James Waldby wrote:

On Sat, 17 May 2008 14:01:41 -0400, cj wrote:


greetings, i am planning on making a small table for our deck and i
would like to use a mosaic tile pattern for the table top so i thought
that i would make a pan out of 16 ga., turn it up side down and tack it
to the inside of the table frame, therefore giving me a flat surface to
put the tile in, and keep it flush with the top of the frame. now i am
wondering what kind of adhesive would work best to affix the tile(3/4
inch tiles sheets with a mesh backing) to the 16 ga. the frame will be
made if 3/4 square tubing that i will have powdercoated


Make the pan or recess deep enough to allow a layer of Hardibacker
(or similar cement board) under the tile. Then you can use thinset
on the tile side and silicone (as garigue suggested) or some other
adhesive on the metal side.

Cement board is available 1/4, 3/8, or 1/2" thick.
1/2" 3'x5' costs about $10.

-jiw

thanks for the suggestion james. so,the hardibacker board will affix
well to the 16 ga. with just an off the shelf tube of silicon? also,
would the powdercoat surface be to smooth(or undesirable) for the
silicone to stick to?
cj