Asked on Jul 19, 2013

Am I able to glue wood to particle board to give it strength?

Debra Walters
by Debra Walters
Hi! I bought a used set of chest of drawers for my sons college apartment. Unfortunately the thing was particle board and it got wet when it was stored at his fathers house. It dried and swelled before he realized it had gotten wet. I sanded it down both inside and out to make it even with the part that didn’t get wet. Now the bottom is limber in places because of the water and sanding. I was wondering if I could take a wood trim piece (there is a wood trim piece on front already which contacts the floor) and glue that trim piece horizontally along the side of the bottom of chest and then glue a piece of wood to the inside of the piece and clamp them together with the particle board sandwiched between to give the base strength? If I can do that what would be the glue I would need for the project? I really want it to work. I had already bought paint and pulls for the chest. I have painted it and put the pulls on and it looks good. I am concerned about how that bottom will hold up though. Can you help!
  12 answers
  • Marilyn Highley Marilyn Highley on Jul 19, 2013
    Hi, Debra. In regards to "the bottom is limber" - is that bottom piece suspended? Could you glue another layer (1/4" plywood maybe) to it, and then add the trim pieces like you described? I think that would give it more strength. I don't know what tools you have available or how much more money you want to spend on saving this piece. The type of glue you need is a good "wood glue", assuming the surfaces that it will touch are mostly wood. A few wood screws that aren't too long would also help, especially to attach the reinforcement pieces like you described.
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Jul 19, 2013
    This is one reason I like to build with real hardwoods...they will last for generations. You can "band-aid" some more wood (either simple pine or some strips of ply) onto the weak areas. glue and some screws will help too. I use titebond III for all of my wood working projects (green cap).
  • Debra Walters Debra Walters on Jul 19, 2013
    Marilyn, the limber particle board directly contacts the floor if this is what you mean by suspended. Thanks, debra
  • Debra Walters Debra Walters on Jul 19, 2013
    Thanks KMS that is what I want to do is just bandaid it to get by. I only buy real wood (which is hard to find these days)for my home. I have handed down furniture that is a hundred years old old and I want to hand my things down to my kids. This was a temporary piece for college apt. We are trying to spend little on furnishings. Thank you so much.
  • Marilyn Highley Marilyn Highley on Jul 19, 2013
    OK, Debra. What I had in mind won't work. Sorry.
  • Debra Walters Debra Walters on Jul 19, 2013
    Thank you so much for your help guys.
  • Tegma Tegma on Jul 21, 2013
    I think you can add a band around the bottom with no problem... Use wood glue and perhaps a few finishing nails. However, if you need anything else, visit Goodwill or other thrift stores. Better to have used than particle board. Besides, you can always paint a good used piece to your son's satisfaction..... black, or blue, whatever he likes. Even industrial storage pcs. from Lowes would be great. Check in the garage storage section.....
  • Phil Miller Phil Miller on Jul 22, 2013
    I agree with KMS. Use Titebond 3 glue and band the bottom with what ever wood you choose. Also screw the pieces on and cover the screws with crown molding for embellishment around the base. You can glue it on to cover up your screws.
  • Debra Walters Debra Walters on Jul 22, 2013
    Well guys, I put that "bandaid" on the chest of drawers and it looks pretty good. I used the Titebond 3 and the wood screws and it looks fine. Actually it looked fine before but I didn't want a chunk to be torn out in the move. If I can figure out how I will post a picture of it. Thank everyone so much for your help and ideas.
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Jul 22, 2013
    nice to hear success stories.
  • Phil Miller Phil Miller on Jul 22, 2013
    Great!
  • Lor24967451 Lor24967451 on Jun 09, 2017

    I have a secretary, made from particle board, a small portion fell off, how van I reattach it?