Gluing Tufnol

[stuartpaul]

Read many threads about the use of tufnol for router table tops and with a rebuild on the cards thought I'd progress this. I'm going to use 2mm thick tufnol.

My only question is about gluing down (to two 18mm MDF sheets 'laminated' together). Some talk of problems but can't find any definitive advice.

Anyone have direct experience who can recommend a suitable adhesive?

 

[Ateallthepies]

I have no direct experience with Tufnol and MDF gluing so in the absence of better advice you could try the advice from the direct plastics site... http://www.directplasticsonline.co.uk/adhesives.html ...and contact Anixter Adhesives?

I have glued various low friction plastics to each other and to various metals and normally use an acid etch primer and good quality Cyanoacrylate glue. But gluing to MDF??

If you have no luck just try gluing scraps together with any and all glues you can think of with or without using the acid primer on the Tufnol and see what one sticks best?

Don't discount double side sticky tape as this sometimes sticks well to difficult plastics.

Steve.

 

[ondablade]

There's a likelihood that epoxy would do it as it's pretty compatible with phenolics and I've used it to assemble small model parts made from the stuff, but I've never properly investigated just how good a job it might do.

The guys that make Tufnol are in the UK and would Google up I imagine, maybe give their tech support a call. Some things to watch out for - (a) there's a lot of different types which might not be exactly the same, (b) some types have a rather glossy surface that would need roughening and (c) cleaning with solvent would probably be wise too in case there were residues of anything on the surface.

 

[Benchwayze]

I had the same query, and I contacted Tufnol.


Epoxy is the way to go.

HTH
John

 

[stuartpaul]

I had the same query, and I contacted Tufnol.

Epoxy is the way to go.

HTH
John

Thanks John, - just what I needed to know.

Just out of interest what did you use? I don't what to have to buy loads for what is going to be a relatively small area (about 4' x 2' max).

Do you know if it routs easily? I'll probably need to trim the edges and I've read that it can be a bit of a pig on cutters. I'd have thought 2mm wouldn't be too bad to do?

Stuart

 

[Lons]

Epoxy is the way to go. HTH John

+1

I think that's what the router manufacturers use to stick the thin phenolic plates to the base of the machines. The one on my Elu Mof 96e came loose a couple of years ago and I removed, cleaned and stuck it back with araldite - hasn't moved so far.

Bob

 

[Benchwayze]

Tufnol is a fantastic and adaptable material, but it machines slowly. It will 'beggar' your cutters, and it stinks. Wear a mask as the dust is horrendous. (Tufnol is nothing more than layers of linen, stuck and rolled out with hide glue and then baked. ) I went to school near the Tufnol works. (Now defunct) The whole of Perry Barr district stank like a fish market when they had 'baking day'!

I haven't gotten around to my drill table. (Hospitals and such!) My tufnol is 10mm thickness, so I decided I would just drill and attach with countersunk, brass screws, piloted with steel screws first. It should look 'tiddly'. But yes epoxy will be the ticket. As for quantities, I couldn't say really. I doubt the usual tube would be enough for you though!

Regards
John

 

[Benchwayze]

I had the same problem with a 177E Lons. Same solution, same outcome! I just used more than Elu did.

John

 

[Lons]

I had the same problem with a 177E Lons. Same solution, same outcome! I just used more than Elu did.

John

Hi John

Can't really blame the manufacturers in my case as the router is well used and more than 20 years old (still going strong).
I had a 177e as well but sold it a long time ago as didn't use it much then. Worst thing I ever did as the dewalt I eventually bought as replacement, isn't a patch on the Elu.

Bob

 

[Benchwayze]

Yes Bob,
I sold an Elu 177E too. Like you I wish I hadn't.
I get by with one now, but it was for the Leigh jig that I got the two!

Now I am going back to a bit more handwork, so I can sit down sometimes while I work!
Cheers and Elu for ever!
John