Abstract: An adhesive testing device includes a movable carriage (2) carrying a substrate (4) to which adhesive is applied by an applicator wheel (32). The carriage is brought to rest opposite the anvil (46) carrying another substrate. The substrates are pressed together and the force required subsequently to separate them measured. In a preferred arrangement the anvil is carried by a beam (48) bearing a strain gauge (60). The carriage is preferably inverted during its movement to the applicator wheel: this allows it to have its operative surface uppermost initially for ease of application of the substrate. Various parameters (e.g. periods between operations, speed of the carriage, temperature of adhesive and/or anvil) may be varied to simulate conditions in a packing machine.