How glue metal to wood?

[Judith2]

Hi- I’m attaching a wooden base to a vintage metal table lamp.
I’ve inserted a screw thru the wooden base and into the central column of the lamp, but it’s still a bit wobbly, so I think I need to glue the central column to the base for stability.

what is the best glue to use? Or, any alternative ideas?

Thank you in advance!

Judith

 

 

 

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @Judith2 

I would use araldite super strength  found at bunnings  it is about as strong as glues can come and will remove the wobble for sure.

I have used it to glue metal  car starter motor soleniod casing back together once and it worked just plain arildite.

It looks like the metal bowl supported on  several points as a bonus so unless that stand  takes a  big fall you should have a winner.

Looks like  some hot glue? there already you would be best to take that off to give the aradite a nice clean surface to bond to.

Hope this helps.

[JacobZ]

Hi @Judith2,

As @Jewelleryrescue has mentioned, Araldite is a great option for gluing metal to timber. It will give a nice strong hold that should stop some of the wobble.

Ultimately, the best way to stop wobbling is to create tension, which can be done with a screw or bolt like you have done.

Can I ask if there's a thread where you've inserted the bolt?

Or is it simply going up into the metal acting more as a rod than a bolt?

If so, a better option might be to attach a nut to the inside of the metal cavity with Araldite and then screw the bolt into the nut to create that tension.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[Judith2]

Thank you Jewelry Rescue and Jacob-

both suggestions are very helpful- good old fashioned arose to the rescue (once I’ve removed the current messy glue! 

Jacob, you’re right that the rod doesn’t have a thread inside- and I can see your suggestion to put a nut inside would be very helpful. 
cheers,

Judith 

[JacobZ]

Hi @Judith2,

Let me know how you go, I'm happy to help further if you require it along the way.

Jacob

[Judith2]

Hi Jacob-

The bolt coming from the base and into the rod is relatively short, as I don’t want it near the internal wiring of the lamp. 

unfortunately the diameter of the bolt is nearly, but not quite the diameter of the inside of the rod, so the whole thing wobbles! I tried the glue, and then I tried using double sided mounting tape to try to pad the thread and fill the gap, but that didn’t work either. I fear I’m up against various laws of physics here, but would welcome any additional suggestions you might have!

thank you!

judith

[Judith2]

… should have added- couldn’t find a bolt with thin enough external surface that could fit over the bolt and then into the rod… 

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @Judith2 

A question from your  original photos

Is that copper colored stem hollow with a power  cord through it?   The top  photo shows inside the  hub cap as sealled.

So not so  where power is running.

But i have afurther idea that may  work.

If you disconnect the  copper shaft from the black  hub  cap lol

Look at the copper shaft now I am proposing a over sized flat washer  like  item out of your junk draw, 10mm thick approx with a  diameter approx 40mm  be inserted  over the copper shaft then  glued onto the shaft glued.

The whole goal is to glue on a base plate on the shaft for the black hub cap to sit on.

Thus increaing the glue surface area of the hub cap and copper washer base and  this  allows  wire through the middle of the copper tube if this is whats happening.  

Hope this makes some sens I dont have a good  drawing program currently.

[JacobZ]

Hi @Judith2,

As I mentioned earlier, the problem is you're not creating any tension between the base and the lamp. Glue alone is never going to create enough tension to make the connection really solid.

Can you remove the bolt and the base and show me what the bottom of the lamp looks like? Can you also place a ruler or tape measure next to the rod for scale? Also, how far up the rod are you comfortable for a mechanical fixing to extend?

I'm thinking you might be able to use an expansion anchor such as a DynaBolt or masonry plug with a screw to create this tension.

Once you've provided the details I've asked for above, I'll assist further.

Jacob

[Judith2]

Hi Jacob,

yes, I do feel I might be trying to stretch the laws of physics with this one!

Here are some photos and measurements for your consideration- I’m thinking an expansion anchor might work….

i hope you can see the measurements in the pictures. Just to add, the lamp rests on 4 curved ‘feet’ you can see in the pictures- unfortunately they’re not level, and I’m not strong enuf to wrangle them! For the base, I’ve assembled 3 pieces- I can use 1, 2 or all 3 as I’d end up glueing them together…. You can see them separately in the pictures.

once again, all advice most welcome!

thank you!

judith