# what's the best way to attach metal to metal? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 25, 2008, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-attach-metal-to-metal/454147 "2008-06-25T01:50:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SweetHomeColorado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d26b3c/32.png) [@SweetHomeColorado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SweetHomeColorado)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-attach-metal-to-metal/454147/1 "2008-06-25T01:50:24Z")
superglue isn’t working so well. it’s difficult to explain what i’m trying to attach but it needs to be secure and tightly adhered. What should I use to ‘glue’ two pieces of metal (both small) together? ---
**Author:** ![Full\_Metal\_Lotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Full\_Metal\_Lotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Full_Metal_Lotus)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-attach-metal-to-metal/454147/2 "2008-06-25T01:57:56Z")
We need more information. What kinds of metal(s)? Does the bond have to be invisible? What kind of stress will the metal be experiencing? Will it be used in a way that any joing methods could possibly contaminate food, or be in long term contact with human skin/tissue? Epoxy, soldering, welding, and wire wrapping all spring to mind, but tell us more about your project if you want some presice assistance, please Regards FML ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-attach-metal-to-metal/454147/3 "2008-06-25T01:58:34Z")
More metal. Depending on the materials to be joined and the strength needed for the joint, the best “adhesive” is soldering, brazing or welding. Next best choice is likely a two-part epoxy, like JB Weld. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-attach-metal-to-metal/454147/4 "2008-06-25T02:03:13Z")
Metal to metal? That’s why God invented welding! (He/she was going easy on the human fools when the technology got passed on from the divine.) ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-attach-metal-to-metal/454147/5 "2008-06-25T02:17:42Z")
Short of welding, drill some holes and bolt them together. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-attach-metal-to-metal/454147/6 "2008-06-25T03:16:09Z")
[QUOTE=Full Metal Lotus] We need more information. [/QUOTE] I am not a number… I am a FREE MAN! Stop laughing. And get yourself some JB Weld – a hobbiest’s friend. ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-attach-metal-to-metal/454147/7 "2008-06-25T11:08:18Z")
IME, the only thing superglue adheres to “tightly and securely” is eyelids. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-attach-metal-to-metal/454147/8 "2008-06-25T11:27:40Z")
[QUOTE=Toxylon] IME, the only thing superglue adheres to “tightly and securely” is eyelids. [/QUOTE] [Almost, but not quite.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=464511) ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-attach-metal-to-metal/454147/9 "2008-06-25T12:06:52Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] More metal. Depending on the materials to be joined and the strength needed for the joint, the best “adhesive” is soldering, brazing or welding. Next best choice is likely a two-part epoxy, like JB Weld. [/QUOTE] I was at a sheet metal welding conference earlier this year, and one of the presentations mentioned commercially-available JB Weld. Surprisingly, its shear strength was near the top of all of the joining methods (spot welding, structural adhesives, rivets, etc). Of course its mode of application gives it an advantage, and shear strength isn’t the only metric on which to judge a sheetmetal joint, but it was certainly surprising information, especially in the context of the conference. To the OP, assuming you don’t have a neighbor with the MIG welder, you may be okay just soldering the two, small pieces. Look in the plumbing aisle of your local big box. You’d probably be all set for $10 to $12. If any schools still have industrial arts programs, they may be willing to tackle it for free or a slight charge. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-attach-metal-to-metal/454147/10 "2008-06-25T12:10:42Z")
dupe ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-attach-metal-to-metal/454147/11 "2008-06-25T14:34:20Z")
JB Weld. First item on page. I’ve used it on metal-to-metal many times. > **[CWDBET: SITUS GAME SLOT TERLENGKAP DAN SUPER GACOR DI ASIA](https://seocwdbet.com/)** > > CWDBET merupakan situs penyedia game online terpercaya dengan berbagai permainan terlengkap. Daftar di situs gacor gampang menang dan jackpot maxwin hari ini. ---
**Author:** ![SweetHomeColorado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d26b3c/32.png) [@SweetHomeColorado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SweetHomeColorado)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-attach-metal-to-metal/454147/12 "2008-06-25T20:38:06Z")
JB Weld FTW! ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2008, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-attach-metal-to-metal/454147/13 "2008-06-27T15:05:53Z")
The stuff rocks. Glad it worked! ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-attach-metal-to-metal/454147/14 "2008-06-27T21:19:40Z")
[QUOTE=Philster] The stuff rocks. Glad it worked! [/QUOTE] JB Weld, a Dremel, maybe some duct tape … you can do anything. ---
**Author:** ![KBrissette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/59ef9b/32.png) [@KBrissette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KBrissette)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2014, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-attach-metal-to-metal/454147/15 "2014-09-06T21:23:42Z")
I love you ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2014, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-attach-metal-to-metal/454147/16 "2014-09-06T21:49:54Z")
**Moderator Action** Welcome to the SDMB, **KBrissette**. While there may be some in this six-year-old thread who appreciate your affections, we generally prefer that you add something with a bit more substance and relevance when resurrecting old posts. Thread closed.