Thread: I have several screws loose...

My HM50 is shocking for that. Mostly the handwheel handles, quill feed handles etc. These can be locktighted....But the same thing with the main x axis dial and the fine quill feed dial. I put a small delrin pad in the end of the quill feed dial thumbscrew and it seems to work well, just enough give to apply some pressure on the threads i guess. There is nothing i can do with the x axis (right side) dial, it is held by a threaded ring on the outside of it, not a thumbscrew.

Hello Michael,

Whilst it's easy to suggest additional work for someone else, how about making new knurled screws long enough to accommodate a knurled locking "nut". Interestingly, nothing has shaken loose on the 13. The feed dials are all spring loaded, they stay in place even without being locked.

BT

Originally Posted by Michael G

One thing that does annoy me is that when taking an interupted cut or machining something that vibrates several of the threaded fasteners that are only hand tight (knurled knobs and the like) start working loose. Very annoying if it is a screw holding a graduated scale in position.
Has anyone found a solution for this?

I use Blue Loctite, on some of the adjustable bolts on my chain sawmill.

Michael Loctite did make a product for things like carburetor screws, screws that need to be adjusted and yet locked from vibrating out of adjustment, I had the name "wick in" on my mind and this product would stay semi soft, I had a look but all I could find was "super wick in" and it doesn't look like the same product. You need something that stays soft, you could try teflon tape.

john

Go with the lock nuts, best long term solution

I've not heard of locktight like that John, I'll have to look into some.

The other thought that occurs to me is if you can't put a nylon pin through the screw, then put it across one edge of the threaded hole.

Hi Michael,

A lot of the sealers and screw retaining compounds used in the aviation industry stay soft and workable. Assume this is because of their maintenance schedule that requires aircraft engines to be inspected and rebuilt at regular intervals.

I often use Permatex aviation Forma gasket N0.3 for gaskets as it sets but stays reasonably soft and easy to remove the mating parts if necessary. A small dap of this or a similar product may work for your situation as a bolt/nut retainer.

Cheers,

Simon

I use the locktite pipe thread sealer in the lipstick tube dispenser. It does what you want, and in my case I no longer use teflon tape. Which is reason enough to get some.

Greg

I assume these adjustment screws just go down and push onto something metal to metal.

Try putting something compliant underneath them. Little brass plugs turned to the tapping drill size is common.

I make little round plugs made out of a large nylon cable tie. I just cut then with side nippers, probably more octagon than round, but that works.

Here in the shop, I have a length of 1/8" lead wire. I cut 3 or 4 mm's of that, drop it in the hole, and deform it in with a nicely fitted pin punch. It will still slide or unlock when you back the adjustment screw off.

Regards Phil.

A number of these adjustment screws have a little slug of brass in the bottom - probably hard brass, so perhaps I may have to try something softer.
The loctite lipstick that Greg uses has me intrigued though - what colours does it come in? (What's your favourite shade Greg?)

Michael

I favour a light plum shade but some think that its a bit too heavy for the summer months. I might try a pink frost when next I am haunting the Loctite counter in Myer's cosmetic section.

Hi Greg,

That pink lippy will go well with your little pink toto. What a sight, beggers belief. When's the coffee pot on next?

Kennearth

Originally Posted by shedhappens

Michael Loctite did make a product for things like carburetor screws, screws that need to be adjusted and yet locked from vibrating out of adjustment, I had the name "wick in" on my mind and this product would stay semi soft, I had a look but all I could find was "super wick in" and it doesn't look like the same product. You need something that stays soft, you could try teflon tape.

john

The wick in type sets hard. It is designed to "wick in" to cracks for sealing purposes. I have used 290 I think, to seal a crack in a chainsaw fuel tank. It worked.

Dean

In the plumbing isle at Bunnys, next to or in the direct vacinity you will find a small red squezy bottle similar to a locktight bottle slightly larger with a yellow cap. It is a thread sealer for gas and water pipe. It is a replacement for teflon tape, I now use it exclusivaly for air,water,coolant,oxy acet,argon.. Well you name it.... But it stays s oft(flexable)and is very price acceptable at around $7. Just a thought
matt