[shill82]

What is the best way to bond lexan to aluminum? I've already tried JB weld and it didn't hold well at all.

Thanks
Shawn

[azhari]

I would suggest using a rubber o-ring. But that requires some milling and tabs for screws.

Have you tried silicone? I used kitchen and tile silicone from walmart to bond acrylic to rubber, but it should bond to aluminum too.

[gone_fishin]

Use liquid gasket found at an automotive parts store. The pressure screwing the two pieces together will hold it and the liquid gasket will seal it watertight. I've used it when changing thermostats on vehicles and it never leaked yet. The waterpump in the vehicle is more powerful than for cpu cooling so I would have no worries as long as you have the base tapped for mounting the top plate with screws.

[shill82]

Thanks for the responce but like 5 seconds before you did i thought of the way that i am gonna do it. My dad was an auto mechanic for 26 years and has some gasket making material laying around I'm gonna use that epoxy both sides and put 4 screws through it and be all set.

Thanks Again
Shawn

[IFMU]

Im going to have to go with what gone fishin said here. The best way would be to use something along those lines for it.
However, Im having a presumtion that you were not to interested in using bolts, are you wanting just the "glue" to hold it on? If so maybe if you could give a little better idea as to what it is your doing. So we could judge what posititioning etc that would be involved. This could make a difference.

Again, however, if you will be using bolts or screws to hold it down. A silicon type goop would work great. Sorry, cant think of better terms here....
Go to your local hardware store and tell them you need silicone DIP. Its a brand name that might be available. What to do with it is put it onto whatever surface your joining. Give it a little time to minorly set. Then put the other peice on and slowly tighten it down. It would more than likely be best to tighten it down very little at a time. Basiclly turning the silicone into a gasket. but at the same time, using it to help hold the peices together, even though very little.
Just keep in mind, use very little, just a very thin small bead, continuous bead. And it should be great as a gasket of sorts.

[Sean Lindstrom]

Silicone under compression should work great. Otherwise, you might want to play around with a polyurethane caulking. I've been using this stuff outdoors for 10 years, and never had to reapply it. It didn't really enter the market until recently, because of some patent complications. Polyurethane caulking is very very sticky, and it will cure to a tough rubber. You can't peel it off like silicone.

The main problem with silicone is that it likes to seperate and then convey a slow leak by osmosis (is that the right word?).

LePage is the biggest producer of polyurethane caulking. Their line is colour-coded by intended use. So, grey is for concrete; white is for yachts. The spec sheets are identical, but you'll note that white is most expensive...

[Tecumseh]

I have to agree with azhari. The o-ring idea is the best. It
doesn't make a mess; it comes off easily for cleaning or
mods; it looks professional. The gemini and the maze3
got the idea right.

If you want a clear top the o-ring is simply the best way
to go. The only down side is that you may have to get
a machine shop to cut the grooves for you.

[JFettig]

we want to see pics!!!(well i at least i do)

[seantx]

I've had great success using Goop (the name of the product) to bond Lexan. I'm actually in the process of building a shroud out of it. I'll be making a reservoir out of it in the future. About the only downside is it takes around 2-3 hours to bond well and 24 to fully cure.
Home Depot has it for around $5 for a good size tube.