My trusty PVA glue gets dirty looks from the old-school crowd

At our monthly bindery group, some members shake their heads when I reach for my PVA. I find it works just fine for quick jobs and saves a lot of fuss. Are we really stuck on tradition, or can new stuff be good too?

4 comments

4 Comments

jenniferhill1mo ago

Honestly, what exactly are they saying it can't do? I get that some older methods have their place, but if it holds strong for your quick projects, that's what matters! Is it that they think it won't last, or is it just about the way things have always been done? I'd love to hear one concrete example of a job where they swear PVA would totally fail. Sometimes tradition is just an excuse to hate on new stuff without a real reason.

sarahkelly1mo ago

Ugh, tell me about it. My buddy had this same fight at his woodworking club. He fixed a vintage box with PVA and the old guys acted like it would crumble in a week. Five years later, the thing's fine and he still shoves that fact in their faces.

drew_patel1mo ago

Five years and still holding strong?

stella221mo ago

Jenniferhill, you hit the nail on the head asking for a concrete example. Drew_patel, I want to hear that too. What is the one specific repair or project those guys say would absolutely fall apart with PVA? Not just vague talk about lasting, but a real task. My bet is they'll say something about outdoor use or constant stress, but I want to hear them say it out loud.