How many of you use lock washers?
I worked in a large Aluminum Processing plant and in some departments we used lock washers and in other departments we used none.
All the machinist went to a company paid schooling about the use of lock washers and during the meeting we were asked if we had any comments.
I was the only one to make a comment out of about fifty participants.
I made the statement that the circumstances determine whether a lock washer is recommended.
I personally do not use any lock washers on any of my equipment because if it is torqued down correctly and the clearance hole is the right size, a lock washer is not unnecessary.
This got a huge response both from the schooling instructor and the participants.
I further made the comment that I only used a LW when a gasket is involved and the bolts can't be torqued.
How many LW have you seen inside an engine??
Lets say that you are attaching the hitch pins to a three point disk and you use LWs, If the washer breaks, it will fall out and you have a loose bolt.
It should also be noted that the instructor agreed with me that a lock washer should not be used again after removal because the sharp edge that cuts into the surface will, in most cases, become dull after removal.
I am not trying to start an argument just wanting some opinions.
I worked in a large Aluminum Processing plant and in some departments we used lock washers and in other departments we used none.
All the machinist went to a company paid schooling about the use of lock washers and during the meeting we were asked if we had any comments.
I was the only one to make a comment out of about fifty participants.
I made the statement that the circumstances determine whether a lock washer is recommended.
I personally do not use any lock washers on any of my equipment because if it is torqued down correctly and the clearance hole is the right size, a lock washer is not unnecessary.
This got a huge response both from the schooling instructor and the participants.
I further made the comment that I only used a LW when a gasket is involved and the bolts can't be torqued.
How many LW have you seen inside an engine??
Lets say that you are attaching the hitch pins to a three point disk and you use LWs, If the washer breaks, it will fall out and you have a loose bolt.
It should also be noted that the instructor agreed with me that a lock washer should not be used again after removal because the sharp edge that cuts into the surface will, in most cases, become dull after removal.
I am not trying to start an argument just wanting some opinions.