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Busted Tachyon slab screws!!!
- Thread starter 7Cain
- Start date
Gollnick
Musical Director
- Joined
- Mar 22, 1999
- Messages
- 29,258
I tried to disassemble mine, but I just couldn't get those screws to budge at all. I applied torque to the point that I felt that if I went any further, I'd surely break something.
I've been told that there's no thread locking adhesive used, but I don't know how to get screws that tight without it. Tony is quite mechanical and I'm sure he can explain it.
I've been told that there's no thread locking adhesive used, but I don't know how to get screws that tight without it. Tony is quite mechanical and I'm sure he can explain it.
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2001
- Messages
- 294
Here is the e-mail I tried to send Mike however I have not had a response yet. I know he is swamped and I want to be as patient as possible, but since we are all family here I'll give you the story :
> I have a little problem with both of my Tachyons. I think that the screws
> where tightened to such a great tolerance that the head stretched almost
to
> the point of rupture. I have flipped #233 a bit but, #225 stays put in my
> closet and does not get flipped (even though I received both with what
> looked like small manipulation marks I'm totally thrilled with this knife
> and a very happy camper!) Except that I must return these to you for
repair
> or replacement.
>
> You see, I have been on vacation at my parents house and have not review or flip these beautiful pieces of cutlery until the other day. I brought my Tachyon
> #233 with me to the office yesterday as I wish to employ it as my daily carry. I run 8 Internet
> companies so their really is that much time for flipping during work, well, I was
> wrapping things up at the office that evening, walking down the hall, flipping my new knife, being very Happy!
> Then I looked down and saw one of the slab screws working its way out. "No
> big deal" I thought, as I remember reading somewhere on the forums that
they
> did not have locktite on the threads and that someone had already lost one of theirs. I had to wait until I got home to
get
> my little blue box to make adjustments. Upon doing so I noticed that as
soon
> as I felt the screw become snug, it suddenly felt like it was totally
loose
> again, almost like it where stripped! I thought "that shouldn't be
possible"
> so I began to back out the screw to examine it. No Go! It wouldn't catch
the
> thread (so it seemed), then I turned the knife over and the head of the
> screw fell out! EEK! When I put #233 back in it's pouch, plastic bag, and box for return,
I
> pulled out #225 for closer examination. Using only the torx bit between my
> finger tips I checked to see if all of the screws where snug by attempting both
> clockwise and counter clockwise rotation. The first one I went to began to
> spin, and the screw head then fell out, just like the other knife! The rest of them seemed snug but not very tight so I left them alone for fear of repeating the other two screws.
>
> My thought where that maybe the screws where tightend to such great
> tolerances that the screw stretched almost to the point of rupture, time
was
> all it would take before the screw began to weaken to the point where any
> attempt to turn the screw with resistance would snap the head right off because the metal was already beginnig to yeild. It sounds quite logical to me, but these situations are'nt always as logical as they seem. Any ideas from the respected forum members? Or if you are reading Mike, I left a message on the machine and tried to send e-mail but it bounced back to me "undeliverable" (I then went to the site and used sales@wowinc.com) I mean no offence by posting this on the forums and I am upset in no way shape or form (except for the obvious pain of returning two exquisite blades
) But I do wonder if anyone else has experienced a similar problem.
Most Respectfully,
7Cain of Blade Forums
> I have a little problem with both of my Tachyons. I think that the screws
> where tightened to such a great tolerance that the head stretched almost
to
> the point of rupture. I have flipped #233 a bit but, #225 stays put in my
> closet and does not get flipped (even though I received both with what
> looked like small manipulation marks I'm totally thrilled with this knife
> and a very happy camper!) Except that I must return these to you for
repair
> or replacement.
>
> You see, I have been on vacation at my parents house and have not review or flip these beautiful pieces of cutlery until the other day. I brought my Tachyon
> #233 with me to the office yesterday as I wish to employ it as my daily carry. I run 8 Internet
> companies so their really is that much time for flipping during work, well, I was
> wrapping things up at the office that evening, walking down the hall, flipping my new knife, being very Happy!
> Then I looked down and saw one of the slab screws working its way out. "No
> big deal" I thought, as I remember reading somewhere on the forums that
they
> did not have locktite on the threads and that someone had already lost one of theirs. I had to wait until I got home to
get
> my little blue box to make adjustments. Upon doing so I noticed that as
soon
> as I felt the screw become snug, it suddenly felt like it was totally
loose
> again, almost like it where stripped! I thought "that shouldn't be
possible"
> so I began to back out the screw to examine it. No Go! It wouldn't catch
the
> thread (so it seemed), then I turned the knife over and the head of the
> screw fell out! EEK! When I put #233 back in it's pouch, plastic bag, and box for return,
I
> pulled out #225 for closer examination. Using only the torx bit between my
> finger tips I checked to see if all of the screws where snug by attempting both
> clockwise and counter clockwise rotation. The first one I went to began to
> spin, and the screw head then fell out, just like the other knife! The rest of them seemed snug but not very tight so I left them alone for fear of repeating the other two screws.
>
> My thought where that maybe the screws where tightend to such great
> tolerances that the screw stretched almost to the point of rupture, time
was
> all it would take before the screw began to weaken to the point where any
> attempt to turn the screw with resistance would snap the head right off because the metal was already beginnig to yeild. It sounds quite logical to me, but these situations are'nt always as logical as they seem. Any ideas from the respected forum members? Or if you are reading Mike, I left a message on the machine and tried to send e-mail but it bounced back to me "undeliverable" (I then went to the site and used sales@wowinc.com) I mean no offence by posting this on the forums and I am upset in no way shape or form (except for the obvious pain of returning two exquisite blades
) But I do wonder if anyone else has experienced a similar problem.Most Respectfully,
7Cain of Blade Forums
Dawkind
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2000
- Messages
- 13,023
The screws on my Tachyon were loose to the point that they had started to back out on their own during shipment; I carefully tightened them up. I've only tried a couple of latch-drops with the knife since I got it, as not to put any marks on it, but did change the latch from the Manila to Batangas style. From one extreme on the assembly line to the other..........
..........
..........I've been having a heck of a time, just trying to get the latch screw out! It just won't budge. I was going to try and take the pivot screws out, but after hearing the problems you have experienced, I think I'll leave them be. I think they should have designed the pin the screws fasten to in a hexagon shape, that way it wouldn't keep spinning when trying to remove the screw.
Mike
Mike
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2001
- Messages
- 8,276
Thanks for the vote of confidence Chuck, but I'm baffled. Maybe I just lucked out, but all 4 of my Tachyons don't exhibit any these problem. Just to confirm, I took all 4 apart, leaving on the pivot screw, and was able to put them all back in order. No evidence of loctite or thread stripping. I wish I could help. Without the Tachyon in hand it'll be hard to establish the cause. But since we know all the Tachyon's are hand assembled, it could just be someone being a little overzealous with their work.
My #204 has been flipped pretty heavily since I got it over 2 weeks ago, and the screws are fine.
Gollnick
Musical Director
- Joined
- Mar 22, 1999
- Messages
- 29,258
Three new Tachyons arrived at Balisong Collector HQ today. Not a bad day, eh?
On one of the three, all screws came out without undue torque. In fact, a couple of 'em were rather loose to begin with.
On the second, all but one of the pivot screws did come out. But, all required considerable torque to get 'em to break loose. There was, however, no signs of any thread locking adhesive.
On the third, no screws will come out despite what I consider dangerous torque.
Two Batangas latches and one Manila out of the box.
I think that Microtech should invest in some torque-limiting screw drivers.
On one of the three, all screws came out without undue torque. In fact, a couple of 'em were rather loose to begin with.
On the second, all but one of the pivot screws did come out. But, all required considerable torque to get 'em to break loose. There was, however, no signs of any thread locking adhesive.
On the third, no screws will come out despite what I consider dangerous torque.
Two Batangas latches and one Manila out of the box.
I think that Microtech should invest in some torque-limiting screw drivers.
Gollnick
Musical Director
- Joined
- Mar 22, 1999
- Messages
- 29,258
Here's my interesting question: aside from curiosity, why would you want to disassemble the slab screws?
The latch screw is obvious.
The pivot screws? Well, maybe to clean and obviously to replace the blade.
But why disassemble the handle?
The latch screw is obvious.
The pivot screws? Well, maybe to clean and obviously to replace the blade.
But why disassemble the handle?
- Joined
- Mar 19, 1999
- Messages
- 163
Here's an email I received from Microtech:
"Hello,
You'll need a TORX T-10, T-8, and T-6 driver to disassemble the knife. We
do use Loc-Tite on all the screws, but if you're drivers are in good
condition and you are carefull you should be able to remove them.
Best Regards,
The MicroTech Staff"
"Hello,
You'll need a TORX T-10, T-8, and T-6 driver to disassemble the knife. We
do use Loc-Tite on all the screws, but if you're drivers are in good
condition and you are carefull you should be able to remove them.
Best Regards,
The MicroTech Staff"
Gollnick
Musical Director
- Joined
- Mar 22, 1999
- Messages
- 29,258
The color-coding of thread locking adhesives is not required. You can special order thread locking adhesives in any color you want including clear. It would not surprise me at all if MT uses a clear thread locking adhesive so that any excess won't show up as a bright red (or blue or purple) stain on their product.
I, however, would challenge MT's assertion to use thread locking adhesives on all of their screws. Several of the screws on one of mine clearly didn't have any adhesive at all. It took no effort to remove them at all.
My guess is that MT needs to invest in an automatic dispenser to assure that the exact, correct, consistent amount of adhesive gets on each screw.
I, however, would challenge MT's assertion to use thread locking adhesives on all of their screws. Several of the screws on one of mine clearly didn't have any adhesive at all. It took no effort to remove them at all.
My guess is that MT needs to invest in an automatic dispenser to assure that the exact, correct, consistent amount of adhesive gets on each screw.
Gollnick
Musical Director
- Joined
- Mar 22, 1999
- Messages
- 29,258
I've got residue.
Yup. It's the clear stuff alright. I had to look with my 10x loupe, but it's definitely there.
On one of my Tachons, one of the pivot screws came out fairly easily and with consistent resistance as screws typically do. The other pivot screw required considerable torque and then suddenly broke loose with a snap sound and came right out with ease. The first screw looks clean. The second clearly has adhesive residue. The slab screws on that knife all came out easily, some much more so than one might like, and did not have any signs of adhesive residue. The latch screw put up a fight and has residue on it.
So, apparently, the thread locking adhesive is not getting on consistently.
Yup. It's the clear stuff alright. I had to look with my 10x loupe, but it's definitely there.
On one of my Tachons, one of the pivot screws came out fairly easily and with consistent resistance as screws typically do. The other pivot screw required considerable torque and then suddenly broke loose with a snap sound and came right out with ease. The first screw looks clean. The second clearly has adhesive residue. The slab screws on that knife all came out easily, some much more so than one might like, and did not have any signs of adhesive residue. The latch screw put up a fight and has residue on it.
So, apparently, the thread locking adhesive is not getting on consistently.
- Joined
- May 8, 2000
- Messages
- 47
11/01 build date, combo edge: One loose (falling out) slab screw, have not touched the rest of them as it's going back to WOW as I got it in error (should have been plain edge)
12/01 build date, combo edge: Slab screws snug, one needed some more torque, latch screw easily removed for handle swap.
FYI I sharpened the "keeper" and got a hair popping razor edge, nice steel, and seems to hold the edge well.
12/01 build date, combo edge: Slab screws snug, one needed some more torque, latch screw easily removed for handle swap.
FYI I sharpened the "keeper" and got a hair popping razor edge, nice steel, and seems to hold the edge well.
Originally posted by tonyccw
Curiosity got the better of me. Took them all apart. Sonofagun, found it on my and my #204 and #311's pivot screws. White stuff, not much, but white stuff. I'll edit my previous post....
I finally got my latch screw out, after heating the he!! out of it. There was a lot of white loctite on the threads.
Mike
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2001
- Messages
- 294
I had no intentions, nor did I even attempt to disassemble my knife, in fact when it came to making adjustments to the pivot pins I noticed that I could not even budge the safe handle pivot pin, so I left it alone. I figured, it does'nt want to budge with what I consider a great amount of torque, and there is nothing wrong with the way it is now, so it would probably be some time before I would ever need to make any adjustments. Until I noticed one of the little slab screws working it's way out (note: the little slab screw, not the pivot or latch screw) Anyway I used the tip of my finger to get it back in as tight as I could at the office. When I got home I was not sure which screw was the loose one so I used only the bit and shaft from my little blue box to check the tension on all of them and find the loose one. When I found it, I began turning it clockwise to get it as snug as I could with my fingers, as soon as it became snug it freed up again, I was incorrect in thinking the screw was stripped, because when I turned it over the head of the screw fell right out of the hole, without the screw shaft! Meaning the threaded part of the screw is still in there, but the head is no longer attatched. At first I though "This is the weakest screw I've ever had the pain of dealing with! Either that or I've been working out too much (I doubt it is the latter)"
In all I hope with all my being that it is just coincedence that both of my Tachs suffer the same ailment. Perhaps I had the same person build both of mine, he's probably a really buff dude!
When you get the chance, let me know what I should do Mike, thanks again.
Most Respecfully
Meaning the threaded part of the screw is still in there, but the head is no longer attatched. At first I though "This is the weakest screw I've ever had the pain of dealing with! Either that or I've been working out too much (I doubt it is the latter)" In all I hope with all my being that it is just coincedence that both of my Tachs suffer the same ailment. Perhaps I had the same person build both of mine, he's probably a really buff dude!
When you get the chance, let me know what I should do Mike, thanks again.
Most Respecfully