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What's the best epoxy?

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7/26/2000 9:18 PM

What's the best epoxy?

I've been using these small threaded steel inserts that I press into holes drilled into the folded edge of aluminun chassis for mounting chassis to cabinet. They have a knurled end, and bite in pretty well. But I just had one break loose on one of my personal DIY amps. I put a new one in, and carefully put some epoxy around the knurled end before I pressed it back into the chassis. It broke loose again. I'm afraid I may have jazzed the original hole now. Anyone know of a really really strong epoxy/resin type glue that will help hold this thing in place?

7/28/2000 1:58 AM
Don Symes	Bonding metal to metal is pretty tough. The knurl on the insert helps, but I think you're gonna need to drill some little holes in the neighborhood and use a bit of cloth, tape or fiberglass on both sides to really get it to hold. If you know some RC modeler types, they may have some advice.

7/28/2000 11:01 AM

quote:
"Bonding metal to metal is pretty tough."

As far as I can work out it's all about cleanliness. You need a clinically clean surface to get a good bond. Acetone followed by Iso-propyl alchohol works pretty well for this.

Araldite (not araldite rapid, the ordinary stuff) is actually a pretty good epoxy. If you want something a bit more special there's the Epo-Tek range, but it's kind of specialist, and so very expensive.

7/28/2000 11:54 AM
MKB	The best epoxy I have used that is readily available is Devcon Two Ton. Takes a while to dry, about 24 hrs, but is really strong. I haven't tried to thread a screw in it though.

7/28/2000 1:01 PM
Liam	I'd forgotten about the devcon range. They do a metal filled epoxy (Devcon 90?) which is particuarly useful for metalwork repairs. Highly recommended

7/28/2000 11:53 PM
Patrick	Thanks to all. I'll check out the Devcon products.

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