Official Luthiers Forum!

What glue should I use for glueing UHMW to UHMW? Epoxy?

How about glueing UHMW to steel.....as in glueing all-thread inside a threaded hole in UHMW?

I'm building a jig for cutting binding/purfling channels. I can use screws without the glue but for a few joints, I would like to use screws and glue.

_________________
Formerly known as Adaboy.......

I have always considered UHMW as having an abhesive surface similar to Teflon or siliconized surfaces. The only way to join such surfaces would be to mechanically attach or thermally melt the surfaces together.

_________________
JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Check out number 9.

http://groups.google.com/group/uhmwtips/browse_thread/thread/aa7b768f377f89fa

_________________
Aoibeann

Elmers Screw-All and a Phillips-head driver works pretty well.

Bummer! It crossed my mind that nothing would stick to it.......but I hoped that wouldn't be the case.

Thanks everyone!

_________________
Formerly known as Adaboy.......

That's the best thing about UHMW, that nothing sticks to it!

_________________
______________________________
Jonathan Kendall, Siloam Springs AR

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebse ... 6E666666--

Sticks very well to polyethylene (tupperware). It ought to do very well on uhmw but it kind of depends what kind of load is applied and the surface area being glued.

Look also at silicone adhesives. I can't bring the one I know of to mind. I'll post it if I think of it...but it bonds smooth silicone together permanently. Might have the same result with uhmw.

_________________
I read Emerson on the can. A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds...true...but a consistent reading of Emerson has its uses nevertheless.

StuMusic

How about double sided tape?

_________________
http://www.chassonguitars.com

Everyone calls it UHMW when it's actually UHMWPe. Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene. Actually, the build up of CA on the nozzle of the bottle seems to stick quite well, but probably not well enough.

Polyethylene (UHMW) or any other olefin product cannot be glued other than a mechanical bond (a tooth to hold on to) heat fusion is the only way to develop the same strength as the parent material.

If it's a relatively large surface area then double-stick tape will hold it if you get the right stuff. I have a few kinds, but there's one kind that I think is for joining carpets that is so tenacious that I won't use it for clamping workpieces; it won't release, so once it's on you have to scrape it off with a metal scraper.

That said, I'd only ever use that method for attaching a UHMW sheet to something. Otherwise, mechanical fasteners are the way to go.

_________________
Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

For my latest circle cutter, I used UHMW. I drilled and tapped according to plans, but he screws just pull through the treads, becasue the plastic is soft. I remedied this by finding a combination of hole size and thread to fit very tight without tapping. The point is, watch for this, or maybe use acrylic instead.

As Todd says about unitary material and strength. Olefin products can only be glued with a mechanical or toothed bond, not solvent welded like PVC or ABS where the glue melts and bonds the material. A much weaker joint, but depending on what you're using it for, potentially OK.

I found that cell cast acrylic almost as good as Lexan for Wells Karol circle cutter jigs. Takes a thread quite well, machines well, doesn't shatter like standard acrylic, and is cheap on ebay. I have used UHMW, Lexan and the cell cast for the jigs, and the cell cast was the best over-all when price is factored in.

Bob

I am so lucky here...I have an industrial plastic supply about a mile out of my way. They have scrap bins that often have large cutoffs of most types of plastic and they ask for $4 per pound, I think. I have walked out with a lot of plastic for 10-20 dollars, some pieces respectable sized pieces and in good shape. They have delrin, uhmw, abs, pvc, teflon, all acrylics and lexan. They also have a lot of these materials in round stock, square stock and acrylic cylinders, but not all sizes at all times. Typically, I can find what I need without much trouble. If anyone is in Orange County, CA and wants the directions, just contact me.

_________________
Mark W. Lewis
--------------------------
I'm tired of followin' my dreams. I think I'll just ask 'em where they are going and hook-up with 'em later - Mitch Hedberg