Gummy Stuff For Allen Set Screws In Lieu Of Loctite Blue?

[John Poole]

I have some Allen set screws that are used to level a fence for a shaper. There are four screws that basically tilt a metal bar against another bar that is not necessarily perpendicular to a table. Once I have the fence perpendicular, I want to make sure there is no movement of the set screws.

What do people use to gum-up threads so they are harder to turn or don't loosen by vibration? I know some would use Loctite Blue -- the one you can undo, but there must be some good home-brew remedies. I tire so of resorting to purchasing something that 100 years ago would have been handled by nearby stuff, e.g. chalk, wax, pitch, fine sawdust mixed with something.

[David Hawxhurst]

i've used teflon pipe tape. what i've noticed about the teflon tape is it seems to need some sort of resistance or it will come loose again.

[Bill Neely]

I've used nail polish to lock set screws.

[Shawn Pixley]

Drop of shellac?

[Bruce Page]

Not home brew but we used Vibra-Tite extensively during rocket motor assembly. Rocket motors tend to vibrate during launch.:eek:
Good stuff.

[Chris Parks]

Do these screws get locked down or do they rely on sitting against the pressure of the fence to stay at the setting? If the latter a coil spring under the head will stop them moving. If the former I would be looking at the reason the problem occurs.

[Phil Thien]

+1 on the nail polish. Removable, holds pretty well, cheap.

[Thomas Hotchkin]

John
Mcmaster-Carr has a reusable self locking set screw, take a look here. http://www.mcmaster.com/#set-screws/=rkivmw type in (self locking set screw)
Tom

[Chris Parks]

Set screws in my experience have a shoulder, grub screws do not.

[HANK METZ]

Old timers oftentimes used boiled linseed oil as a removable thread locker.

[Lee Schierer]

I've used fingernail polish, a drop of lacquer or plain old wood glue to secure screws, but Loctite blue or purple works the best.

[John Huds0n]

They sell Loctite Blue in the stick form. Can't spill it and it wont dry out. I have probably had mine for over 10 years now...
http://www.amazon.com/LOCTITE-37643-Medium-Strength-Threadlocker/dp/B0053ZNMDE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1397743083&sr=8-5&keywords=loctite+blue

[Charles Lent]

One short set screw, followed by a second set screw to lock the first one in place. You just have to remember that there are two set screws in the hole or you will have a very rough time getting it off the next time you need to.

Charley

[steven taggart]

+1 I do this all the time. Works great on the doorknobs on the kids rooms. They are rough on them

[Ole Anderson]

Ok, this is a bit crude but works: just booger up the threads a smidge so there is a bit of force needed to screw them in.

[Dave Cullen]

Nail polish, laquer, paint, a dab of hot melt glue... take your pick.

But every workshop needs a small tube of blue Loctite. It's a standard item like WD-40 or masking tape... gotta have some.

[Erik Loza]

+1 for Blue Loctite. Personally, never cared for any of the shellac or varnish-type tricks. Just good ol' Loctite Blue.

Erik Loza
Minimax USA

[fRED mCnEILL]

I have had a small tube of loctite red in my toolbox for over 50 years (non, not the same tube). A 1/2 oz tube is cheap, last a long time, doesn't dry out and is handy to use.

[Chris Padilla]

Loctite Blue and Red in Chapstick form!!! BRILLIANT!! I'll have to stock up!!

[Kent A Bathurst]

....... Loctite blue......

bingo.




1010101010