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NC Wayne
02-18-2007 16:22:24
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Re: Locktight in reply to Stumpalump, 02-18-2007 15:49:18
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It depends on what your doing as to which Loctite you use. The green (608 isreal common) is actually listed as "retaining compound" and is usually used around bearing races to keep them tight in a bore. If used right and allowed to dry properly it can tighten up a loose bearing and keep it tight. The red ones are typically used on bolts that you don't actually plan to take back out but might have to. It will usually release enough to back a bolt out, with added effort, but actually needs to be heated to properly release. The blue ones are designed to lock a bolt that you do plan to take back out. It increases the likelihood of the bolt backing out on it's own but doesn't lock it quite as tight as the red. They also make a green one that is a "wicking grade" that is designed to be applied after the fastener is together. There are various different numbers (272, 274, 608, etc etc) used in each color of the Loctite and each has it's own use though they can overlap. Overall they are an anarobic compounds that when applied to a fastener, bearing, etc fill the voids left between the threads, bearing and bore, etc. After filling the voids they bond to each part and harden. This bonding, along with the filling of the gaps, helps keep the fastener or whatever in place by decreasing the tendency of the parts to slip against each other and loosen. Now I'm no scientist and I know there is more to it than this but that's how it was explained to me, and though a basic description, is how it works. As far as the "generics", Loctite, Devcon, and several others all make thread locking compounds and though one might be a little more expensive than the other, I have yet to find any of it cheap. The main thing is no matter what kind you use make sure the parts are CLEAN. Think about it, when a bolt is screwed into a hole the only place for the locker to go is in gaps left between the threads which are gonna be nearly microscopic so unless it's a big bolt, a drop or two will sufice on most bolts. In that case even a small bottle will last a long time for most people. Hope this helps some.
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