LED mounting without a bezel? Which glue?

[therecordingart]

I'm getting away from bezels because I like how LEDs look just poking through the enclosure. I've tried hot glue and super glue, but hot glue doesn't hold and super glue messes up the lens of the LED then takes a long time to dry. I've been playing with clever wiring to use the leads of the LED to hold it in place, but I want something more secure.

Ideas?

[aion]

No glue for me - I usually will drill 3/16" hole, which is just 0.01" too small for a 5mm LED, and then just jam it in as far as it will go. It's not going anywhere - most of mine are so tight that I've had to tap pretty hard on the top of them in order to get them to come loose on the occasions I've needed to remove them. LEDs are very slightly tapered, so this works pretty well.

I've noticed that the water-clear and diffused LEDs are slightly different sizes, and there's probably some variance by manufacturer as well, so there's a little bit of trial and error in this. 3/16" works well for me, but you may need to get a reamer or something to match your LED of choice.

[deadastronaut]

i just use a good superglue

i put a little on the edge of the 3mm/5mm  (i mostly use 3mm's now) drilled hole and then carefully put led in...they never come out, in fact you have to re-drill em out from the inside if you just want to change the colour etc etc..

test fit it first though.

[davent]

You could mount them on the pcb.

Wire to the switch.


I've also used hot glue but warm up the enclosure and LED with a hot air gun to get better adhesion.

Usually i do nothing but rely on friction. I drill out the enclosure's LED hole to 1/8". By the time i've painted and clearcoated the enclosure the hole is much smaller then the required 3mm LED so i use a 3mm drill bit to open it up again to make room for the tight fitting LED.

[garcho]

love the PCB mount/LEDs Dave, bravo

[Processaurus]

i just use a good superglue

Superglue is unfortunately partially conductive, and can cause all kinds of mysterious problems if it comes in contact with a circuit, which is easy because of how it wicks into stuff.  I would lean toward an epoxy for permanent stuff, or silicone or hot glue for temporary/removable uses.

The press fit idea is good!

[artifus]

i'm sure i read davent mention something nasty going on with silicone as it cures recently, toxic fumes or corrosive qualities i think, can't remember and may be wrong.

[Pyr0]

I use epoxy for mine. I've had problems with some 3mm leds doing the force-fit method where the terminals of the leds short against the case at the sides of the led, I guess the hole needed to be just a tiny bit bigger.

[deadastronaut]

i just use a good superglue

Superglue is unfortunately partially conductive, and can cause all kinds of mysterious problems if it comes in contact with a circuit, which is easy because of how it wicks into stuff.

perhaps, but it will never come into contact with the circuit, or the heat shrinked led legs...  i drill the 3mm hole then put a tiny ring of superglue around the holes edge, then drop the led in. it dries instantly ,  never had any probs so far...

[garcho]

but guys, how do you cover up sloppy drilling without a bezel? 

[davent]

i'm sure i read davent mention something nasty going on with silicone as it cures recently, toxic fumes or corrosive qualities i think, can't remember and may be wrong.

I remember the thread but it was amptramp. And like he's says there is non-corrosive silicone adhesive but relative to your hardware store goop, it costs an arm and a leg. MG Chemicals is one producer of the good stuff.

When silicone cures, it releases acetic acid which will corrode conductors and conduct leakage current, unless you are using the expensive stuff that does not release acetic acid. Hot glue is not very strong, but it generally does no harm.

[HOTTUBES]

Find the ' Adhaer " brand thick super glue .( little blue tube , red top )
Works awesome , as i said , it's thick so the glue won't wick it's way down on the
LED lenses an cloud them up etc etc ....


drill your hole
install LED
apply the thick super glue
let stand over night

Dries semi clear , and it's hard as hell !!

I got a sh*t load of them at the Canadian chain store " Dollarama " you know those
cheap junk stores all over , but i have to say , this stuff works great , and cheap too !!

[LucifersTrip]

something that's thick and doesn't run and dries quickly is best....5 to 15 min epoxy works great

[LucifersTrip]

but guys, how do you cover up sloppy drilling without a bezel?  

with a larger led, of course

[HOTTUBES]

but guys, how do you cover up sloppy drilling without a bezel? 

Don't drill sloppy !

[joegagan]

i am using this stuff called 'surebonder 9001', which is clear, similar  ( better) to old style duco cement. it is made for small household repairs, it is not silcone based.
it stays a little bit rubbery, i apply it in a little pool around the led from the backside.
i also sometimes use the tight-fit hole method. i place the LED very close to the 3pdt, then run a large diameter wire soldered approx3/4" alongside the LED lead from the switch leg as a stiffener.
i also use the 9001 glue to bond wah gears to D shafts for wah pots.

[roseblood11]

Different approach:

Use a piece of plastic to hold the LED in place. Drill two small holes for the legs and a big hole for the footswitch (or maybe a pot).

Advantages:
-it's easy to remove
-if you step on the LED, the plastic will bend and nothing will be damaged

[Perrow]

No glue.

[garcho]

awesome build Perrow

[joegagan]

Different approach:

Use a piece of plastic to hold the LED in place. Drill two small holes for the legs and a big hole for the footswitch (or maybe a pot).

Advantages:
-it's easy to remove
-if you step on the LED, the plastic will bend and nothing will be damaged

nice, i like it