Gluing laminate panel to plywood

[David Huston]

Trying to make a built up work table top and need some help. I have a piece of 1/2 plywood that is already coated with melamine on both sides. I want to glue it to a piece of 3/4 Baltic birch for more stability. What glue should I use? I was thinking about contact cement but it is such a pain. Would epoxy work?

Thanks for the help

[Chris Padilla]

What is the size of the pieces you wish to laminate? For a workbench, I'm thinking it is around 24" x 60" or so?

For starters, I would scuff the melamine pretty good to give it some tooth. Melamine is great for dripping glue on since it pops right off. NOT so good in your case!

The makers of Titebond make a special Melamine Glue: http://www.titebond.com/product.aspx?id=c9121dfd-2a9d-46d0-bd6d-c183e64bd0cd You need something like this to bond it properly.

[Peter Kelly]

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Adhesives/Tapes/Products/~/3M-Hi-Strength-90-Inverted-Spray-Adhesive?N=5396314+3294246657&rt=rud

Much less messy than epoxy. $15 or so at your local hardware store.

[Vince Shriver]

How 'bout this: figure a way to attach to the plywood, and when the melamine get funky from service in the shop, you and flip it and start over. Maybe a few well placed screws, or attached to the ply on the edge (like aluminum L-shaped angle stock).