Greetings and Salutations

[the_weeb]

I am working on my first ever Steampunk outfit for Dragon*Con 2009 and I wanted to ask a few quick questions of you veteran steamers:

1. What is the best way to adhere metal parts to other metal parts? Superglue? Glue Gun? Welding?

2. Is spray painting something to look like metal considered cheap or cheaty?

Thanks!

Sheena aka The Weeb

Comments

[inaurolillium]

Soldering works reasonably well for many metals, and is cheaper and easier than welding.

[mobiboros]

What inaurolillium said. Go for soldering over welding as it's cheaper and easier to get the tools for (less than $100 for soldering equipment. Hundreds of dollars for decent welding equipment.)

Spray painting works. A lot of people turn nerf guns into steamy guns just be sanding off the branding and spraypainting them metallic.

[bobsgirlfriend]

1. As stated above, usually soldering is the way to go. Some epoxies will hold metal, but superglue/glue gun will not probably not hold for any length of time unless they're very small parts.

2. Well, no. *I* certainly don't have a wealth of metal at my disposal, and I would either use paint or metal leaf. (I happen to LOVE gold leaf. LOVE LOVE LOVE.) Spray painting, obviously, will never look as good as real metal, but may be worth it in cost/convenience depending on the project.

[lavenderfae9]

Look here: http://www.thistothat.com/

[the_weeb]

Brilliant!

[nostrapotomus]

I was just about to suggest that. Way to be on the ball.

[futuretense]

I see no reason for paint to be considered cheating. A good paint job is a thing of beauty in it's own way.

As for attaching metal to metal: never underestimate the value of a good old fashion bolt.