TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Dec 29, 2013 12:36 pm

I do Auto Body work for myself. Not a lot of volume so spending big money for the "proper" up to date tools is not high on my priority list!

I recently decided to utilize 3M's Panel adhesive. It us a two part product that mixes in the nozzle, ingenious actually!

The proper dispensers are expensive!
$100-$400 !

Not laying out that kind of coin!

So........
Gather together ....
1 - one quart quality caulk gun (being a builder I have many for subfloor adhesives)
1 - 1-1/4" dowel
1 - 1" dowel
1 - scrap of 1x2 pine (3/4x1 1/2") about 5" long
2 - 1-1/2" pan head screws
Drill bits and screw driver
Saw
Pencil
Tape measure.

The adhesive piston centers are 1-1/2".

I marked my 1 x 2 scrap about mid point for the centers and drilled a clearance hole for the screws.

I cut the two dowels to 5-1/2" long being careful to have square ends so they sit flat on the 1 x 2...........

I Then found the center of each dowel (it helps having the right tools! :) ) .........

I drilled the dowels with a pilot bit to prevent cracking the dowel when the screw runs in.........

I Assembled the two dowels onto the 1 x 2 ..........

See How nicely it fits?.........

Here are of photos of it in my gun. My gun has a slot in the bottom so I allowed the 1 x 2 to protrude through for balance....... If I had a do it again card, I would recess the screw heads into the 1 x 2.............

Dave

Sun Dec 29, 2013 1:30 pm

Good thinking! :)

Sun Dec 29, 2013 3:40 pm

Awesome. Does the mixing tip mix the two components sufficiently or do you need to mix it in a separate step before applying it to a joint?

Sun Dec 29, 2013 6:26 pm

while the 3m guns are outragously expensive, the SEM guns are only about $35 and accept all the panel adhesive tubes including 3m. the large cualking guns are still around $20 if you dont have a "bunch lying around", and they're about twice the size, but it does look like it will work.

Sun Dec 29, 2013 10:30 pm

Hmmmmm...... Maybe years ago.
Today's prices.........

$70
http://www.amazon.com/SEM-Paints-SEM70029-Dual-Mix-Applicator/dp/B000BHL1HI

$99
http://www.tcpglobal.com/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=SEM%2071119

Yes, the mixing tip is a highly effective miracle of in tube mixing, quite simple, yet oddly fascinating.
One of those "Why didn't I think about that?" Devices! :cry:

Here is the mixing nozzle. Utilizing a series of baffles inside the two parts are forced to intermix with each other exiting the nozzle properly mixed together! ........

Dave

Tue Dec 31, 2013 4:34 pm

This is genius! I splurged on the gun a month ago and it worked great. The mixing nozzle was fascinating to watch!

Wed Jan 01, 2014 11:00 am

:? good thinking, but....

i will have to look at my gun. for some reason, i think the plunges are staggered, so if yours are not you won't get the proper mix.

i will double check to confirm

Wed Jan 01, 2014 11:51 am

skills@eurocarsplus wrote: :? good thinking, but....

i will have to look at my gun. for some reason, i think the plunges are staggered, so if yours are not you won't get the proper mix.

i will double check to confirm

Hmmmm, I can't imagine why they would be but if they are let me know and by how much.

Easy enough to fix! A little snip here and a tiny snip there..........And I'll change my instructions also.

The mix ratio quantity is determined by the tube size, not the piston travel.

Dave

Wed Jan 01, 2014 8:44 pm

no stagger on the length of any of the adhesive guns
some tubes have one tube smaller than the other to provide the proper mix ratio.

Mon Mar 09, 2015 8:52 am

Saw this thread via Vanagon forum
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7585596#7585596
thanks for posting what you found.
I'll probably try welding first but if my
"skills" prohibit that...... plan B!

Neil.