You can solder to steel, even with tin/lead. What you need is more/better
flux.

You may wish to poke around Keystone's catalog. http://www.keyelco.com/
Perhaps their 211 battery springs could be of use. Usually screwed/riveted
down, it's nickel plated so you should be able to solder them easily
enough.

If you really want to glue/tape it, there are other options. Google
"Adhesive transfer tape" or "glue-on-a-roll". Several varieties available
thinner than a sheet of paper. Or you could even use liquid glue, perhaps
CA/super glue.

If you want springy non-steel, look for a 510 Bronze alloy. Also called
Phosphor bronze, commonly used for electrical terminals and springs.

And just to add to your options, I have a prototype on my desk that I
needed some binding posts.... Ended up soldering down some #6 brass screws
head down on the board.


Good luck,
-Denny



On Tue, Jun 11, 2013 at 4:38 PM, Neil <picdude3@narwani.org> wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I need to attach a PCB to a textured plastic panel without any visible
> fasteners in the front.  The only double-sided tape I can find that
> would handle the temps (say up to 200 deg-F) has a noticeable
> thickness, so leaves a gap that takes away from an otherwise clean
> appearance.
>
> The PCB is a just a couple touch-pads and will have a thin vinyl decal
> over it, though which even PEMS-type studs would show.  Ideally, I'm
> looking for some type of screw stud that I can solder onto a pad on
> the back of the PCB, or perhaps some thin springy piece of metal that
> would easily accept solder, which I can bend to into a clip of some
> type.
>
> The only springy metal I know is spring steel and quite sure it's not
> solderable -- at least not with they usual 63/37 or 60/40 stuff.  I
> need to do about 100 of these for now, so I'm ideally looking for
> something off-the shelf.  Any clues to workable materials, or perhaps
> a solder that would adhere to spring steel?
>
> Cheers,
> -Neil.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
> View/change your membership options at
> http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist
>
--=20
http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist
.