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Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: Bones on August 27, 2005, 09:07:43 am

Title: Attaching plastic to wood.
Post by: Bones on August 27, 2005, 09:07:43 am: I have a small USB hub I want to mount on a piece of wood. I am trying to work out a way to just stick it in place. I want to avoid the options of woodworking a piece of wood to suit the profile, I just want to stick it down. Being a plug there will be some strength required.

I have one flat surface on the hub to work with. I thought about hot glue but don't have a similar material to try as a test piece and I don't think I would be quick enough anyway.

Any idea's on what would work? Maybe a two-part epoxy or something?
Title: Re: Attaching plastic to wood.
Post by: markrvp on August 27, 2005, 09:16:51 am: Heavy duty Velcro - the kind they use to mount CB radios to a car dash.
Title: Re: Attaching plastic to wood.
Post by: GameOver on August 27, 2005, 09:41:13 am: Quote from: markrvp on August 27, 2005, 09:16:51 am
Heavy duty Velcro - the kind they use to mount CB radios to a car dash.

I second that. That's what I use to hold my volume/base pod to the back of my cab, also the switch to turn my marquee on/off. They jiggle loose occasionally, but I just press them down and they're good to go again.

What are you going to use 4 USB hubs for? 2 for light guns? Anything else?
Title: Re: Attaching plastic to wood.
Post by: pointdablame on August 27, 2005, 11:44:59 am: Velcro will work great, just don't get the fuzzy side/pointy side stuff... get the industrial velcro that has plastic channels in it... it won't move.

Or you could use Gorilla glue if you NEVER want to move it again.
Title: Re: Attaching plastic to wood.
Post by: grueinthebox on August 27, 2005, 11:53:51 am: Bend a little piece of metal into a bracket with some pliers and screw it down tight... Thing won't be going anywhere.
Title: Re: Attaching plastic to wood.
Post by: DrewKaree on August 27, 2005, 12:31:34 pm: throw down a glob of silicone. not positive on the two materials, but if it don't work, 2 seconds with a scraper and you're back to start.

Also, if you go the Gorilla glue route, make sure you clamp it down. The stuff expands as it cures, so your placement, which was perfect before you left it to cure, will be royally stuffed when you come back. PROMISE!

Also, why not try the "metal strap/bracket" on the back (smaller) side and a dab of hot glue on the front?
Title: Re: Attaching plastic to wood.
Post by: RoboG2 on August 27, 2005, 01:01:28 pm: Try "Thistithat". It's a website that gives you suggestions on what is best to use to glue two things of different materials together.

http://www.thistothat.com/
Title: Re: Attaching plastic to wood.
Post by: SOAPboy on August 27, 2005, 02:32:36 pm: Quote from: RoboG2 on August 27, 2005, 01:01:28 pm
Try "Thistithat".
Title: Re: Attaching plastic to wood.
Post by: versapak on August 27, 2005, 02:42:09 pm: When used on devices like that, I have never been much of a fan of velcro. It would certainly do the trick, but any time you plugged, or unplugged, there would be a little movement. I am probably a bit (no probably about it really) insane, but that would bug the heck out of me. :)

It looks like the outer casing is just snapped together, without the use of screws, so I personally would just pop the little sucker open and screw the bottom piece to the wood, then snap it back together.

Though if you are looking for a more permanant mount, then I'd go with the thistothat recommendation.
Title: Re: Attaching plastic to wood.
Post by: NoOne=NBA= on August 27, 2005, 10:43:14 pm: I used foam tape to hold mine in place.
It's been there for years, and never come loose on me.
Title: Re: Attaching plastic to wood.
Post by: Bones on August 28, 2005, 02:59:33 am: OK guys thanks for all the suggestions.

I thought I might try the silicone after Drew's suggestion and the fact I actually had some silicone on hand made it easy to experiment.

It worked great. I let it dry about 4 hours and there is no budging this bad boy!
Title: Re: Attaching plastic to wood.
Post by: DrewKaree on August 28, 2005, 09:24:23 am: w00t! I win....something, right? ???
Title: Re: Attaching plastic to wood.
Post by: missioncontrol on August 28, 2005, 11:01:51 am: Duct Tape...........

You can fix anything with Duct Tape

(http://www.oz-q.com/humour/duct%20tape.jpg)
Title: Re: Attaching plastic to wood.
Post by: Avery on August 29, 2005, 01:43:59 pm: I'd find a short piece of metal, drill two holes in it and put screws through it, into the block of wood so that it acts like a clamp. I'd also stick a piece of rubber between the metal and the hub so that you have something in there with a bit of give so that you can apply some pressure without crushing the thing.