JB Weld or something similar?

[David9726]

I have a thin peace of metal that i need to attach a nut to in order to screw something to it i've been using JB weld to hold the nut but it does not always work is there a better way?

I don't have a welder.

 

[rustyjames]

There's another epoxy called PC7 that forms a good bond but it takes at least 24 hours, or more depending on temps to harden.

 

[Mike Folks]

Depends on bolt or screw size, a clip nut,nutsert,or a swaged pem nut might be your answer.

 

[Firebrick43]

Rivnuts and even better nut plates.

 

[MarkG]

TIG weld---maybe even just a quick fusion weld.

 

[Firebrick43]

TIG weld---maybe even just a quick fusion weld.

He doesn’t have a welder

 

[David9726]

heres a pic it does not have to be super strong just needs be somewhat flat.

 

[Jazz1]

There's another epoxy called PC7 that forms a good bond but it takes at least 24 hours, or more depending on temps to harden.

Is PC7 a better product than JB weld? Does slow cure make for stronger bond. I used to see plenty epoxy products in mining used for similar situations but not available in retail marketing

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Washer faced nuts

 

[matt_i]

Another option is to tap a large square or round flat steel, then the epoxy will have a lot more area to grip underneath and also a larger lever-arm to resist the torque.

My other thought was if you could use the other holes to restrain it. Even if a clearance hole thru the other one or two...use the epoxy to hold it in place, hand start all screws and then goto final torque. Not 100% sure of the application and this might not make sense for your need.

 

[Firebrick43]

Is PC7 a better product than JB weld? Does slow cure make for stronger bond. I used to see plenty epoxy products in mining used for similar situations but not available in retail marketing

If so it would be minimally stronger. Both are epoxies. Epoxies are the best glues but still glues. As leaflessshadetree and Matt I have alluded to with an adhesive based solution you need surface area to spread out the shear forces from the torque of the fastener or load. Both solutions do so. Even then age and environmental conditions can weaken the bond over time.

 

[tarmy]

JB well makes a specialized metal epoxy that is excellent. Used it for a couple projects that I thought regular JB weld might not hold...I am convinced this stuff is the best metal epoxy I have ever use...tried about a dozen of em too.

 

[rustyjames]

Is PC7 a better product than JB weld? Does slow cure make for stronger bond. I used to see plenty epoxy products in mining used for similar situations but not available in retail marketing

From what I understand is that the quick set epoxies strengths is weaker than the longer hardening types.

 

[nadogail]

If I understand the question the original poster only needs to hold the nut in place long enough to get a final torque on a fastener.

I will admit to having used contact cement to hold a nut in place long enough to get a bolt started and tightened.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I can't tell for sure what OP is trying to accomplish, but it looks like a nutsert would be a good option.

 

[David9726]

What about the JB Weld Putty Stick? It's only one part not needing to be mixed. I keep JB Weld on hand always but it seems to go bad even when unopened.

I am trying to mount a IR light in a gang box, basically i take a round blank plate drill holes into to match the IR light mounts.

Thanks for the ideas.

 

[jeffp1979]

Araldite

 

[liliysdad]

As for epoxies, I have found Devcon and MarineTex to be about the best of the commonly available options.

For what you are doing, almost anything will be fine. The putty sticks will work as well as anything else for this application. I don't think they bond as well as a more flowable version, but it will get the job done.

 

[jmarkwolf]

I'm surprised JB Weld isn't working.

You're not using 5-minute stuff are you? I've never had any luck with that stuff holding.

Try scuffing the part and using a Keps nut (integrated star lock washer) and standard JB Weld. I bet it will hold.

 

[PCustoms]

Anyone else wondering wtf the OP is doing glueing nuts to what appears to be a standard round coverplate?

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Anyone else wondering wtf the OP is doing glueing nuts to what appears to be a standard round coverplate?

I was also asking myself...... WTF is going on here with a nut on a cover plate?

Double isolated ground lug?..... Epoxy encapsulated ground lug?......

 

[David9726]

I was also asking myself...... WTF is going on here with a nut on a cover plate?

Double isolated ground lug?..... Epoxy encapsulated ground lug?......

Umm i explained already.

 

[David9726]

If I understand the question the original poster only needs to hold the nut in place long enough to get a final torque on a fastener.

I will admit to having used contact cement to hold a nut in place long enough to get a bolt started and tightened.

Hey it works only has to hold less than a pond.

 

[exmaxima1]

From what I understand is that the quick set epoxies strengths is weaker than the longer hardening types.

For epoxies it is somewhat a rule of thumb that the longer the set time, the stronger the joint. When I was building speakers (woofers) we settled on an epoxy that required an overnight cure. The faster curing versions did not reliably bond the aluminum cone to the aluminum voice coil.

If strength AND fast curing are required, methacrylate adhesives are better than epoxy. It has a strong odor though, and not suited for production lines with limited ventilation.

 

[txvwnut]

It looks like in the pic the mix ratio is off. JB Weld when dry should be a lighter gray than what it appears in the pic. OP are you using standard JB Weld or the JB quick? The JB quick is nothing like the standard JB Weld.

 

[PCustoms]

Umm i explained already.

Umm no you didn't.

You said you need the but to stay there long enough to torque. You never explained wtf you are doing.

From the limited info, I can only guess you are repurposing electrical coverplates into something else. There's likely a better solution, but since you don't want to tell anyone what you're doing, you won't get it.

Btw if this is being used in electrical you probably should not be modify ing UL listed products....

 

[rustyjames]

For epoxies it is somewhat a rule of thumb that the longer the set time, the stronger the joint. When I was building speakers (woofers) we settled on an epoxy that required an overnight cure. The faster curing versions did not reliably bond the aluminum cone to the aluminum voice coil.

If strength AND fast curing are required, methacrylate adhesives are better than epoxy. It has a strong odor though, and not suited for production lines with limited ventilation.

As I recall there was an epoxy failure on Boston's "Big Dig" where portions of some tunnel ceiling panels failed because of quick set epoxy.

 

[David9726]

Umm no you didn't.

You said you need the but to stay there long enough to torque. You never explained wtf you are doing.

From the limited info, I can only guess you are repurposing electrical coverplates into something else. There's likely a better solution, but since you don't want to tell anyone what you're doing, you won't get it.

Btw if this is being used in electrical you probably should not be modify ing UL listed products....

Umm yeah i did read back some. IR illuminator

The gang box is empty there is no power.

 

[David9726]

It looks like in the pic the mix ratio is off. JB Weld when dry should be a lighter gray than what it appears in the pic. OP are you using standard JB Weld or the JB quick? The JB quick is nothing like the standard JB Weld.

It is normal JB Weld but i think it was old.