how do i remove loktite?

[Legenda]

Ok. so i have a knife that has so much locktite on the screws that i dont think i can get them out without stripping them, is there a way to get the locktite off at least to where i can unscrew the screws?

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

If it's the BLUE stuff (242), I think the manufacturer recommends heating it a bit, to loosen it up. Need to be careful, but I think some have used a match/lighter for that purpose. A safer way might be to heat the tip of your driver with a lighter/match, then apply the driver to the screw head. Give it a few seconds to warm up the screw, and twist (VERY CAREFULLY).

Here's what they recommend (quoted from this site: http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/t_lkr_blue/directions/Loctite-Threadlocker-Blue-242.htm )

"For disassembly, shear with standard hand tools and remove with methylene chloride. In rare instances where hand tools do not work because of excessive engagement length, apply localized heat to nut or bolt to approximately 482°F (250°C). Disassemble while hot."

 

[Triton]

I think I read that nail polish remover dissolves the stuff, but how you would apply that to the threads of a screw that is screwed down I have no idea...

 

[nick425]

I use a heat gun. I worked with Loctite 271 for years at work and was constantly removing screws. Heat is the most effective way of removing screws that have Loctite on them.

 

[Orion's Belt]

You can dip the knife in boiling water for a second or two. Don't dip the whole knife, just the area with the offending screw, one at a time.

 

[pwet]

I use a heat gun. I worked with Loctite 271 for years at work and was constantly removing screws. Heat is the most effective way of removing screws that have Loctite on them.

i havent used a heat gun for years but if my memory serves me well it makes quite a lot of heat in a quite wide area. doesn't it damage the scales around the screw ?

 

[Ben Dover]

I use my wife's hairdryer!

 

[dslteck]

I have used a soldering with success on smaller screws.....

 

[drail]

Soldering iron is best. Hold it on the screw head for no more than 5 to 10 seconds and remove. The most important thing is to use a screwdriver or bit that fits the screw precisely. Be careful using solvents as some scale materials will be damaged by stuff like acetone. Heat has always made Loctite let go for me.

 

[nick425]

i havent used a heat gun for years but if my memory serves me well it makes quite a lot of heat in a quite wide area. doesn't it damage the scales around the screw ?

I have a tip for it that has a very small diameter hole.

 

[Arakiel]

Yep, soldering iron/gun.

 

[Miketbass]

I have never had to remove Loctite in this fashion, however I do appreciate how the temp. is spec'd out for it. I have a Weller digital soldering station that allows me to set temp, so if I had to remove screws I would use that and a conical tip (go slightly higher temp of course but the tip making good contact is key) . I think that a heat gun - unless it was one of the more expensive industrial ones - would be too hot over too wide an area. And get out of control hot, which is a much larger issue. I would use boiling water or hell, even a low temp oven over a heat gun. I use my heat gun primarily for shrink tube and while it's a cheapie it does get hot as all get out. And over at least a 2" area.
I think that even a cheap 25W Weller pencil soldering iron would be miles ahead of other methods. A few seconds with that and a good fitting torx driver should be all you need. Last I checked, the orange Weller pencil iron was was under $20 at Home Depot and I'm sure you can find it nearly anywhere that would have equipment like that. And hey, it's a good tool to have in your arsenal.

 

[stoffi]

I second the soldering iron. You minimize heat exposure to the blade and even if you do, it's around the screws, so it doesn't matter.