Blue Locktite

[153]

A while back I asked about what members here use to keep the screws from backing out of their Ruger Revolvers.....

Years ago I had Colt Single Actions that had red "gut" washers around all the screws to keep them tight. More recently I have tried cleaning the screws and applying my wife and daughter's nail polish.

I like the idea of rubber "0" rings - but can't find them small enough for the Ruger screws.

Blue locktite was recommended here. But the only type I have used is the RED type. Does the BLUE allow you to easily remove/replace the screws, and do you have to reapply it every time you break down the revolver?

THANKS!

 

[Snake45]

Blue is what you want. Red is darn near permanent and you don't want to use that on something you take apart regularly.

I believe you have to re-apply it but it's no big deal. A little bottle of it will last you a lifetime.

I've used it on three or four "frisky" screws and the stuff has always worked exactly as advertised for me.

 

[maxpress]

Look in the yellow pages for a hobbie shop that sells model railroad or remote airplanes for the washers.
Not red locktite

 

[Dale53]

It IS important when using Blue Loc-Tite to clean the screws before using. I use denatured alcohol for that purpose (I try to clean both the screws and the threads in the hole). This insures that the loc-tite will set up properly.

Use the loc-tite sparingly. I am careful to never let loc-tite get between a screw head and the area it is securing. That can lead to drilling a screw out. You ONLY want the loc-tite on the threads - nothing else.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[Bisley Bud]

Not Red, not blue. both are too strong. Use purple. Loctite #222 special formula for fasteners under 1/4" Thoroughly degrease both fastener and the hole. This product is an anaerobic sealant, meaning it cures in the absence of air. When you purchase a bottle notice it is half full. If it were full, it would cure in the container.

 

[eddieb]

Not Red, not blue. both are too strong. Use purple. Loctite #222 special formula for fasteners under 1/4" Thoroughly degrease both fastener and the hole. This product is an anaerobic sealant, meaning it cures in the absence of air. When you purchase a bottle notice it is half full. If it were full, it would cure in the container.

+1 The purple is the way to go for the small gun screws. I wasn't able to find any locally, but picked some up at Midway when I was ordering other goodies.

 

[MCPO]

+1 on Purple especially for grip screws.

IF you asbsolutely must use blue, apply a sm drop to the thread area, let it dry, then install the screws.

Purple is hard to find but well worth the hunt.

Have also heard of using a piece of card stock, punching out a piece with a hole punch and then cutting a sm X and inserting the screw.

Same procedure but use thin piece of rubber vs card stock.

 

[Dale53]

I neglected to mention another option. Use shellac. It absolutely stops screws from loosening and NEVER locks a screw in too tight for loosening. It is cheap and available where ever paint is sold.

Shellac is the old timers "Loc-Tite" and in some respects is better.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[Anonymous]

If you have a screw that you can't remove that has been secured with Locktite, apply a little heat to the screw and when it gets to around 400 degrees, it will soften it up enough that you can back it out.

Careful application of the heat source will get the screw out without damaging the bluing on the gun. 8)

 

[CraigC]

Purple 222 is actually the right type to use on small gun screws but Blue 242 works just fine.

 

[153]

I'll look for the blue and purple locktite next time I head over to the hardware store.

I like the idea of finding the "o" rings at a hobby shop - but these days think I'll have more luck running around town looking for an elephant! Haven't seen a real "hobby shop" in years. Heck only two gunshops in this town!

I have lots of shellac, and that too sounds interesting!

Thanks for all the options!!!

 

[maxpress]

If you have the patients you can make a washer out of a rubber band.

 

[flyguy958]

I like the Locktite 248. Not as messy and easy to control how much you apply. McMaster Carr has a good selection.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#loctite-quickstix%E2%84%A2-adhesives/=8srtld

 

[DogBone]

A few years ago we went through a "Loctite seminar" at work (one of my various "hats" is an industrial electrician).

I would not use loctite red on anything on firearm maintenance. Think of this as very permanent, more for press fit parts and studs.

Loctite blue is the go to stuff for general purpose use. Just clean and degrease the threads on both the screw and in the hole, and apply sparingly to the threads. It can be reused many times, and if and when you notice it getting thin and wearing off, simply touch up the threads with fresh loctite.

Loctite purple is indeed great for the smaller fasteners, but it is also more expensive and harder to find.

Avoid loctite green for any firearms maintenance as well. It is designed for fasteners already in place to wick between the threads. Needless to say, using this on your beloved and well maintained firearm is an invitation to get threadlocker in places you simply do not want it to be.

And just FYI because I thought it was interesting myself: Loctite is indeed anaerobic. It hardenes in absence of air, and becomes a solid bond between the threads. After this happens, vibration or any attempt to move or unscrew the fastener literally "shatters" the loctite bond forming millions of shards that bite and dig into the metal and each other.

This is how loctite "locks", and why it is okay to simply add a little fresh loctite now and then to fasteners that are routinely removed for maintenance.

 

[153]

And just FYI because I thought it was interesting myself: Loctite is indeed anaerobic. It hardenes in absence of air, and becomes a solid bond between the threads. After this happens, vibration or any attempt to move or unscrew the fastener literally "shatters" the loctite bond forming millions of shards that bite and dig into the metal and each other.

Too bad locktite can't be used in jails - sounds like a dandy way to imobilize rowdy inmates! :wink:

 

[TiteGroups]

I use a lot of red loctite on bolts that get removed, not nearly as permanent as one would assume by reading the label.

 

[Anonymous]

NAPA carries all Permatex/Loctite products. Blue and red are the most common, but the others including the self wicking green are available.

 

[Belt Fed]

I neglected to mention another option. Use shellac. It absolutely stops screws from loosening and NEVER locks a screw in too tight for loosening. It is cheap and available where ever paint is sold.

Shellac is the old timers "Loc-Tite" and in some respects is better.

FWIW
Dale53

Shellac works a lot like fingernail polish. It will hold the screw tight but will break loose with a screw driver.

 

[arrowhd]

I've used Blue Locktite on several gun projects like installing a scope. Works well but doesn't take much at all. I believe I bought it at Lowe's.

 

[mattsbox99]

I use a lot of red loctite on bolts that get removed, not nearly as permanent as one would assume by reading the label.

You are probably using heat to break the bond and let the magic smoke out.

I've seen a mechanic break a brand new Snap On 1/2" impact wrench hammering away at a spring hanger bolt with Red on it. A little heat really softened the rest up and they came off easily.

I'm lucky I don't have to play with that stuff anymore, all I use now are lock washers and rubber gaskets around gas line fittings.

 

[berettapistols]

Loctite 242 is also now available on a roll similar to teflon tape.
I haven't used it yet but it looks very nice.
They call it Loctite Quicktape 249, Here's a link..
http://web.applied.com/base.cfm?page_id=4688
There's a Video & you can order a FREE Sample too..