Abstract: A water based thixotropic adhesive gel is disclosed which comprises; an aqueous emulsion of polyvinyl acetate in an amount sufficient to form adhesive bonds on wood; partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol in an amount sufficient to provide wet tack of the adhesive; glyoxal in an amount sufficient to provide water resistance to the adhesive; and wood flour in an amount sufficient to increase the water resistance imparted by the glyoxal and to provide sanding and staining properties to the adhesive; and xanthan gum in an amount sufficient to provide a thixotropic index and viscosity allowing extrusion of the gel from a flexible dispenser having a dispensing opening of about 0.073 inches in diameter by applying finger-pressure to the dispenser while, upon extrusion, the gel forms a bead which does not run when applied in a horizontal line on wood in a vertical plane.