How to Glue Metal to Metal

Gluing nonporous surfaces together such as two pieces of metal can be tricky. In some cases, particularly with jewelry applications, soldering is the better solution. If you don't have access to a soldering iron and need to glue metal to metal, here's how to do it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Choose your glue.
   
   The two types of glue that work best for gluing two pieces of metal together are two part epoxy glues or Krazy glue. Two part epoxy glue requires mixing two components together but if done correctly is the better choice. The bond formed with Krazy glue can be more brittle.
2. Clean the two metal parts thoroughly.
   
   In order to form a strong bond when gluing metal to metal, the two metal parts must be thorougly cleaned to remove any debris that might prevent a strong bond from being formed.
3. Texturize the two metal parts.
   
   The more "tooth" the two metal pieces have before gluing, the more likely they are to form a strong bond. Use sandpaper to add texture to the surface of the two metal parts before gluing them together.
4. Apply your chosen glue.
   
   Apply your chosen glue (either Krazy Glue or two part epoxy) according to the directions on the package.
5. Apply a clamp.
   
   Applying a clamp when gluing metal to metal helps to further promote formation of a strong bond between the two pieces.
6. Allow the two pieces to dry for the designated time period.
   
   Always observe the recommended drying time for the particular glue you're using. Not allowing adequate time to draw is one of the biggest reasons for failure when gluing metal to metal.