wood glue?

[Megan]

Do you always use wood glue?  I built my first project, a workbench (profile pic) and I did not use it.  Now I'm wondering if I should have?  The bench certainly seemed stable.  

I'm getting ready to make a giant dining room table, and I do plan on using it there - just wondering if I messed up on my bench?  :(

[Ken Kortch]

I use glue where ever I can. Just makes it a lot stronger and its simple enough.

[Ken Darga]

Use glue on anything you don't plan on taking apart.

Glue is what holds everything rigid, screws and nails will loosen in time.

 

[Megan]

So should I take that apart and glue it?  That doesn't sound great.  Maybe over time if loosens I could pull the screws out and drive them back in with a dab of glue at that point?  

[Ken Darga]

Megan,

I'm sure there are many who have made work-benches with screws/bolts, and they haven't fallen over---

as of yet.

Screws loosen, when the bench is subjected to abuse, such as pounding and racking.

Bolt-thru construction will result in stronger joints.

Save yourself the hassle and potential problems in the future.

I'd take it apart and add the glue.

I build work-benches for HEAVY DUTY use, as well as for light and med-duty use.

The end intended use dictates the construction methods.

One of my XHD benches features "bolted" construction---it needs to be disassembled to move it.

 

[Gary roofner]

The 2x joints are stronger you need on the 1x stock more. Less needed on 2x stock.

[Ken Darga]

Joint strength is dependent on joint construction.

Gary roofner said:

The 2x joints are stronger you need on the 1x stock more. Less needed on 2x stock.

[michael evans]

Glue it never renew it.

[Ken Darga]

Megan,

Peruse the various wood glues available, from your local supplier,

and select the most suitable material for your needs.

Titebond offers a variety.

I'd select Titebond III, for most applications.

You can loosen the joints, inject the glue into the opened joint,

reclamp or tighten the screws, and you should be good to go.

The top panels, your work surfaces, can be fastened, without using glue,

so they can be removed and replaced, when the need arises.