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Edge attachment

Category: ProcessCompiled from 2 source threads

Quotes are verbatim and attributed to their original authors.

Before layup, the bent steel edges are glued to the base so they hold position through pressing. The tools and glue are cheap; the technique is what separates a clean edge from a frustrating one.

Bend with tile nippers

Many builders abandoned their roller benders (see Edge bending) for modified tile or end nippers, which are faster and keep the bend in-plane:

"I bent some edges for a new pair just yesterday, using my nippers, and it took me all of maybe 5-10 minutes and the edges are a PERFECT fit (3/4 wrap)… the nippers keep the bend perfectly in plane. Something I could never do with just pliers."
— twizzstyle · thread #4185, "Bending and gluing edges"

The knack is light pressure — add a little bend, check against the base, add more — and remember that un-bending takes less force than bending, so it is easy to overshoot.

Glue to the flame-treated side

Edges are tacked to the base with thin or medium superglue (cyanoacrylate; "2P10" is named), and it must go on the flame-treated side — the other side won't stick. One important don't:

"Don't clean the flame treated plastic with solvents, it destroys the flame treating. If you do you have to reflame."
— MontuckyMadman · thread #4185, "Bending and gluing edges"

And don't use hot glue. Give the superglue time — a few minutes to half an hour — to cure before moving the base.

Clamp to hold, not to shape

If the edge only sits right while clamped, it isn't bent enough:

"The edge should [fit] perfectly without any clamping. If you're having to use clamps to hold it in place, you need to do more bending… you shouldn't rely on them to hold the edge shape."
— twizzstyle · thread #4185, "Bending and gluing edges"

Use plenty of cheap spring clamps (Harbor Freight, around a dollar each, 3"+ so they grip) just to hold the edge down while the glue sets; builders pull the rubber tip off one jaw so it doesn't stick to the edge. Bend both edges symmetrically and attach them at the same time, tip to tail, so they don't pull the base out of shape — see Finishing & flattening.

Source threads