftermarket bottles. But if you don't use it up fast enough you are better off buying smaller qty's because it will go bad.

 

I hear that, Roxanne!
In a few instances I've added a bit of water to dilute the thickening glue, but I've worried that might be a real bad idea?
Is the thickening a reaction, or simply evaporation?
The difference in per fl. oz. cost between the small bottles and the gallon jug is pretty significant
http://www.amazon.ca/s/?ie=UTF8&key...rand=7018664406205880729&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_3obx9gxpmh_b

 

one of the things I do with a gallon bottle of glue is as I use it, squeeze the air out to the lid then cover with a bit of plastic wrap then put the cap back on. This seems to keep my glue healthy.

 

I use a roller for big glue ups where you need to cover area quickly. Biscuit & Roller Glue Applicator Set - Lee Valley Tools Index finger gets used quite a bit but I try and avoid that when I'm using Melamine or polyurethane glue as they don't come off, you wear them off. For really tight spots I use a syringe and large gauge needle. I have gotten some funny looks when I go into a drugstore and ask for the largest bore needle they have.

 

I used to buy strictly by the gallon, glue does thicken up if it sits for too long or it has an air void. If the bottle is seeing regular use you can roll the bottle around every month or so to keep it mixed. For long term squeeze the bottle to remove the air then recap it. Also as I began using dish detergent bottles, empty the gallon bottles into them, keep them full and secured.

For large wide open areas I use mastic trowels, you can spread with notched and smooth edges then hit it with hot water from the sink sprayer quick and easy clean up. Putty knives and different width drywall knives to suite.