RockySpears Posted January 31, 2022 Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 I am trying to stick thin (0.1mm sheet) strips of copper to mdf. I am using it to edge some splash back in the kitchen that has copper as a theme; lights, sockets, taps etc etc. Some of the strips are vertical so I can't weight them down and the Gorilla glue I have tried cannot hold the copper's desire to curl. I have smoothed the strips as best I can, but cannot get perfectly flat pieces. Is there something I can get that has a better initial "grab", I need a little wriggle room when placing the strips in place to try and get the edges matching up, but after 20-30 seconds it can set. Any glue experts here? (not the sniffing kind) Thank you, RS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted January 31, 2022 Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 (edited) 2 minutes ago, RockySpears said: I am trying to stick thin (0.1mm sheet) strips of copper to mdf. I am using it to edge some splash back in the kitchen that has copper as a theme; lights, sockets, taps etc etc. Some of the strips are vertical so I can't weight them down and the Gorilla glue I have tried cannot hold the copper's desire to curl. I have smoothed the strips as best I can, but cannot get perfectly flat pieces. Is there something I can get that has a better initial "grab", I need a little wriggle room when placing the strips in place to try and get the edges matching up, but after 20-30 seconds it can set. Any glue experts here? (not the sniffing kind) Thank you, RS Evostik Impact glue is very strong. Coat both pieces and leave to dry to the touch. I don't think you'll get 20-30 seconds though, once the two have been joined. Edited January 31, 2022 by steve_b_wales Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted January 31, 2022 Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 Or buy a sheet of copper cut to size! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockySpears Posted January 31, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 13 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: Or buy a sheet of copper cut to size! Sadly no two pieces are the same shape/size. And I still have the sticking problem, RS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted January 31, 2022 Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 12 minutes ago, RockySpears said: Sadly no two pieces are the same shape/size. And I still have the sticking problem, RS Fair enough I did mine with Stainless steel and Bostik sticks like ****. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockySpears Posted January 31, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 5 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: Bostik sticks like ****. I have heard about that Sticks Like **** so it might be a solution. Bet your steel stayed flat though, RS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted January 31, 2022 Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 17 minutes ago, RockySpears said: I have heard about that Sticks Like **** so it might be a solution. Bet your steel stayed flat though, RS It did, it was cut from a sheet to my dimensions and made the job much easier. The adhesive is great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricko Posted January 31, 2022 Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 Have a read up about Tiger Seal, it's used a lot in the automotive trade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTaylor91 Posted January 31, 2022 Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 Super glue and a spray activator? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockySpears Posted January 31, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 11 minutes ago, JTaylor91 said: Super glue and a spray activator? Would that set all the way under the strip? Does it work its way into the glue? RS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonka54 Posted January 31, 2022 Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 (edited) +1 for impact adhesive , as said, coat both surfaces and set them down until they are dry or almost dry to the touch, place the two surfaces together and they instantly bond together. This is both good news and bad, the bad is there is absolutely no working time so be sure before you place the surfaces together. Edited January 31, 2022 by Tonka54 TYPO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaymo Posted January 31, 2022 Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 Bostik Laybond for vinyl should do it. Use a notched tiling trowel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTaylor91 Posted January 31, 2022 Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 42 minutes ago, RockySpears said: Would that set all the way under the strip? Does it work its way into the glue? RS You’d spray one of your sides with activator and the other with the glue then when you push together it sets pretty quick, not sure you’d get enough adjusting time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaymo Posted January 31, 2022 Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 5 hours ago, JTaylor91 said: You’d spray one of your sides with activator and the other with the glue then when you push together it sets pretty quick, not sure you’d get enough adjusting time. Also the amount required for the area would seem prohibitive? I go through loads of mitre bond with spray or stick activator but I’m not sure on its use for this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted February 1, 2022 Report Share Posted February 1, 2022 The only thing available is contact adhesive but it stands a chance it’ll still curl off. In the past we’ve struggled with metal/laminates . if you use a traditional contact adhesive you can put it all ( loads) on one side . Slip it together and pull it apart for 10 minutes before you push them together for the final bond . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted February 1, 2022 Report Share Posted February 1, 2022 I would look at either a frame to secure the sheet or even some nice stainless screws neatly placed around the edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTaylor91 Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 On 31/01/2022 at 23:58, Jaymo said: Also the amount required for the area would seem prohibitive? I go through loads of mitre bond with spray or stick activator but I’m not sure on its use for this? It could hold it in place while another glue sets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 If your problem is the copper curling due to its hard temper you could heat it to cherry red to anneal it. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockySpears Posted February 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 3 hours ago, Blackpowder said: If your problem is the copper curling due to its hard temper you could heat it to cherry red to anneal it. The foil is curled because it comes tightly wound up for shipping. I have reverse curled it but it still will not lay flat. I have used a heat gun on it, but if I use a torch on it I am likely to end up with oxidisation marks on the sheet face. I have gotten a selection of glues now so will try some tests to see which works best. Will attempt some pictures when done, Thanks, RS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamekeeper1960 Posted February 3, 2022 Report Share Posted February 3, 2022 Might a laminating roller or leather edge roller be of use to get it to lay flat as you go? They an be bought for a few pounds and a perfectly flat so may help.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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