Glue is one of those things you don’t appreciate until you run out and you need it. Luckily, it’s a lot easier to make good glue than you might think. Really easy, in fact!
It’s surprising to me how few people know how to do it these days. The recipe I’m about to share with you below uses nothing but flour and water, and a little bit of elbow grease. With just a few minutes’ work you’ll have your own homemade glue that is a great substitute for PVA and works quite well on paper, foil, thin plastic, and even leather.
Roll up your sleeves and we will get right into it.
Supplies
Water: Just tap water works fine, but you can get slightly higher-quality glue if you use distilled or spring water; those have fewer chemical additives. You’ll need equal parts water and flour. For small jobs, a quarter cup to a half cup is plenty.
Flour, all-purpose: Again, you’ll need equal parts flour and water.
Mixing bowl: Stainless steel or glass is best here. Choose one that is big enough to handle the batch you want to make.
Whisk: For stirring together the glue mixture.
Silicone spatula (optional): For scraping down the sides of the bowl. Not strictly necessary, but it can help you get a smooth, even mixture, which will produce superior glue.
Saucepan: For heating the mix. Any kind you want to use is fine, but I would recommend using an old, battered one that has been relegated to wax melting or hobby use. This mixture is non-toxic, but it does make a heck of a mess, so you might want to spare your good cookware for this job.
That is everything you need. Gather all of your supplies and tools and we are ready to begin.
Instructions
Step 1: Mix flour and water. Dump the flour into a bowl and then pour the water on top of it, adding it slowly. Stir the mixture slowly to help it incorporate and reduce clumping.
Step 2: Mix thoroughly with whisk. Break up clumps as best you can and then thoroughly mix the flour and water together until you produce something that looks like thick pancake batter that is smooth and even. If you have a spatula, use it to scrape down the sides of the bowl and eliminate any dry spots.
Step 3: Heat mixture gently on stovetop. Transfer the mixture to a saucepan, set it on the stovetop, and turn the heat to low. Stir constantly until the mixture begins to thicken. It will cling to your spatula and whisk and resist dripping once it is ready.
Step 4: Allow glue to cool; thin if needed. Turn off the heat on the stove and remove the saucepan. Set it aside on a cold burner or on a trivet to cool down to room temperature. Check the consistency by stirring it; it should still be smooth and spreadable, almost like thick frosting now. If it’s too thick or chunky, add just a splash of warm water and stir to thin it out.
Step 5: Apply glue with brush or spreader. You may use your glue using a brush, spreader, popsicle stick, or any other tool. Clean up brushes immediately with dish soap and water after you are done.
Step 6: Refrigerate unused portion to prevent curing. If you have leftover glue that you’d like to preserve, you can put it in a jar or other container and stick it in the refrigerator to dramatically slow down the curing process. It will keep for three weeks, maybe four, before it becomes useless. Just be sure to let it warm up to room temp prior to use!
Aaand… you’re all set. You’ve made your own batch of simple but strong glue that is perfect for a variety of projects and easy repairs.
How Long Does it Take This Glue to Cure?
A couple of hours at room temperature. Apply to one or both workpieces, then clamp (if needed) and set aside.
Discard if You Notice Mold Spots in Glue
This glue is made with purely organic substances, so mold is a potential concern. If you should notice any black, blue or other discolored spots show up a few days after you make the batch, discard it and make a fresh one.
Tom Marlowe practically grew up with a gun in his hand, and has held all kinds of jobs in the gun industry: range safety, sales, instruction and consulting, Tom has the experience to help civilian shooters figure out what will work best for them.