groover

Gaaahh... I'm making some coasters which are coated with polyeurathane. I then glued some cork disks onto the bottom using Titebond II. The cork came in a roll, and I flattened out each disk the best I could before gluing.

This morning I see that all my coasters are warped! It seems the cork relaxed back partially and warped the wood. I didn't put pressure on the coasters or clamp them overnight because if I did the glue would ooze through the cork and glue it to whatever was below.

I have some questions:

- is there a way to remove Titebond II (and the cork) and start again without damaging the coasters?

- I still have some more coasters to make for Christmas - any hints or tips on how I can make the cork relax completely flat?

- are there any hints or tips on how to compress or clamp cork without having the glue ooze through and stick to the surface below the cork?

thanks, Andy

BHOFM

I always use contact cement on cork.

I don't know about removing what you have, just
scrape it off I would think?

Picture would help!

__________________
Check out my clocks!

http://woodwonderboatworks.yolasite.com/

groover

I used Titebond II based on the recommendation on I think a scrollsaw forum.

I've managed to remove the cork and glue from one coaster but it's still warped. Any ideas on if it can be recovered? :(

Andy

GeorgeC

" This morning I see that all my coasters are warped! It seems the cork relaxed back partially and warped the wood."

I do not understand. If the wood is warped what good is it going to do to remove the cork and glue? You will still have warped wood.

George

groover

Let's call it "desperately hoping for an idea" because these are Christmas gifts and I don't have time to remake them. :(

Andy

rocklobster

Well, I don't know how to fix the ones that are alreadly warped, but to keep the others that you're going to make from warping you might go ahead and clamp them down with a non-stick surface underneath (wax paper or steel or something else that Titebond II won't bond with?)

The glue may still bleed through but at least you can pull it off of whatever you clamped it to.

Cutting boards can be made pretty quickly if the coasters don't work out.

Rob

firehawkmph

Groover,
I agree with Andy on the contact cement. If you have any straight wood left I would get a small can and try it.
Mike Hawkins

tator234

3M makes a spray that could help u out tator234

AZ Termite

How did the cork cause the wood to warp? That is what I don't understand.

firehawkmph

To go along with Termite's question, how thick was the wood you were using for the base of the coasters? Any pics you could post?
Mike Hawkins

groover

Thanks for the suggestions on how to avoid this happening again. Much appreciated.

I don't have any pictures, and if I did it probably would be hard to see the warp. It's enough to make the coasters rock when on a level surface and enough for the holders to no longer accept the coasters. But here's the deal...

I cut some coasters out of 1/4" thick poplar. I carefully chose the wood so it was flat. I cut it and then coated each coaster completely (front, back, edge) in four coats of Varathane. I then left the coasters (about 20 of them) in a pile for two weeks.
When it came time to glue on the cork disks the coasters were still flat. I checked. I cut cork disks from a roll. It's about 1/16" thick. I tried flattening the cork but it still curled up. I figured the glue would hold it flat. Glued them on with Titebond II and left them upside down overnight.
In the morning all the coasters were warped, and warped in a way that mimicked the original curl of the cork.

I removed the cork and glue from one coaster and I don't see any evidence that the glue made it through the Varathane. I can clean it all off leaving a shiny surface.

One other thing is that the coasters were made and coated in one room and then the cork was glued in another. The first room is generally cooler than the second.

It seems very strange to me that the cork could twist the wood, but if there are any other theories I would love to hear them as I am about to assemble the last eight coasters. Thanks!

Andy

AZ Termite

If the coasters warped to the shape of the cork roll, you may want to clamp the cork flat and leave it for a while so it will get rid of the memory it has from being on a roll.