No, not referring to any posters here.
Or maybe I am .. 😉
Just wondering what folks use to prevent machined screws in range pole bubble vials and the like from working loose. I'd adjusted the bubble on a range pole last week after it had gone out and the next day two of three screws I'd torqued had worked themselves loose and fallen out . I've been using Loctite in the past, applying a tiny drop to the screw before re-inserting, but it does cause the screws to sometimes get a little overly tight which can lead to stripping. Wondering if anyone has a better solution to the problem.
Loctite No.1 gets hard as a rock after a while. Loctite No.2 is the non-hardening version of the venerable sealant. Get a tube of No.2 and see if it doesn't work a little better.
I use to use white Elmer's glue on my plumb bob points, just a drop, but then they have the hole through them to help you get them out, this was before Loctite. I found the glue worked well keeping the points from unscrewing but did not make it hard to remove them.
You might try some teflon plumbers tape to wedge the screws in a little.
T.W.
Fingernail polish works.
EDIT: I usually put it around the head, but not in the portion that accepts the allen head.
Loctite loosens with heat.
I fill the hole around each of the screws with melted candle wax, easy to scape out or adjust later, then just add more melted wax. Keeps them there really well and costs nothing .
pdop 1.0, post: 329305, member: 459 wrote: I fill the hole around each of the screws with melted candle wax, easy to scape out or adjust later, then just add more melted wax. Keeps them there really well and costs nothing .
Seems like that would just melt out or soften if the rod was left sitting in the sun?
Do you use special wax?
Orange High heat silicone. It never hardens hard, Always seals the water out. And, it breaks easily, when torque is applied. It goes on plumb bob points, it goes on lots of things. It goes on water pump bolts. It is the wonder bolt lock.
Nate
imaudigger, post: 329308, member: 7286 wrote: Seems like that would just melt out or soften if the rod was left sitting in the sun?
Do you use special wax?
Nope just use normal candle wax, we had a 43 deg C day earlier this year and wax never melted , but I'm sure that must be its lower limit . Try it , you may be impressed , I'm happy with it.
I like the wax idea. Going to give that a try. Overly hot conditions are a rarity around here outside of my sauna.
Williwaw, post: 329559, member: 7066 wrote: I like the wax idea. Going to give that a try. Overly hot conditions are a rarity around here outside of my sauna.
Wax is volatile and will evaporate in time. Quite a lot of time, to be sure.
Tom Wilson, post: 329263, member: 247 wrote: I use to use white Elmer's glue on my plumb bob points, just a drop, but then they have the hole through them to help you get them out, this was before Loctite. I found the glue worked well keeping the points from unscrewing but did not make it hard to remove them.
You might try some teflon plumbers tape to wedge the screws in a little.
T.W.
Ditto on the Teflon Plumber's tape for keeping pole and bipod tips from vibrating out.
