3M VHB Very High Bond Tape for Cue Tip?

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NickCody

New member
I've been reading about some of the VHB super tape that 3M makes that seem exceptionally strong. Many are on foam but some get down to 5mil thick. They still take 24hr to fully cure to max strength, but that also makes them short term repositionable. It seems like a no drip no clean up mounting method if it is strong enough. I'm sure 3M has some kind of complex doc that talks about it, but I can't find simple info on how it handles shock over long term.

Has anyone tried mounting a tip with VHB tape?

btw, VHB is too short to search the forum for so I may have missed a previous thread.
Nick
 
My opinion, for what it's worth, is that this is a terrible idea. Have you ever worked with VHB? It is extremely sticky and once you place it, you're not moving it again. It also has some thickness so it will have a certain amount of "sponginess". The worst part will be removal when it is time to replace the tip. That VHB will gum up a cutting tool like crazy. I've used VHB in many applications and I can't imagine using it on a pool cue tip.

Just my $0.02, please don't take offense and turn this post into a flame fest.
 
tg_vegas said:
My opinion, for what it's worth, is that this is a terrible idea. Have you ever worked with VHB? It is extremely sticky and once you place it, you're not moving it again. It also has some thickness so it will have a certain amount of "sponginess". The worst part will be removal when it is time to replace the tip. That VHB will gum up a cutting tool like crazy. I've used VHB in many applications and I can't imagine using it on a pool cue tip.

Just my $0.02, please don't take offense and turn this post into a flame fest.
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Obviously the only way to know for sure would be to try it. Having said that, I agree that it's almost certainly a bad idea. While 5 mil doesn't sound like much, it's enough to cause an issue. I'd bet it would have a similar effect as having a layered tip with one of the layers delaminating. And if you've ever had to deal with that before you know it's not fun.
 
Jimmy_Betmore said:
Obviously the only way to know for sure would be to try it. Having said that, I agree that it's almost certainly a bad idea. While 5 mil doesn't sound like much, it's enough to cause an issue. I'd bet it would have a similar effect as having a layered tip with one of the layers delaminating. And if you've ever had to deal with that before you know it's not fun.
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If you've ever tried to remove VHB, you'll know what I'm talking about. It is most commonly used to attach automotive logos to cars and is a bit "rubbery" in its feel. I would guess that it would have a noticable influence on the feel of the hit.

I've got a roll of it here, and a few junky house cues, perhaps I'll give it a try
 
tg_vegas said:
If you've ever tried to remove VHB, you'll know what I'm talking about. It is most commonly used to attach automotive logos to cars and is a bit "rubbery" in its feel. I would guess that it would have a noticable influence on the feel of the hit.

I've got a roll of it here, and a few junky house cues, perhaps I'll give it a try
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Please give it try and let us know. When we first started using super glue for tips in the 80s many players still preferred the old rubber cement for their tips as they liked the cushion and snap it added to the tip when hitting the cue ball.
 
tg_vegas said:
If you've ever tried to remove VHB, you'll know what I'm talking about. It is most commonly used to attach automotive logos to cars and is a bit "rubbery" in its feel. I would guess that it would have a noticable influence on the feel of the hit.

I've got a roll of it here, and a few junky house cues, perhaps I'll give it a try
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By all means give it a whirl. I mean, that's how we learn things, right? It could turn out awesome.
 
tg_vegas said:
If you've ever tried to remove VHB, you'll know what I'm talking about. It is most commonly used to attach automotive logos to cars and is a bit "rubbery" in its feel. I would guess that it would have a noticable influence on the feel of the hit.

I've got a roll of it here, and a few junky house cues, perhaps I'll give it a try
Click to expand...

That may be what you are most familiar with, but VHB tapes are used in a lot of other applications, including other automotive applications. VHB tape is used in most electronic screen mounting. The self-adhesive velcro you can buy at target is often VHB backed. Enclosed trailers are often sealed with VHB tape. Some building windows are mounted solely with VHB.

VHB tape is also available at 2mil thickness.

All things considered, I think this is a great idea that will likely have horrible results. As was stated, there is a legitimate set time for ultimate strength. I am almost positive that any competent tip installer could have a tip fully done with cyano before the VHB tip is ready to be trimmed. Probably on the order of 71.5hours before....
 
I agree there is going to be some curing issues with VHB. Most of the VHB I have used is really thick like 1.5-2mm foam which is why I am interested in the thin stuff. My plan is to clam a tip with VHB for a day and trim it then peal the other side for the ferrule. I also agree this is most likely not too useful for professional re-tippers who need a volume. I am not on that kind of time requirement and am just doing it for my local bar as well as friends. Me, I am getting ticked that even with little small single use tubes of CA in my fridge, it still seem like about 1 in 4 tips pop off. Even if it takes me 48 hours to get a good bond, I am fine with it.
I ordered some of https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y2ZKZ4T which is 6 mil and is out of stock but Amazon normally gets stuff like this back when someone orders it. I can't find anything on 3M's site for 2mil but will keep looking.
I look forward to tg_vegas's test. Thank you. I'll also report on my test when the VHB arrives.
Nick
 
CA in the refrigerator… always found it best storing at room temp. If some tips are failing the CA is expired or junk to begin with. They are not created equal. Tips falling off could be something in the technique. Dirt/dust. Try cleaning ferrule with an alcohol pad. Slightly sand/rough up the glue side of the tip.
Using VHB tape? Probably a waste of time but satisfy your interests. VHB bonds best to smooth flat solid surfaces. Experiment with an old cue. Go ahead and have fun with it. There is no harm in trying.

I’m a hobbyist not a cue maker but have experience replacing tips. The ones I had a problem with are Elkmaster. I have no reason to ever install one again… if so I’d use an epoxy.
 
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For me, scoring the end of the ferrule and bottom of the sanded tip has been key to tips that don't pop off. I've had only one pop off on me and I know that I failed to adequately prep the tip that time. It was an Ultraskin and I was in a hurry.

Epoxy for a tip would be challenging. The viscosity would require a significant amount of pressure during curing to make sure that the glue bond is as thin as possible. You don't want a measurable thickness of epoxy (or any adhesive) between the tip and the ferrule. As direct a connection as is possible is the best end result
 
tg_vegas said:
Epoxy for a tip would be challenging. The viscosity would require a significant amount of pressure during curing to make sure that the glue bond is as thin as possible. You don't want a measurable thickness of epoxy (or any adhesive) between the tip and the ferrule. As direct a connection as is possible is the best end result
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That is simply not true in every case. Some tests have shown epoxy strength is highest at up to 4mm thickness.
 
At 4mm, you effectively have a 0.157" thick pad of epoxy under the tip. If that is what you want, great. To each his own, I was just expressing an opinion.
 
To follow up on this. I got a roll of 1" VHB transfer tape (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007Y7CSAC) which is just the VHB "glue" without any foam or backing and is 2MIL thick. I clamped it to the tip for 8 hours, and clamped the tip on the cue for a few days using a rubber band clamp. After that was done I pushed on it sideways and it popped off easily... 😖
I'll try it a few other time, it could be technique. But most likely it isn't going to hold well enough between leather and plastic. Its a bit of a shame since it mounts really cleanly without any drip or anything. If it worked it applies much easier then just glue.
@tg_vegas just curious if you tried with what you had?
 
So to do a final follow up and close this out.
I tried the transfer tape two more times with about the same results of not being strong enough.
The thin 6mil foam tape I bought finally arrived. It was fairly strong but I couldn't trim the tip without twisting it off. The foam was such that you could move the tip around by maybe 1mm fairly easy. I have a pretrimmed tip that I am going to try just to feel how it feels to shoot with it. But I don't think it is going to last for very long or have any significant reason to use.
3M being 3M, I am sure they make some kind of tape or adhesive that could work for this need, but current standard VHB isn't it.

Long and short, VHB isn't suitable for attaching tips.
 
I tried it today as well with similar results. While the tip held fairly well after the adhesive had its cure time, trimming the excess off was a real pain. You can't cut it easily with a lathe without ripping the tip off. You can trim with a razor blade but cosmetically it didn't look great. It did seem to soften the hit a bit on my cue when I tried it out.

Agreed with @NickCody - no go on this one.
 
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