Anyone have a recommendation for what type of adhesive to use when gluing white metal castings to wood? I have some detail parts I want to put on my ore bin, and would like to make sure they will stay on even with exposure to weather.
I thought of using urethane glue, but I’m concerned about the way it expands as it cures. I don’t want it to shift the parts out of position, or make a dribbled mess.
I’ll usually use 2-part epoxy for gluing metal bits to wood, though I’ve also been known to use Titebond II, especially if the metal has reinforcement pins that go into the wood. If the metal surface is large enough, you can use CA to hold it in place while the epoxy dries. Otherwise, you can either rely on the surface tension to hold things in place (usually adequate) or clamp it somehow. Depending on the environment and how often the model is going to be handled, you may be able to get away with just using CA. A structure on an indoor railroad would have no issues with CA, as it isn’t handled much, if at all, and isn’t subject to massive variations in temperature. CA on an outdoor structure will not hold up.
Later,
K
I use E-6000. It glues wood to styrene, or plexiglass, metal to wood, just about anything. You can get it a Michael’s, Ace, etc. It is a little thick, and therefore stringy and hard to apply. I use a toothpick or piece of stiff wire. And it takes a long time to dry. But it’s the best stuff I have found to glue wood to plastic. Once it has cured you cannot remove the wood without breaking it. Perfect for wooden decks on flatcars, etc. Try a tiny dab on your metal part on a test piece. Remember it isn’t instant adhering like CA or plastic weld. jb
I have found that CA can be used to make a very strong fixing . A scratch with a sharp knife on the back of your fitting , giving an undercut ,followed by a hole poked in the body gives a key for the CA to get into , and it works very well , Mind you , I don’t find CA much of a problem on its own , especially if paint is applied afterwards–or varnish . Gap filling CA is the best for use on wood , that is what I used on all my Hartford kits , and they do not leave a trail of droppings .
Not living in the USA , I haven’t seen John’s recommended stuff , but no doubt it is equally as good as CA , or better , John is the best to advise on that .
But I have to say that with teensy components , CA is pretty well unbeatable .
Mike