Re: [ATM] Alternatives to double-sided foam tape

["Alan Scott" <alanne1956@hotmail.com>]

I use double sided sticky tape to hold primary and secondary mirrors in 
place.  The tape has never failed after 1.5 years of use, including a fairly 
bumpy dirt road.

Anyone else use double sided tape to hold mirrors?

Alan Scott



>From: Daniel Fundo <fundo@bellsouth.net>
>To: Bruce MacDonald <brumac@gmail.com>
>CC: ATM List <atm@atmlist.net>
>Subject: Re: [ATM] Alternatives to double-sided foam tape
>Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2006 13:46:06 -0600
>
><<  What other means are there by which I can attach it more-or-less
>permanently, but still removable, and safer than double-sided tape?  >>
>
>Bruce,  I have had pieces connected with double sided foam tape sitting
>outside for yers without a failure.  The main reason the tape lets go,
>other than the foam rotting away, is usually improper application.  The
>most important step on connecting anything, regardless of the adhesive
>used, is surface preparation.
>
>Get a bottle of lighter fluid (i.e. cigarette lighter....."Ronsonol" is
>what you will find most often) and wipe the surfaces that the tape will
>go on with the fluid.  You don't have to pour it on, just wet a paper
>towel with it and clean the contact areas.  Now carefully place the tape
>on, don't touch the adhesive surface with your fingers, and press the
>pieces together.  It should now hold for a long time, regardless of
>conditions.
>
>We had a discussion on the Protostar flocked paper last year.  I placed
>some in the tube of the first edition of my 12.5", and used the foam
>tape supplied with my Telrad to fit the base to the outside.  I used the
>above procedure to prep the inside of the tube and the base on the
>outside.  The paper is still firmly attached to the inside of the tube,
>and the base is still on the outside (one of the mounting "ears" broke
>off and I bought a new base).  The tube has been outside for several
>years.  The temps have been as high as 104 degrees and as low as 17; we
>have had 50 inches of rain annually.  The fiberglass tube (from Parks)
>is beginning to show some wear, cracks in the gelcoat finish, but it
>will still hold my 200 pounds.  The Protostar flocked paper is a bit
>lose around the edges in a few places, but it won't be falling off
>anytime soon.  Same for the Telrad base.
>
>As for drilling a hole in aluminum tubing, as long as you have a sharp
>bit, there should be no problem.  The aluminum used in most tubes is
>alloy 6061 T6, so it will flex a bit without permanently distorting.
>Make sure you center punch the spot before you start to drill, and use a
>drop of oil to lubricate the bit as you progress (keeps the tip cool and
>sharp).
>
>3M has a releaseable adhesive on hooks they marketed a few years ago.
>There is a tab sticking out which can be pulled to break the adhesion.
>It leaves a clean, unmarked surface.  I have used several of the hooks
>they sell, and it works as advertised.  I don't know what the
>temperature tolerance for it is.  I'll look around.
>
>Add standard disclaimer for all products mentioned above.
>
>*****-----
>Dan F.
>Former Secretary/MAS
>Memphis, TN
>_______________________________________________
>ATM mailing list http://www.atmlist.net/

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