Securing LEDs to enclosures

[R.G.]

Go-rilla glue.

[Jdansti]

Go-rilla glue.

Gorilla polyurethane, cyanoacrylate (super glue), or other?  

I've noticed that the polyurethane glue has a tendency to expand while curing, and the cyanoacrylate has a tendency to glue your fingers together.  . I've had good success with the Gorilla polyurethane on wood as long as I clamp it well, otherwise, it can spread the two pieces of wood apart as it expands. I've had good success with the Gorilla cyanoacrylate on many different surfaces.

Edit: Oops-accidentally hit "post".

For gluing stompbox guts, I usually use hot glue. You just have to keep it away from mechanical parts like switches and enclosed jacks because it can seep inside the components and glue things that are supposed to move.

[deadastronaut]

concrete..

i drill a 3mm hole, test fit the led,  if ok, i put a tiny bit of you guessed it, 'superglue' around the hole and carefully keep it central and push in place..

turn it over to dry...in seconds.

those buggers will never come out....if you want to remove/change it you have to drill it out from 'inside' the box...

i gave up on bezels, and just use 3mm leds on pedals now.

[greaser_au]

i have used silicone before as well , i dont care for the smell / clean up fact that in the past i have found it dries up when stored , any tips on what i am doing wrong ?

Is the the smell vinegary? that's acid cure - it's bad for the electronics as well!.   Use a neutral cure caulk (look for 72-hour cure time - it will be solid in 24 hours but don't seal the box up for a couple more days) .

When you say drying up. do you mean going solid?  This stuff cures as a reaction to air/water vapour. Make sure the tube is properly sealed, and keep it cold (down under,  we put it in the beer/bait fridge), it will last for years.

Cleanup:  Wipe up excess material with paper towel/napkin/tissue/TP & clean up what is left with methylated spirits/IPA/rubbing alcohol.

hope this helps,
david

[RandomGlitch]

Something no-one else has mentioned - I file/sand a 5mm led so it fits flush in to the surface in an appropriately-sized hole, glue it in, then apply artwork decal over that.

The led shines through the decal.