Tag Archives: thread locker

What is the most important component in applying thread locker?

First things first, all of our scope mount screws require thread locker to keep them tight. Due to the vibration most screws will come loose if thread locker is not applied properly. There are many amateurs out there that say thread locker is not necessary, they are wrong.

The most important component of applying thread locker? The screw threads and the threaded hole they are being screwed into must be thoroughly cleaned and degreased. If there is any oil residue on the threads the thread locker will not adhere to the threads and the screw will come loose. If you have a screw come loose it is because the thread locking procedure was not done correctly. Here is the correct procedure in thread locking screws.

CLEAN SCREWS AND INTERNALLY THREADED HOLES WITH AEROSOL CARBURETOR OR BRAKE CLEANER

Spray clean each screw and each threaded hole with the aerosol burst. This will generally clean any oil and remove debris. I get emails with people telling me they used alcohol to clean their parts but the screws still came loose. That is correct, alcohol is not a great degreaser and generally does not come in an aerosol can. The degreasing and washing action is what we are looking for.

BLOW OFF THE SCREW THREADS AND THREADED HOLES WITH COMPRESSED AIR

Using compressed air blow dry each screw and threaded hole. This removes the solvent and any remaining debris. This gives the thread lock a clean oil free surface to bond to so the screws can’t come loose.

APPLY THREAD LOCKER TO THE SCREW AND THREADED HOLE

I apply a dab of thread locker to the say the first 4 threads of the screw and a dab in the threaded hole. This gives you a better chance of 100% thread to thread locker contact which creates a tighter bond. Always remove excess thread locker from around the holes. As a side note we recommend Blue, service removable or small part thread locker. This does not require heat to remove the screws.

TIGHTEN AND OR TORQUE THE SCREWS DOWN

Using a quality Allen or TORX wrench tighten the screws down as necessary and allow the thread locker to cure for a few hours.

If you have a screw come loose you have missed one of the above steps, it is not the scope mounts fault. After 30 some odd years of designing, manufacturing and installing our mounts and rings a properly thread locked screw will not come loose.

Using Thread Locker

Using Thread Locker on Scope Mounting Screws,

Thread locker should be used on ALL scope mount attaching screws. Screws not thread locked will come loose eventually.

I know many of you already know how to use thread locker but for those of you that do not, please read carefully.

We will discuss small screws such as #6 and #8 screws. Generally scope mounts and items like that use these size screws for mounting. Much of this applies to most any size screw.

The enemy of thread locker is oil. Any oil on the screw or in the threaded hole decreases the strength of the thread locker. It interferes with the curing of the locker and decreases it’s strength. I use simple carburetor cleaner on both the screw and the threaded hole. I squirt both surfaces with the carb cleaner and then compressed air dry each. When the surface is clean it will look dull. Shiny generally means oily.

For the size screws we are talking about I use small screw thread locker. It can also be called service removable. It is generally blue or a sort of pink in color. You can use the permanent red thread locker if you like but it is a little more difficult to remove the screw afterwords.

To remove a small screw that has been permanent thread locked (Red) just apply heat to the screw itself. I generally do this with a soldering iron or a small butane torch. Apply the heat slowly so you don’t discolor the item being held by the screw. Here is the trick. As you apply heat you will smell a sweet aroma, that is when the thread locker has been melted and is ready for removal. Remove the screw as quickly as possible so the locker does not try to bond again.

Back to our applying thread locker to a small screw. I apply a small amount to the screw then the threaded hole. Taking just the screw, I run it in and out of the threaded hole to get the thread locker evenly distributed between the threads of the screw and the threads in the hole. You are now ready to mount whatever it is that you are trying to mount.

Generally thread locker drys in an hour or so. If it has not dried in that time period it is possible that the surfaces were not cleaned sufficiently and you would need to repeat the above process.

Always check to be sure you have not dripped thread locker into your receiver, barrel or other such places, it can cause huge problems. You can use carb cleaner to wash off excess thread locker.

We offer Thread Locker on every one of our scope mount application pages. Click teh following link and select your firearm from the list. You will find a shopping cart button for thread locker.

http://www.jackweigand.com/scope.html