How to attach metal to wood?

[jillsy]

Does anyone have any suggestions on attaching metal to wood?

I've got this primitive, folk-art idea in my head that requires attaching old rusty nails to wood. These are nails with blunt ends, made about 100 years ago.

I was thinking it might be possible to hammer the blunt ends into the wood (both the top and bottom of the nails need to be attached to 2 different pieces of wood). If I can't hammer in the blunted part of the nail, maybe glue it to the wood somehow? Is there a special epoxy I can get for that?

Anyone? Anyone?

[AlArchie]

Jillsy, 5 min epoxy will do the trick if all you want to do is attach the nails. If they are going to be a structural member, drill pilot holes and then epoxy....that stuff is STROOOONG!

most any brand will do

Al

[Canopener]

Jillsy,
There are quick set epoxys out there.
You also might want to try a hot glue gun. Every crafter and handy person should have a hot glue gun; it is up there with duct tape and bailing wire. You can get a good or very good one for not very much money.
The glue may get kind of blobby for your project though.
Hope this helps.
Jim

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by Canopener

Jillsy,
There are quick set epoxys out there.
You also might want to try a hot glue gun. Every crafter and handy person should have a hot glue gun; it is up there with duct tape and bailing wire. You can get a good or very good one for not very much money.
The glue may get kind of blobby for your project though.
Hope this helps.
Jim

I guess that it depends on how long you want the nails to stay with your wood.....epoxy is way better than hot glue.

[schizoidlogger]

JB Weld is a metal based . two part epoxy that is strong enough to repair engine blocks and will stick very well to metal nails (as long as the head/surface area is sanded and rust free). It is much stronger than 5 min. epoxy but takes longer to set up. Depends how much wear and tear/exposure to rough handling etc. as to what you choose.

Thanks,
Merv

[jillsy]

Oh, thank you!

It doesn't need to be super strong, but I definitely don't want it falling apart on me. Since I'll be working with RUSTED nails, I guess the JB weld wouldn't do. And having worked with hot glue, I know that wouldn't be strong enough for this particular project (too bad, I've got 2 hot glue guns at home!) So, it looks like the 5 min epoxy is my best bet.

Thanks again!

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Both H Depot / Lowes carry good epoxy for around $5.00. Where gloves, the stuff is messy. They also have 15 and 30 min. epoxy if you don't want to rush.

Dave

[schizoidlogger]

JB Weld will work fine as long as the area that needs to be glued is rust free, ie: just sand the head of the nail head - flat where it needs to be glued to the wood. The rust can be left on where it is part of the art piece and visible. If you need more bite - use it to attach a short metal stud to the nail head, let set over night and then attach by drilling a hole in the wood backing and glue the nails in place after placing the dimples (nail head extensions) into the holes. Should be good and solid then and easier to hide any glue used because the drilled hole would be holding the adhesive.

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by schizoidlogger

JB Weld is a metal based . two part epoxy that is strong enough to repair engine blocks and will stick very well to metal nails (as long as the head/surface area is sanded and rust free). It is much stronger than 5 min. epoxy but takes longer to set up. Depends how much wear and tear/exposure to rough handling etc. as to what you choose.

Thanks,
Merv

Don't forget about the 30 minute epoxy....this is really best if let set over night and stronger than any of them.

[Keoma]

I would have to agree with AlArchie. I use 5 minute Epoxy for EVERYTHING! It is super strong...and takes 5 minutes! I also use a lot of old nails in my works. Since the metal is old and sometimes super rusty and brittle, I predrill a small hole and then epoxy them bad boys in Best of luck to you. What are you makin'?