Source of double sided tape in australia
 

The following summarises discussion with Biolink, a local Vicco supplier (John Baker if you are in Queensland)
:
One 25m roll of 12mm Flexlink 1100R double sided tape initially recommended
> This tape is only 1mm thick and my plans call for 2mm thickness.
> The plans suggest any of the following from 3M's range: 4955, 4991,
> 4655, 4957, 5962, 4979, 4956, 4956F, 4016, 4026 or 4056
> Please let me know whether you have any of these that I could substitute
> for the 1100R.

Prolink 2000R recommended, described as Ultra High Bond Clear - 2mm
thick - 12mm x 16.5M
http://www.tapesonline.com.au/double...ond-clear.html

For small orders buy online at www.tapesonline.com.au. Express delivery by Australia Post.

I said 2mm on the plans in case the C-channels were of really bad quality with dips and lumps. (A 2mm tape will absorb about 0.5mm of "roughness" I guess). You can decide if you can go thinner, or need to go thicker . . . .

Im just new with my build but i have been forum searching (reading,reading,reading) and i would like to put my 2 cents regarding this thread.......i am a bodyman and we use autobody panel adhesive to glue quarter panels and such and when applied and clamped over night there is no way you can pull it off. That is what i am going to do when i install mine.

Mike,

This looks like a great suggestion. Makes it easy to make adjustments and then clamp firmly. Have you found it critical to have very close surfaces and thin film? How critical is the heat for set up? Some epoxies will not set or get gummy (amine sheen) below 65 F.

Stephen, the bottom side of the rail could have some irregularities....the panel bonding adhesive has some body to it, to apply the temp should be no colder then 55/60 F. You can buy it at any autobody supply store.

I know its been awhile since anyone has posted here, but, I found some 3M 4956 adhesive tape for $30.00 US (until gone) for 36 yards x 1" x .062" Grey at this link, http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/, I buy from these guys regularly so I feel they are trustworthy.

Sold out.

wow that was quick.

Are people attaching the tape to a painted rail (bottom) or to bare metal. About to paint and was wondering if I should leave the bottom of the rail clean.

I attached to clean painted rail. Those who had not painted their mm obviously direct to steel.

painted rail !
With proper bare metal prep....paint will stay :rolleyes:
;)

Painted rail!
I'm too lazy to paint the rail after the rack is attached. But was hard working enough to sand the rail to white metal with a hang grinder before I paint.

I degreased my metal with acetone, painted everything with Rustoleum paints, and attached my racks with the tape referenced in post 63 of this thread. No bolts on ends, just tape.

No paint on the bottom of the rails, but cleaned with acetone before mounting the X and Y racks with tape. I did use screws on Z.

On the paint, no issues what so ever

Ok. Painted sounds like it works. Still I might mask off the tape area before I paint if I don't get impatient.
Thanks for the input all.

I attached to prepped clean metal with the tape. No problems with unpainted.

VHB4599 Tape is available as a stock item on Amazon in the USA. At least today.

thanks

Update: 1200+ hours on tape. No problems yet. Truthfully, I've done nothing but routine maintenance, and not very diligently. A robust design.

VHB is the way to go....holding strong since 2007

I have one side with VHB and the other with standard double sided foam tape. I did this as a test to see which one held better. Both are still holding fine. The key is prepping the metal so there are not any oils or debris that will interfere with the adhesive.