It's generally true that Loctite works, but some cautions. Most Loctite
sets when deprived of oxygen and exposed to iron, although there are
versions for other metals but not likely found at your hardware store.
Their little bottles are oxygen permeable. I learned this at a Loctite
seminar, go if you can find one.
Surfaces need to be clean, the opposite of what is desirable for
structural fasteners that should be lubricated. A325 5/8" hot dip
galvanized structural bolts I've bought for Rohn 65 tower leg flanges
have had a blue wax coating. So they are "1 for 3" (no O2 is ok, no
exposed Fe not ok, not clean not ok) re using Loctite. Hence these bolts
got NordLocks. Thru leg bolts in shear such as R25/45 don't have the
axial stress cycling of flange leg towers, so most any nut that doesn't
fall off is fine.
If there is a question about Loctite setting up, apply the Activator
before assembly. All grades are in my shop and used.
Another place I use Nordlocks is for rotator base bolts. Since aluminum
has about 2x the expansion per degree F as steel (alloys and temper make
big differences), there is temperature cycling of the bolt load. It is
also the case that I don't want to mess with Loctited bolts when on the
tower, but with the cautions, it works. Used rotators I've bought always
seem to have roughed up base threads, and a Helicoil insert is the
ultimate fix, since they are stronger than the raw aluminum threads.
Nylocks everywhere else.
Grant KZ1W
On 7/26/2016 21:33 PM, Jim Thomson wrote:
Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2016 15:52:16 -0400
From: "Roger (K8RI) on TT" <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net>
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Lockwasher Comparison
For you, or us on a small scale (and time to make sure the bolts are
clean), it may be, but apparently for industry, it's not.
73
Roger (K8RI)
## say what ? Blue loctite is used all the time in the automotive and race
car world. Put blue
loctite on the 6 x .375 SS bolts that hold an OR-2800 rotor to the rotor
plate...and you wont be
having bolts coming loose anytime soon. I used blue loctite in loads of
places on my Roush mustang,
nothing comes loose... including the new one piece AL driveshaft..which spins
at 6500 rpm.
Plenty of local folks here in town also use Red loctite for automotive
applications.
Purple loctite is weaker than blue loctite, and is another alternative. Red is
the strongest.
## I would not use red loctite for small stuff like machine screw size....
otherwise you will never get em out, they will
be as good as welded into place.
## UST uses nylocks for all 22 pulleys used on my HDX-689. Non of them
loosen up. Between nylocks and
blue / purple loctite, you are covered.
Jim VE7RF
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
|