SubscriberAnne here again, sharing a final update on my blacksmith renovation project, which is sponsored by 3M.
Ever since we moved to this property 3 years ago, I have wanted to turn this space into my dream blacksmith shop. I didn’t quite know where to start, which is why I’m so glad to be working on this with 3M. At any stage, if I had questions, I knew I could come straight to the 3M Industrial Community.
The first stage of the project was the cleanup. This space was being used as a makeshift chicken coop which had caused the building to almost rot away. With a lot of help from some really great friends, we managed to get it all cleaned up and ready to go.
Then it was time to start rebuilding the structure of the building, which included the windows. This is when I decided to get the 3M engineers’ advice on how to create some easy no-weld windows. They advised that I use 3M™ VHB™ Tape to create a metal to acrylic bond and slide the finished panels into place. It worked a treat and now we have some lovely sliding windows to increase airflow in the workshop.
The second stage of the window installation was getting some frosted windows installed on the other side of the shop so that people can’t see in from the road near the farm. I sanded some acrylic sheets and used 3M™ Scotch-Weld™ Polyurethane Reactive (PUR) Adhesive to adhere these sheets to the side of the building.
The last major part of the project was to attach a gable vent to increase airflow in the forge. For the gable vent, I sanded the wood surfaces and cleaned them to prep for adhesion. I again used the PUR adhesive to adhere the pre-built gable vent to the studs of the building.
To seal in all my hard work on the workshop and protect it from Seattle rain, I used 3M Adhesive Sealant 740 UV.
Although the blacksmith shop is nearing completion there’s always more to do on the farm. I’m curious about other potential applications for the tape and PUR adhesive and thought the engineers on the 3M Industrial Community would be the best people to ask. Any ideas?
If any trim pieces or parts of the interior of your truck needs to be repaired or replaced, there is potentially the opportunity to utilize some of these products to adhere/affix them. From my own experience, the VHB tape works great for mounting address numbers, various media players to the backs of TVs, undermounting J channel to a desk for cable management, and also undermounting multi-port USB chargers to desks, end tables, and nightstands.
Hi Anne,
It’s awesome to see what you’ve accomplished in your blacksmith shop with tapes and adhesives. I’m looking forward to seeing the forge start up in your new workshop!
Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind as you consider other design challenges around the farm:
3M™ VHB™ Tapes shine in applications such as panel-to-frame attachment, stiffener-to-panel attachment, and mounting/trim attachment. They can be used on a variety of substrates such as metal, glass, painted/sealed wood, and many paints and plastics. They also separate substrates, so in cases of metal-to-metal attachment, this separation can prevent galvanic corrosion. Signage attachment and trailer side-panel attachment are two examples where 3M™ VHB™ Tapes have been used for decades.
3M™ Scotch-Weld™ Polyurethane Reactive (PUR) Adhesives are especially well suited for bare wood, but they also bond well to metal, glass, ceramic, and some plastics. Because they cure to structural strength (over 1,000 psi shear strength), they can be used for small joint assembly where there is a lot of stress on the bond. They are also often used for decorative attachment and large surface lamination.
You didn’t have a project for two-part structural adhesives (a.k.a. “epoxy”), but they should definitely be in your toolbox. 3M™ Scotch-Weld™ two-part structural adhesives come in a variety of chemistries (epoxy, acrylic, urethane) which can be matched to most substrates including most metals, woods, paints, and plastics. They are best used for rigid permanent attachment, especially when there are high forces and small bond areas. With some design changes, they can be used to replace rivets and welds.
