Sector plate - attaching aluminium channel to non-metal base

[dpgibbons]

For an O gauge single-road sector plate, I'm planning to use two lengths of 50mm x 3mm aluminium channel for the rails/sides, mounted on a 4mm non-metal base (mdf/ply/acrylic). What's the best method to attach the channels to the base please? Glue and/or short screws might not be secure enough. The bottom of the base needs to be flush as it will slide directly on the baseboard top.

Edited April 14, 2021 by dpgibbons

[peach james]

What about countersunk screws of something like 4-5mm diameter?  You'd want to countersink not more than 1/2 the acrylic/ect, but it should be secure enough.  Thread them into the aluminum, or use nuts on the top of the ally to hold the assembly together (& then locktite them).  

[Siberian Snooper]

I used short brass screws and ground off what was sticking out of the bottom. Sorry no phot, as it's in our locked down clubroom

 

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[ikcdab]

3 hours ago, peach james said:

What about countersunk screws of something like 4-5mm diameter?  You'd want to countersink not more than 1/2 the acrylic/ect, but it should be secure enough.  Thread them into the aluminum, or use nuts on the top of the ally to hold the assembly together (& then locktite them).  

Totally agree. Just use nuts and bolts inserted from the bottom, countersunk in.

[dasatcopthorne]

My Sector plate is Ali angle on 3mm ply.

 

I didn't want any nuts on top of the ali so used counter sunk bolts from underneath and screwed into tapped holes in the angle.

 

Dave

Edited April 15, 2021 by dasatcopthorne