How to deal with pesky Loctite

[Dergyll]

Hi folks,

Any DIY tips on how to deal with these? I'm now mortally afraid of these things after stripping a screw on my balisong.

I dont have a workshop or anything, is there things I can use around the house?

Thanks for any tip friends.

 

[krazichinaman]

Hi Dergyll,
If you don't have access to a soldering iron, you maybe able to heat it up via blow-dryer. The goal is to heat it back up enough to break some of the bond.

 

[sheep herder]

And use properly fitting tools to remove the screws.

 

[Dergyll]

Hey thanks for the response guys!

What about scale material/paint/finish?
Example, G10 is plastic, will that react ok with the heat?

Appreciate your input

 

[Bill DeShivs]

It takes about 300 degrees to break most thread sealer bonds.
A heat gun will melt any plastics and burn organic materials at that temperature.
A $15 soldering GUN from Harbor Freight is your best bet. It will get the fastener up to temperature faster than all but the largest soldering irons. This minimizes the spread of the heat.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Also recommend a soldering iron. Additionally, using one with adjustable temperature is a plus (dial it DOWN to the lowest temp, to start). And a pencil-type tip on the iron will also help to localize the application of heat to the recess in the screw head only, minimizing the chance of overheating the part or any surrounding materials of plastic. A too-big tip or too-high heat will drastically increase heat transfer rate, which is harder to control for the sake of minimizing damage.

Having worked in electronics for 18+ years, I'm absolutely positive, it's all about applying only enough heat, and applying it only where you want it, to prevent doing damage. Anything overkill is ALWAYS bad.

 

[000Robert]

I use a Hot-Air Rework Station and Kapton tape to protect the scales. Post #416 is mine removing the scales on my CPK UF. This way I don't even put a scratch on the hardware.

 

[Dergyll]

I'll probably invest in a new one, mine is ancient and doesnt have the adjustableness (at least I dont think, gotta dig it up).

I saw a youtube video about brake cleaner? Haha, any brave person try it on knives?

 

[Daniel]

There is a viable alternative to heat:

Place the bit in the screw and tap the bit in place several times, FIRMLY. This will break the loctite seal.

I rarely use heat at all. Invest in good tools, also. A T-handle is a worthy investment.

 

[Working Edge]

Very good and often-overlooked technique.

 

[Dergyll]

Thank you gents, definitely will give it a shot before attempting to apply heat.

 

[Dr Rez]

Warm water thats below boiling for a few seconds will typically do the trick, however try a blowdrier first.