Thread lock

[matt1]

I’ve never paid much attention to Threadlock before, but now I have a fancy prop and bowthruster I feel I should pay more attention. The flex o fold instructions just say “blue” “medium strength” but I note at least three types of loctite threadlock that appear to be blue: 242, 243 and “normal” and there seem to be many others made by loctite

What’s the accepted wisdom on prop parts and anodes or am I overthinking it?

 

[stuartwineberg]

Just don’t use strong. It needs significant heat to undo it

 

[VicS]

ITYWF that 243 is the general purpose medium strength one and is an upgraded version of 242
242 is similar but thixotropic which prevents migration during tightening

The blue, medium strength, ones can be undone with hand tools
Red, high strength, ones require heat to release

I suggest you Google for the Tech data sheets

 

[Gumpy]

242 and 243 are both blue 243 is more resitant to oils than 242.
Dont go near the red one 271/272

Blue Threadlocker Basics

 

[vyv_cox]

I use 242 on my anchor swivel and shackles. I immersion tested the product beforehand and found it does not deteriorate under water.

 

[Neil_Y]

We recommend using epoxy (araldite 2011) as thread lock on the rope cutters we supply, it's not as brittle as some and softens with heat which can aid removal as it has quite a low melting point. We also use it to bed and hold composite bearings. You can also thicken it if the weather's warm or you need more of a bedding than a thread lock. You can buy it in 2 x 100ml tubes from adhesive suppliers.

 

[superheat6k]

We use only Loctite brand thread lockers and sealants in my business remanufacturing large industrial grade refrigeration compressors. 243 for medium strength so big end bolts, and other things where a reliable lock is required, but where future undoing is necessary and some oiliness is present. We use the high strength 270 for bolts and nuts we seriously do not want to come undone, and once used these can be a real challenge to undo.

For sealing threads then for the vast majority Loctite 577.

 

[matt1]

Thanks everyone

 

[Caraway]

Interesting. I have 242e Nutlock (blue), 641 Retainer (yellow) and 270 Studlock (green) . I didn't know how permanent the 270 was. I will treat it with caution.

 

[matt1]

Grrr! Having bought some 243 off Amazon it eventually arrived more than 2 weeks later.....from Hong Kong!!! No way am I trusting that on my prop. Looks like I ca get it from Farnell and RS but are there any more mainstream suppliers? Even Halfords only sell the stick version and toolstation just refer to it as “normal” rather than 243

 

[Caraway]

I bought a drive belt recently which took an age to arrive. Amazon inferred that it was a UK supplier.
I bought a belt frome Bearing Shop UK (Kent Bearings). It arrived in a couple of days.
They had a better site for speccing the belt, as well.
Same price when carriage is included.

 

[matt1]

I’m sure it probably said somewhere in the small print but I do wish Amazon would make the origin clearer. I’d never have bought it and I doubt I can return it without proof it’s counterfeit. Hey ho, everyday is a school day

 

[penberth3]

Grrr! Having bought some 243 off Amazon it eventually arrived more than 2 weeks later.....from Hong Kong!!! No way am I trusting that on my prop. Looks like I ca get it from Farnell and RS but are there any more mainstream suppliers? Even Halfords only sell the stick version and toolstation just refer to it as “normal” rather than 243

Surely this is "over the counter" stuff at any local bearing supplies or motor factors?

 

[Mistroma]

Grrr! Having bought some 243 off Amazon it eventually arrived more than 2 weeks later.....from Hong Kong!!! No way am I trusting that on my prop. Looks like I ca get it from Farnell and RS but are there any more mainstream suppliers? Even Halfords only sell the stick version and toolstation just refer to it as “normal” rather than 243

I used to get mine from Toolstation because they sold different grades, good prices and they worked well. I used their high strength one on my anchor swivel and it was impossible to shift without heat when dismantling. Unfortunately, I've noticed that they have a tendency to drop really good products and they now sell the "Normal" Loctite. I guess there's a better profit margin.

 

[Mistroma]

We recommend using epoxy (araldite 2011) as thread lock on the rope cutters we supply, it's not as brittle as some and softens with heat which can aid removal as it has quite a low melting point. We also use it to bed and hold composite bearings. You can also thicken it if the weather's warm or you need more of a bedding than a thread lock. You can buy it in 2 x 100ml tubes from adhesive suppliers.

I think I remember you mentioning using Araldite Rapid on Cutless bearings as it becomes fairly thin with moderate heat. I didn't try it as mine has a well fitting metal shell and grub screws are fine.

 

[matt1]

Thanks everyone - tried euro car parts and others but eventually found some from "Techsil" online

 

[penberth3]

I used to get mine from Toolstation because they sold different grades, good prices and they worked well. I used their high strength one on my anchor swivel and it was impossible to shift without heat when dismantling. Unfortunately, I've noticed that they have a tendency to drop really good products and they now sell the "Normal" Loctite. I guess there's a better profit margin.

I've noticed this - a few of my favourite products aren't there any more. I guess they don't sell enough of some things. I have been lucky with a few items that had dropped out of the catalogue, still a few on the shelf weeks later so it's worth asking. Don't know if I'm dreaming - but I'm sure there was a time when Screwfix sold imperial bolts, Maplin definitely had BA screws!

 

[Mistroma]

I've noticed this - a few of my favourite products aren't there any more. I guess they don't sell enough of some things. I have been lucky with a few items that had dropped out of the catalogue, still a few on the shelf weeks later so it's worth asking. Don't know if I'm dreaming - but I'm sure there was a time when Screwfix sold imperial bolts, Maplin definitely had BA screws!

Another annoying thing with Toolstation is that they keep items I want in their catalogue but never have any stock. I wanted some 92W halogen bulbs more than a year ago but they never had any in stock (delivery or collection). I checked most times I was buying other items. I think that they have finally removed them from their website.

 

[penberth3]

Another annoying thing with Toolstation is that they keep items I want in their catalogue but never have any stock. I wanted some 92W halogen bulbs more than a year ago but they never had any in stock (delivery or collection). I checked most times I was buying other items. I think that they have finally removed them from their website.

I think some of this might be Covid-related problems with imports. I'm noticing gaps and empty shelves in various places.

 

[Mistroma]

I think some of this might be Covid-related problems with imports. I'm noticing gaps and empty shelves in various places.

My fault, it was actually more than a year ago and pre-dated Covid by a couple of months. I've blanked out how long Covid has been going around and should have said November 2019. I think that the last time I bought these would have been 2017/8.