[TowerTalk] Lockwasher Comparison

[Grant Saviers]

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 at tm.net>
> To: towertalk at 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
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