Greetings –
I needed to turn some small fittings for the inside of some bird feeders I’m making and didn’t want to use wood. These things hold up the glass feed/seed containers so I thought I should make them out of something a bit more stable than wood. So picked up a scrap piece of this Trex decking material which is basically just sawdust and plastic pressed together to make decking material out of.
I found it turns quite well although with all the plastic in it, the shavings come off with a lot of static electricity which makes ’em cling to everything. But …. the question isn’t about that –
I needed thicker pieces than the 3/4″ stock stuff that I can usually get as scrap thus it’s a glue-up project as well. I used plastic resin glue for waterproofness, brought the pieces into the house to be warm during cure time. Then from a cut-off of the work piece I tested the bond to failure by driving a chisel between the pieces. While it took quite a bit of effort to get them apart, the glue failed before the material on either side of the joint did.
I suspect this is plenty strong for what I’m doing but thought I’d check to see if anyone has had experience gluing this stuff. Epoxy would be my choice ‘cept this plastic resin stuff is a lot easier to work with and seems to tolerate the cold weather better than epoxy.
Replies
Trex makes 2X6 3-1/2x 3-1/2" newel post and an 8" 4x6 product as well. Check out this link
http://www.trex.com/universal/product_info/sizes.asp
You may not be able to find scrap, but it is larger than 3/4" and no glue ups!
Tim
Edited 11/25/2005 8:08 pm ET by 1toolman
Hey Toolman! Thanks for the info. I wasn't aware that they made the 4x6 size. That will fit the bill perfectly I think.
Hey Dennis,
I've been told, But not done it , to pass an open flame over the pieces to be glued together first. The flame oxidizes the surface and let the glue get better hold .
DAVE
Did your source mention what type of glue he/she used? I used Weldwood plastic resin for my test piece which held adequately but not ultimately. That is, the glue joint failed rather than the material. My shop's a tad bit cold at this point to be trying epoxy without some localized heat source to kick it off. I'm thinking that that would be the glue of choice for this stuff.
However, for the size of pieces I'm trying to make, I got reminded that Trex comes in larger dimensions not just the 1x stuff and I think I can avoid the glue-up altogether if I can get my hands on a chunk of the bigger stuff.
Hey Dennis ,
At the time , I was using Gorilla Glue.He did not have any better sugestions.
DP -It's been some time since I used Gorrilla Glue - how temperature sensitive is it? I mean, my shop's really really cold right now. Everything needs to be clothed in electric blankets to get a decent bond.
Dennis,
On the bottle, working temp. 40*to130*. I've used Great Stuff foam spray insulation at or below 32* and it seemed to work just fine. so my guess is the glue would work just fine at low temp..
What kind of turning do you do? I just turned some legs for a small foot stool. Used a double center for the foot side,came out looking kinda like a Cabriole Leg.
DAVE
DP -I'm really not much more than a hobby turner at this point. I enjoy doing bowls and lidded boxes mostly. Most of my focus is on utilitarian objects - candle holders, fruit bowls and that sort of stuff. I'm also fascinated with metal spinning. I've made a few bird feeders with spun copper roofs and feed trays.
A glue which most cabinetmakers don't even consider is the lowly construction adhesive -- and from what you describe, it may be a good choice for you.
The best is PL Premium Construction Adhesive.
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"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
" ....the lowly construction adhesive."Beautiful! You just treated me to one of those none too rare moments where one says to one self, "Self - Why didn't you think of this!"Thanks, NikkiW!
PL Premium may be the best, but anything ca in a tube will become unuseable in a short time after it is cut open. For shop use, ####better alternative is Liquid Nails, which can also be purchased in a can (from Home Depot). Trowel out what you need, and the rest stays good in the can pretty much forever.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
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