Wood Turning Christmas Ornament: Ball and Icicle (10)

I have explored four options for gluing up the ornaments.

1. thick CA
   • it works well but a very good fit is needed
   • there is some concern over its becoming brittle with age and the different types of wood causing the joints to break. This has not been a concern for me but it helps to be aware.
2. polyurethane glue
   • has a long set up and drying time
   • leaves a foamy residue that is hard to clean up
   • fills gaps well but the fill is weak
3. 2 part Epoxy; 5 minute set
   • needs to be mixed
   • good gap filling with high strength
   • quick set time means more than one batch if more than four or five ornaments need to be glued up
   • hard to clean up without damaging the finish on the ornament
   • long wait before final strength
4. hot glue
   • the gun is already hot
   • good gap filling with reasonable strength for this application
   • fast set up time
   • need to be sparing in amounts as it is hard to clean up without marring the finish

Lately I have been using the hot glue with great results.

If you are using a glue like polyurethane or epoxy with a long cure time, set it in a hole in a bench or jig with the weight resting on the top of the icicle, not the ball, so as to avoid glue creep while curing.

Once your glue is cured, your ornament is ready for the tree.