Loctite on gib screws?

[TroyO]

Will using Loctite thread locker on gib screws work OK? I have green and blue.. the green is actually thread sealant, I think.

I saw the tweaks and enhancements kit for the Mini mill at LMS and that's what got me thinking of it. They have "self locking gib screws" as part of that kit. I'd be happy with the stock screws and having to apply a new drop of Loctite when I re-adjust, if I can get away with it instead of using the locknuts.

A little OT but ... Gizzly has a few interesting tidbits on sale at the moment, pretty nice looking 4" metal handwheels with knob for $5, and M6 adjustable handles.. like the X2 gib locks, but presumably better quality for $1.50

http://www.grizzly.com/outlet/Hand-Wheel-4-/H3471
http://www.grizzly.com/outlet/Adjust...-M6-x-2-/H3464

[knudsen]

You should probably look up the loctite by number on their site and see what it's intended for. Some of the green stuff is permanent (6xx series). All the blue I've seen is removable, but it's easy enough to look up. Heat releases the permanent. A good, cheap light weight thread locker is fingernail polish, applied after the screw is in. Don't ask what I was doing with nail polish goes back to my Navy days...

[packrat]

Loc-tite also makes one that is just for adjustment screws. Make the adjustment then apply around the screw. It uses capillary action to go in around threads .

cary

[SScnc]

.
I saw the tweaks and enhancements kit for the Mini mill at LMS and that's what got me thinking of it. They have "self locking gib screws" as part of that kit.

I hadn't seen that before, LMS kit, good find. Does anyone know where to find just the "Self locking set screws for the X-, Y-, and Z- axis gibs" ? And how do they work ?

SS

Nevermind on the how they work question, I see, a small insert in the threads.

[TroyO]

Yeah, it's a good idea for sure... seems a little spendy for a handfull of hardware though.

On the flip side... I've never seen those self locking set screws like that, even McMaster doesn't seem to have them in that size.

[Fixittt]

int he long run, I dont think a compound of any kind on gib screws is wise. Build up ect can be a night mare to remove. Gib screws need to be adjusted regularly. The best solution I have found is teflon tape on the threads of small set screws. or change out the setscrews with a little longer bolts and put a small nut just under the head of the bolt. Adjust the gib, then use a wrench to lock the nut into place against the saddle.

[TroyO]

The teflon tape sounds like a winner.... the whole point of the loctite was to avoid the locking nuts and make adjusting easier. (So I will do it more often.. LOL.)

[knudsen]

I was thinking TFE tape too, but you just might go bananas getting it wrapped on the itty bitty screws.

[RomanLini]

The right grade of threadlocker will do just what you need, ie hold it in place by still allow it to be turned whenever (just requiring more force).

I regularly use blue locktite 243 for jobs like that, it works well for grubscrews and adjustment screws in the 1/8" to 3/16" range. You only need a spot on the thread there's no need to flood it.

As for the build up being hard to remove, with blue it's easy it sets to hardness similar to dried chewing gum and can be picked or wire brushed off easily. The harder grade locktites can be hard to remove from threads, red is harder but can be picked off with a scriber then run a nut, and green well, it's supposed to be used on things that are never removed (like studs).

[TXFred]

I hadn't seen that before, LMS kit, good find. Does anyone know where to find just the "Self locking set screws for the X-, Y-, and Z- axis gibs" ?

I wrote to LMS a while back with that exact question. Here's the link to the screws.

http://www.littlemachineshop.com/2625

Fred

[SScnc]

I wrote to LMS a while back with that exact question. Here's the link to the screws.

http://www.littlemachineshop.com/2625

Fred

Thanks Fred, I've been searching the net for those, they're hard to find in small quantity.
I appreciate it