Re: Loose Handle on K3

[Dan]

Any screw can come loose at any time. Sooo, whenever I put together any screw or bolt that I do not expect to take apart routinely, I use Loctite or fingernail polish to 'lock' it in place. When I built the K3 (#4515), I used that on a few screws/nuts, specifically, the handle, the feet, the support bail and the ANT1 and ANT2 hold down screws/nuts. I wouldn't go out of my way to use the stuff, but if you have any problem, just use that.

Best way is to put a drop on the threads INSIDE the nut and then attach it and tighten it, then place a drop on the exposed screw/bolt threads. If you are concerned about electrical connection, then only place it on the exposed screw/bolt threads after tightening it. For the handle, feet and bail, electrical connectivity are not a concern and you will never expect to need to remove these items. IF you DO need to remove them, they can be removed with only a moderate amount of extra effort and it does NOT destroy the threads.

To be thorough, there are two different types of Loctite. The usual is designed as described above and is essentially fingernail polish. The other type is a much stronger type for where a near permenant bond is required. This may destroy the nut/bolt if removed, altho some (epoxy) types are designed to be removeable after heating to 400 degrees.

Dan NM3A



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[W8JI]

> Any screw can come loose at any time.

I hope not. The world would fall apart as we know it.

Locking compounds are never necessary to lock with the correct hardware and
materials. That's why wheel lug nuts stay tight even when threads are
greased, and why oil soaked engine and transmission bolts stay tight even
when spun, stressed, and vibrated.

When a small screw comes loose it is because of a material problem (like
selection of the wrong locking hardware) or tightening error. Locking
compounds make up for other mistakes or shortfalls like too tight or too
loose or bad hardware. If we can't fix the real problem, then we should use
them.

73 Tom

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[AC7AC]

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[w0mu]

  Nylock nuts are a possible solution as well.  Maybe not in the K3 but
I use them more and more especially on antennas where there are
vibrations etc.

Mike W0MU

On 8/23/2010 9:55 AM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:

> Sometimes a locking compound is simply the most practical solution. Most of
> the electronics equipment used in WWII had either locking compound on the
> screws, safety wires in the nuts, or both. Any OT who has pulled apart a
> WWII ARC-5 was greeted with a sea of little red spots on every fastener
> inside!
>
> There are times when the extra margin of safety is worth the effort. A dab
> of nail polish is a benign and effective way to add that extra protection
> that easily crumbles and falls off when the screw is removed. OTOH, I avoid
> locking compounds such as Loc-Tite. That stuff slowly dissolves many
> plastics, entirely destroying whatever it touches over a period of weeks and
> months.
>
> I've not had a K3 handle screw come loose, but the design is such that you
> do *not* want to over-tighten the hardware. That will compress the handle
> covers so they squeeze against the handle strap and prevent it from moving
> to lie flat against the side of the K3 when it's not in use.
>
> Ron AC7AC
>
> -----Original Message-----
> I hope not. The world would fall apart as we know it.
>
> Locking compounds are never necessary to lock with the correct hardware and
> materials. That's why wheel lug nuts stay tight even when threads are
> greased, and why oil soaked engine and transmission bolts stay tight even
> when spun, stressed, and vibrated.
>
> When a small screw comes loose it is because of a material problem (like
> selection of the wrong locking hardware) or tightening error. Locking
> compounds make up for other mistakes or shortfalls like too tight or too
> loose or bad hardware. If we can't fix the real problem, then we should use
> them.
>
> 73 Tom
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

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