History of Glue & Wood Adhesives Explained

A Sticky History: From Stone Age Bitumen to Modern Glue

By Alan MacPherson

Glue has played a vital role in human craftsmanship for thousands of years. From early Stone Age adhesives to the advanced wood glues used in modern woodworking, the evolution of adhesives has shaped how tools, furniture, and traditional sporting equipment are made, including handmade shinty camans. Long before synthetic glue bottles and chemical formulas, early humans were already developing ingenious ways to bond materials together.

Archaeologists believe that Stone Age cave dwellers were among the first to use adhesives, applying natural bitumen (a tar-like substance) to secure flint axe heads to wooden shafts, a crucial advancement in early tool-making.

As time went on, ancient civilizations refined the craft using what they had around them. From sugar and fish skins to animal hides boiled in water, early glues were simple, natural, and incredibly effective for their time.

The Egyptians, as far back as 2000 BC, were using hide glue, primarily in the construction of furniture. Later, the Romans followed suit, using similar animal-based adhesives in woodworking.

From Natural Origins to Synthetic Science

Though many of these traditional adhesives are still in use today, especially in fine crafts, modern life leans heavily on synthetic alternatives. You can often tell just how chemical-based they are from their names:

• Polyvinyl acetate (PVA)
• Phenol formaldehyde (PH)
• Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)
• Cyanoacrylate (better known as super glue)

Many of these are part of a family known as synthetic resins, so named because resin, a naturally sticky substance found in pine trees and plants, was one of the earliest known adhesives.

The Enduring Role of Hide Glue

While the popularity of hide glue dipped significantly with the introduction of PVA and other modern glues, it hasn’t disappeared. Today, it’s still prized in specialist fields like furniture restoration, musical instrument making, and traditional woodworking, places where authenticity, reversibility, and natural bonding qualities matter.

Hide glue:

• Cures at room temperature
• Creates a strong, natural bond
• Is brittle, meaning it breaks cleanly under strong impact
• Can be reactivated with heat and moisture, making repairs easier

However, it isn’t without its downsides. Hide glue is less effective under high pressure or heat, and it doesn’t have the long-term resistance that modern synthetic glues can offer, making it less ideal for items exposed to the elements or daily use.

Understanding PVA Glue – The Workhorse of Woodworking

When we talk about building camans that last, camans that can withstand the speed and force of shinty, the choice of glue matters just as much as the quality of the wood. And one of the most reliable adhesives we use in our workshop is PVA glue.

But what exactly is PVA? And why has it become the go-to adhesive for woodworkers around the world?

A Century of Sticking Power

Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA) was first discovered in 1912 by Dr. Fritz Klatte in Germany. While it was initially explored for industrial purposes, PVA wasn’t widely used as an adhesive until the 1950s, and it’s been a staple in woodworking ever since.

Today, you’ll often hear it called:

• White glue
• Wood glue
• Carpenter’s glue (especially when referring to the yellow-tinted aliphatic resin variety)

Why Woodworkers Trust PVA

PVA glue is:

• Water-based, so it’s easy to clean up
• Non-toxic, making it safer for use in traditional workshops
• Versatile, working on all types of wood

It works by evaporation. Once applied, the water component slowly evaporates, leaving behind a rubbery, plastic-like bond. This creates a flexible, durable joint, perfect for materials like wood that naturally expand and contract with moisture and temperature.

The aliphatic resin version (commonly known as yellow glue) is a modified form of PVA, designed specifically for woodworking. It offers slightly stronger bonds and better heat resistance, a real plus in caman production.

The Patience of a Good Bond

If there’s one catch with PVA glues, it’s the drying time. These adhesives cure slowly because they rely on evaporation:

• Clamping is recommended for at least an hour
• For best results, joints should remain under tension for up to 18 hours
• Full curing can take up to 24 hours, depending on humidity and temperature

This slow cure time may seem like a downside, but it actually plays to our advantage. It allows for careful alignment, repositioning if needed, and a strong, lasting hold once set.

How Strong Is It?

On average, basic PVA wood glue can withstand around 300 pounds per square inch (psi). By comparison:

• Polyurethane glue can reach 3,500 psi
• Two-part epoxies can hold up to 6,000 psi

While PVA isn’t the strongest adhesive on paper, its flexibility makes it ideal for applications like camans that must absorb shock and resist impact. The joint may not be indestructible, but it bends with the blow, not unlike the stick itself.

Limitations to Keep in Mind

• PVA doesn’t bond well to non-porous materials
• It needs a textured surface to form a reliable hold
• It can’t be rushed — early movement will weaken the bond

Polyurethane Glue – A Modern Adhesive with Serious Strength

When it comes to glue, few modern adhesives pack the punch of polyurethane glue. Though it’s only become widely used as an adhesive in the last two decades, its strength, flexibility, and versatility make it a serious player in high-performance woodworking, and an option we occasionally turn to in the caman-making process.

But how did it come about? And what makes it so different from traditional adhesives?

A Quick History

Professor Dr. Otto Bayer first invented polyurethane in the 1930s. A pioneering scientist working with plastics, he led research into materials that could be shaped, cured, and adapted for industrial use.

While polyurethane had many early applications in plastics and foams, it didn’t gain popularity as a glue until much later. Over the last 20 years, it’s emerged as a go-to adhesive in both professional workshops and DIY projects, prized for its strength and adaptability.

How It Works

Polyurethane glue is moisture-activated. It cures through a chemical reaction with water, and that’s where things get interesting.

Once exposed to moisture (either from the air or the materials being glued), the glue:

• Begins to foam and expand
• Generates a small amount of heat
• Hardens into an incredibly tough, resilient bond

You have a working time of around 15 minutes, so once it’s applied, things move quickly. It’s important to position and clamp your materials within that window.

Safety First

One of the most important things to know about polyurethane glue is this:

🔴 It is toxic and carcinogenic in liquid form.

• Always wear gloves and eye protection.
• Avoid skin contact and never ingest.
• Work in a well-ventilated area.

Interestingly, once fully cured, polyurethane glue becomes completely food-safe, a dramatic transformation that highlights just how different cured adhesives are from their original chemical state.

Strength & Flexibility

Polyurethane glue stands out because it:

• Bonds to both porous and non-porous materials
• Expands to fill gaps
• Remains flexible once cured, offering excellent impact resistance
• Has exceptional holding strength, though not quite as strong as high-end epoxy resins

This combination makes it ideal for applications where materials are subject to movement, vibration, or stress, which is why it’s become popular in certain areas of woodworking, construction, and even boat-building.

Things to Watch Out For

Despite its benefits, polyurethane glue isn’t without its challenges:

• It has a limited shelf life once opened, exposure to air and humidity can start the curing process inside the bottle.
• It expands as it cures, which can be a blessing or a curse depending on your project.
• Clamping too tightly can cause glue squeeze-out, leaving you with more glue on the bench than in the joint!

Epoxy Resin – The Heavyweight Champion of Wood Adhesives

When strength, precision, and durability matter most, epoxy glue is often the adhesive of choice. With origins in early 20th-century chemistry and applications ranging from boats to bridges, and yes, the occasional shinty stick, epoxy is one of the strongest glues in the world.

A Brief History of Epoxy

Epoxy has been around longer than many think. It was first discovered and patented by Paul Schlack of Germany in 1934, using epoxides and amines to create a strong chemical bond.

Later, in 1943, Pierre Castan of Switzerland developed another widely used variant: Bisphenol A (BPA). This particular formulation would go on to form the foundation of many modern epoxy adhesives used today.

How Epoxy Works

Epoxy typically comes in two parts:

• The resin
• The hardener

When mixed together, a chemical reaction occurs, forming a dense, solid bond. This reaction is what gives epoxy its incredible strength, gap-filling ability, and resistance to moisture.

• It’s waterproof
• It bonds to porous and non-porous materials
• It cures to a rock-hard finish
• It’s self-leveling and excellent for detailed joins or coatings

Epoxy can take time to cure, often between 8 to 10 hours, but the results are well worth the wait. Some formulations, especially two-part epoxies, can hold up to 6,000 pounds per square inch, making them one of the strongest adhesives on the market.

Resin Glue and Working with Heat

Resin glue, a product of epoxy mixed with solvents, catalysts, and hardeners, is available in both liquid and powder form. While it’s known for its relatively pleasant odour and versatile uses, its performance hinges heavily on temperature.

For a proper cure, temperatures need to stay above 21–24°C throughout the drying process. Here in Scotland, that’s not always guaranteed, so we’ve developed a few workarounds in the workshop.

• Using a toaster oven set to around 65°C is a great way to speed up curing.
• But there’s a trade-off:
• The resin will draw moisture out of the timber
• The wood can become too dry and brittle if overcured
• Epoxy cures very hard and rigid, meaning less flexibility in high-impact situations

This makes epoxy perfect for presentation camans, high-detail restoration, or structural applications, but not always ideal for everyday play sticks, where a bit of flex is key.

Key Considerations for Using Epoxy

✅ Extreme strength, up to 6,000 psi
✅ Waterproof and gap-filling
✅ Great for non-porous materials
✅ Ideal for precision work and restoration

⚠️ Long curing time
⚠️ Requires controlled temperature
⚠️ Can make wood overly dry
⚠️ Dries extremely hard and inflexible

Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant Wood Glues – What You Really Need to Know

When it comes to glue, especially for something as rugged and weather-exposed as a shinty caman, water resistance matters. But here’s the catch: not all wood glues are created equal, and not all marketing labels tell the full story.

Understanding the difference between waterproof and water-resistant glue can make or break your project, literally.

Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant: What’s the Difference?

• Waterproof glue means water cannot penetrate the adhesive, even under constant exposure to moisture. It holds up outdoors, in damp environments, and through changing weather conditions.
• Water-resistant glue, on the other hand, means the glue repels water, but only up to a point. Prolonged exposure can eventually weaken the bond as water slowly seeps in and breaks it down.

Reading the Labels: What to Look For

To help clarify how a glue performs, manufacturers often include ANSI/HPVA (American National Standards Institute / Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Association) ratings on their packaging. These are the standards you want to keep an eye out for:

🔹 Type I – Waterproof

• Fully waterproof under all conditions
• Suitable for outdoor use, constant exposure to water, and even marine applications
• Used when absolute water protection is essential

Ideal for camans that see regular play in wet, Highland weather.

🔹 Type II – Water-Resistant

• Can withstand occasional water exposure
• Suitable for most general outdoor woodworking
• Will break down if exposed to long-term moisture

Good for tools, garden furniture, or items stored under cover.

🔹 Type III – For Indoor Use Only

• Not water-resistant
• Meant for dry, interior conditions only
• Perfect for furniture, decorative items, or presentation pieces

Great for indoor display camans, but not suitable for match play.

Built to Last – From the Bench to the Pitch

At Tanera Camans, every caman is more than just a stick, it’s the result of years of hands-on experience, material testing, and a deep respect for tradition. From selecting the right wood to choosing the ideal adhesive for each position and playing condition, we leave nothing to chance.

We’ve rigorously tested our materials and refined our manufacturing techniques to ensure each caman delivers reliability, resilience, and performance. The special-formulated glues we use are chosen specifically to withstand the demands of outdoor play, Scottish weather, and the fast-paced nature of shinty itself.

And the proof? You’ll find Tanera Camans in action from Bute in the south to Caberfeidh in the north, from the Isle of Lewis in the west to Aberdeen in the east, trusted by players across Scotland.

Maybe, just maybe, one of them will play a part in lifting the Scottish Camanachd Cup this year.

The World’s Strongest Glue: 17.5 Tons Lifted with Just 3 Grams

When people think of glue, they usually imagine something from a bottle on a workshop shelf. But adhesives today are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and in 2019, German manufacturer DELO made history.

On July 12, 2019, DELO used just 3 grams of their DELO MONOPOX epoxy resin to lift a 17.5-ton truck, yes, you read that right.

Here’s what happened:

• A 3-axle truck with an unladen weight of 13 tons was increased to 17.5 tons using concrete slabs.
• A 220-ton truck-mounted crane extended its arm 40 metres into the air.
• The truck was suspended from a bonded metal cylinder, held together using only a tiny amount of DELO MONOPOX.

What Makes DELO MONOPOX So Strong?

This record-breaking adhesive isn’t your everyday epoxy. It’s a single-component, heat-cured resin that forms an extremely dense chemical network when cured. For the world record, DELO modified the formula with special fillers to increase its strength even further, allowing for this extraordinary feat of engineering.

Why This Matters

While this kind of adhesive isn’t something we use in everyday woodworking, it’s a powerful reminder of:

• The science behind gluing
• The incredible evolution of materials
• And just how important it is to choose the right glue for the job

At Tanera Camans, we don’t lift trucks with glue, but we do build sticks that hold up under serious stress, weather, and impact. Knowing what adhesives can do, and when to use them, is key to quality craftsmanship.

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