What kind of glue for gluing a rubber trackpoint ?

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Peperonix

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Hi,

I am doing computer rental and frequently some laptops are returned without the keyboard trackpoint cap.
For good, long-standing customer, I simply cannot invoice that.

So, I decided gluing the trackpoint caps, in a way that I can still replace them (with some effort), but so that they are somewhat harder to steal for fun.

I have tried contact glue (applied 5 minutes on both sides) and it is not gluing well.
I also tried cyanoacrylate glue (instant glue / superglue). Seems to stick better, but still disapointing.

So, my question is what kind of glue would be nice for that?
Preferably do not mention a brand, as it may not be available in my country, but rather the kind of glue.
Thank you.
 
Unfortunately, I can't tell you a glue type, per se, but several brands (at least one of which is probably available internationally) you might try.

First, some notes: Cyanoacrylate (AKA super glue) is a horrible choice for anything where a "perfect fit" between the surfaces being joined is not present, and that's definitely the case for these rubber caps and the plastic bit they are to stick to.

Epoxy glue (5-minute, preferably) in a very tiny amount might work, or it might not. It will certainly get things set up initially and at least "for a while" but I suspect that the rubber cap will slowly, and over time, come loose because it stretches and deforms during use, but epoxy does not have that capability.

Thus, my favorites for this would be either Shoe Goo or E6000, both of which are glues which set very much like rubber. They have very strong grip on the surfaces joined, and can themselves deform/stretch and spring back into their "original configuration" because that's what they're meant to do. These are the two products I generally use for purposes where a long term, flexible bond is required. I do not know what one would call either one of these generically.

https://eclecticproducts.com/downloads/tds-e6000-industrial-english-clear.pdf

Shoe Goo - Eclectic Products

Both are made by the same company, and I personally like E6000 a bit better because of the way it's packaged and the precision you can get from its tube tip.
 
The problem is when, mind you not if, the mouse stick cap needs to be replaced you don't want to spend hours on it. Might want to look at a very thin double face tape.
 
Peperonix said:
For good, long-standing customer, I simply cannot invoice that.
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Of course you can. If I rent an apartment I have to put up a deposit. Rent a car? You better return it with a full tank of gas or get charged. Your “good” client is costing you extra time and expenses because they can’t take care of your equipment. Recognize when you are being taken advantage of.

Either charge a fee or up your rates to cover the time and costs of cleaning and refurbishing the equipment on return. The time spent gluing the trackpoints back on are costing you money. Not recouping your losses is foolish. Not the to mention the costs of nuke and paving the units and cleaning them up for reuse.
 
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Or just remove it prior to renting if the unit has a standard trackpad. Those things are rubber (I think) or a ruber=ish like material. Rubber doesn't typically glue well especially not in situations like this.

Charge them. Buy replacements. They should respect the machines (and you) more.
 
Off topic, so feel free to ignore. Could you elaborate on your rental business? I've briefly thought about this, but I though the effort in collecting would outweigh the benifits. Also, do you have a way to shut down the OS remotely on machines that don't make it back?
 
ComputerDave said:
Off topic, so feel free to ignore. Could you elaborate on your rental business? I've briefly thought about this, but I though the effort in collecting would outweigh the benifits. Also, do you have a way to shut down the OS remotely on machines that don't make it back?
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I tried the rental path at one time. It's not a profitable enterprise. I posted about it on Technibble but I can't find the post.
Basically it's a very risky business enterprise and I often had clients rent a unit then move to a different city/state or even country, Good luck getting them to pay when you can't locate them!

Also the amount of damaged they caused to the PC's meant that it was costing more than it was worth.
 
How come I've never heard of E6000? I buy 2-part epoxies (slow and fast) by the quart. I have three types of CAs and several types of JB weld. I have a shelf of wood glues (aliphatic resins and PVAs) along with different colored Shoe Goos and a handful of silicon glues. E6000 sounds like great stuff. (...added to shopping list)
 
@Diggs,

If you are already a Shoe Goo user, I am surprised you hadn't already become acquainted with E6000. It is really great stuff where a very strong, but perpetually flexible, bond is needed. It comes in clear and in black (possibly other colors, but I've not seen those).

I am a "by the quart" buyer of 2-part epoxy glues, too, with the 5-minute version being my favorite variety (1-minute's too fast, and slow setting often requires elaborate setups to ensure that nothing moves during setting). The problem with those glues is that they cannot flex, and there are times you've got to have that capability.

I actually prefer E6000 to Shoe Goo because I find it easier to apply and the hold is every bit as good.
 
britechguy said:
@Diggs,

If you are already a Shoe Goo user, I am surprised you hadn't already become acquainted with E6000. It is really great stuff where a very strong, but perpetually flexible, bond is needed. It comes in clear and in black (possibly other colors, but I've not seen those).

I am a "by the quart" buyer of 2-part epoxy glues, too, with the 5-minute version being my favorite variety (1-minute's too fast, and slow setting often requires elaborate setups to ensure that nothing moves during setting). The problem with those glues is that they cannot flex, and there are times you've got to have that capability.

I actually prefer E6000 to Shoe Goo because I find it easier to apply and the hold is every bit as good.
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I have little tubes of 5 min epoxy for when I need a good bond, but I also have a bottle of UV Resin which for some applications works surprisingly well. The UV Resin was cheap, like 100ml for $13 which for what I typically use it for lasts forever.
 
Thank you for your suggestions.

I was not aware about the E6000.
I used SUXUN T-7000, which is a black epoxy glue, because this is what I had it on hand and it is easy to apply.

Wouldn't a better idea be to include a condition in your service agreement/T&C's, that if the trackpad is missing on its return then a surcharge will apply?
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Maybe for a one-time rental of a unique computer.
Not otherwise.

Just source a bunch of spare trackpoints for the brand(s) you rent out.
E.g. 10 x Dell compatible trackpoints for AU$2.40 including shipping (from China).
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I had placed a similar order to replace the lost trackpoints.

As Markverhyden pointed it out:
The problem is when, mind you not if, the mouse stick cap needs to be replaced you don't want to spend hours on it.
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This was exactly my goal: minimize the time spent at ordering and replacing trackpoints.
Hence, now they are glued.

For good, long-standing customer, I simply cannot invoice that.
Click to expand...
Of course you can. If I rent an apartment I have to put up a deposit. Rent a car? You better return it with a full tank of gas or get charged. Your “good” client is costing you extra time and expenses because they can’t take care of your equipment. Recognize when you are being taken advantage of.
Click to expand...
I agree in principle, but totally disagree in this case.
Assume a corporate customer is renting dozens of cars, every year, since 10 years, and pays on time.
One day, a car is returned with an almost invisible scratch. Would you invoice such damage?
I would not.
I prefer staying in excellent terms with such a client, and go on for 10 more years.

Trackpoints are cheap.
So, I justed wanted to reduce the risk the trackpoint being stolen, and the maintenance.
 
Excuse my idiot question. What happens when you glue it down and it needs to be replaced? What happens if you apply too much glue and it goes places it shouldn't? What happens when what happens happens?

30¢ part vs $7 epoxy/glue. One is cheap, easy to reverse, the other is ones desire to control the universe, which is unrelenting in its desire for balance and often strikes back in unprecedented ways.

Just replace the stupid part. I can't believe we are debating this.

This ends my old man "my back hurts today and I'm taking it out on the world" post for the day.
 
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