Layered Signs

[chevybythesea]

What do you folks use to attach the layers of metal to each other? Double-sided tape is what first comes to mind....

Generally, I cut the art, and let my customers apply whatever coating they desire - I don't get into that side of things (35 years in the automotive paint industry, so glad for the change!) But - this is a gift, so trying to figure it out.

[acourtjester]

I have used both a double sided tape from eBay (cell phone type very thin) and Loctite super glue, these are for inside wall hanging.

[tnbndr]

E6000

[GDS Metal Worx]

2nd the E600. Good stuff, and remains slightly flexible where the super glues will allow your part to pop off if jarred

[little blue choo]

3M double sided tape. Mostly.

Rick

[jawslandshark]

3M VHB or I weld them.

[chevybythesea]

I ended up using an epoxy, to be sure it would hold up to the extreme outside temperatures we experience.

I REALLY appreciate all the advice! Thanks!

[bigcreek]

double sided tape as others have said if you want the pieces close together, or if you want them spaced I cut bolt holes in all the layers on the plasma table for say 1/4" sized bolts then weld the bolts to the inside of the outter layer with the bolt head centered and covering the hole. then fill in the outter layer hole with weld and flap disc it smooth. Then the bolt goes through the other layers but you put nuts on all the bolts at whatever distance you want it to stand away from the other layers. So there will be nuts on each side of each layer so it is at the distance you want it from the other layers.

[bigworm36]

For the people using epoxy I assumes both surfaces that are bonding are free of paint? and then just mask the pieces when painting. I have a base plate and have a complicated top piece I want to bond on top but it would be very time consuming to mask them to paint the base plate one color and the top piece on color. Just curious what other people have done. Thank you.

[abmetal]

The few times I used epoxy I used a Dremel with a grinding wheel to grind off the paint/powdercoat. A lot quicker than masking. But I use 3M automotive tape most of the time.

Allen

[Vex]

PL premium is what I usually use. Cheep readily available and it plain works.

There may be better options out there but I have yet to have a issue and it is thick enough to stay where you put it with minimal squish out the sides. What does squish if you happen to apply to thick is easily cleaned up with the tip of a utility knife when dry and will not ruin your piece.

When gluing very thin or fine pieces I use a gel locktite. Again it stays where you put it. Anything thin will squish or run out the sides and look bad.