teflon tape cleaning.... loctite experience?

Popsickle

Popsickle

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whats your best way to get teflon tape out of the threads of a pivot? specifically on a strider smf :D.
i tried using it on my smf aluminum s35vn and it seems it really didnt do much of anything other than tell myself i just need to send it in to strider for a tune up. Before that id like to clean the tape out of it though.... tried a toothpick and that wasn't really working.

also what is everyones experience with loctite? ive heard both very good and very bad lol
 
Why use pipe tape on non-pipe threads? I've always wondered why people do this.

The key to using loctite is not using a lot and letting it set before using.

Try dental picks to get the tape out.
 
knifenut1013 said:
Why use pipe tape on non-pipe threads? I've always wondered why people do this.

The key to using loctite is not using a lot and letting it set before using.
Click to expand...

That´s why I use teflon tape! It works as good as glue and you don´t need to wait for it to set. Just put it on and you´r ready to go.
 
Unfortunately, there is no practical solvent for Teflon. It is going to have to be removed mechanically. Try a wire brush.... maybe on a Dremel tool.
 
welp i bought loctite 242 and used about a drop or two on the pivots of my smf 3v cc and my aluminum smf. we shall see in 24 hours
 
Try using a pipe cleaner to get the tef tape out. Its ironic that you would use tef tape in place of loc tite. Loc tite is used to lock threads in place when they exposed to vibrations like on motor mounts, where as tef tape or pipe dope is designed to make threaded pipe easier to disassemble.
 
I've used teflon tape many times to prevent screws from loosening. It does sound counter-intuitive but it works.

Do you have a small bore brush like a worn out .22 or better yet .17 caliber? Gently twist it into the threads. Worth a try.
 
Teflon tape works.

Getting out of the pivot, no idea, probably a dental pick/pipe cleaner doubled over.
 
knifenut1013 said:
Why use pipe tape on non-pipe threads? I've always wondered why people do this.

The key to using loctite is not using a lot and letting it set before using.

Try dental picks to get the tape out.
Click to expand...

"Why" is probably due to some confusion about how teflon tape works in a pipe joint and assume it will work to tighten up the threads and "seal" it.

Teflon tape REDUCES friction so that you can seal TAPERED threads on pipes by mechanical force. The threads seal up against each other by deformation. The tape does nothing to help with the actual seal.

Edited to explain further:

In a high pressure water pipe joint, with PARALLEL threads, teflon tape does nothing to help seal the joint.

I apologize for my ambiguous statement. ;)
 
Last edited:
What a statement... it's false.

It does work and unfortunately I can't physically show anyone who will look at this thread what the results of using plumbers tape are.

I have a feeling we are going to agree to disagree.
 
dsmegst said:
"Why" is probably due to some confusion about how teflon tape works in a pipe joint and assume it will work to tighten up the threads and "seal" it.

Teflon tape REDUCES friction so that you can seal TAPERED threads on pipes by mechanical force. The threads seal up against each other by deformation. The tape does nothing to help with the actual seal.

On PARALLEL threads, like the pivot screws on a folder, teflon tape does nothing.
Click to expand...

BEFORE I put teflon tape on my knives = pivot screw loosens
AFTER I put teflon tape on my knives = pivot screw stays in place

I don't know why there's any debate about this, just wrap it around a few times around the pivot screw and it's great. Anyone that has tried it knows it works.
 
Skimo said:
What a statement... it's false.

It does work and unfortunately I can't physically show anyone who will look at this thread what the results of using plumbers tape are.

I have a feeling we are going to agree to disagree.
Click to expand...

It all comes down to what teflon tape is designed to do, and that is to reduce friction. If you're relying on it to tighten up the space between the threads to prevent slippage, then it's a side effect. But if you try to seal a high pressure water pipe joint with parallel threads solely with teflon tape, the results would be poor. All I'm saying is that a lot of people probably misunderstand why teflon tape is used in their bathrooms and kitchens and transfer that assumption to other uses for it. Sure, it often works and I'm not arguing with the results. But I am saying there's a better solution.

No one says you can't use a knife blade to tighten a screw, it's just not the intended design. If I had a choice between loctite and some tape, I would always go for the loctite.
 
dsmegst said:
"Why" is probably due to some confusion about how teflon tape works in a pipe joint and assume it will work to tighten up the threads and "seal" it.

Teflon tape REDUCES friction so that you can seal TAPERED threads on pipes by mechanical force. The threads seal up against each other by deformation. The tape does nothing to help with the actual seal.

On PARALLEL threads, like the pivot screws on a folder, teflon tape does nothing.
Click to expand...

So adding material between the threads to take up some space, and cause a bolt that is loose, (pivots aren't tightened all the way) won't make it stay in place? I assume you have never tried it since you said it does nothing. Do you really think all these people would use it and it does nothing so they all imagine their pivots stay tight? I use it on all my pivots now because it has some distinct advantages. But if you want to 'think' it does nothing, that is fine. But you are wrong. It may not work the same way it does on pipe threads but that doesn't mean it doesn't do something on machine threads.

I use teflon tape on all my pivots now. You have to add 3 or 4 wraps so there is enough material to take up the spaces between the threads. If you only put a wrap or two then it may not do anything. Once you put it on the bolt and you adjust it, it is done and you dont have to let it dry. If you want to make minor adjustments you can and don't have to worry about breaking the bond of Loc tite and then need to reapply it to work right. You also don't need to clean and degrease the threads like is required for Loc tite to make a good bond. Knife pivots usually have oil put on them periodically so most pivot screws need to be degreased any time you touch the pivot with a tool.

If you think it doesn't work why not give it a try? It can't hurt anything other than changing your mind. If you don't like it then go back to Loc tite. I have never had a problem taking it off. If I can't unwrap it from the threads then a wire brush will pull it out.
 
There's plenty of real world friction with teflon tape. Just because teflon has a very low coef. of friction has little bearing on teflon tape in this application. It acts as a malleable polymer that compression sets inside the threads, resulting in a huge increase in contact area and dramatically INCREASING friction in the process. If you wrap the teflon tape just right you can even get some limited adjustment out of it before it breaks down and needs to be reapplied. For the most part though I prefer loctite, medium strength blue for most applications. It holds best with the threads fully degreased, preferably with acetone or some similarly thorough process. I apply it to the male threads and let it sit for about half an hour, while it doesn't dry it does wick down into the threads and seems to thicken up slightly, reducing mess when installing. It doesn't need to coat the whole fastener, just the last 30% or so at the end.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
So adding material between the threads to take up some space, and cause a bolt that is loose, (pivots aren't tightened all the way) won't make it stay in place? I assume you have never tried it since you said it does nothing. Do you really think all these people would use it and it does nothing so they all imagine their pivots stay tight? I use it on all my pivots now because it has some distinct advantages. But if you want to 'think' it does nothing, that is fine. But you are wrong. It may not work the same way it does on pipe threads but that doesn't mean it doesn't do something on machine threads.

I use teflon tape on all my pivots now. You have to add 3 or 4 wraps so there is enough material to take up the spaces between the threads. If you only put a wrap or two then it may not do anything. Once you put it on the bolt and you adjust it, it is done and you dont have to let it dry. If you want to make minor adjustments you can and don't have to worry about breaking the bond of Loc tite and then need to reapply it to work right. You also don't need to clean and degrease the threads like is required for Loc tite to make a good bond. Knife pivots usually have oil put on them periodically so most pivot screws need to be degreased any time you touch the pivot with a tool.

If you think it doesn't work why not give it a try? It can't hurt anything other than changing your mind. If you don't like it then go back to Loc tite. I have never had a problem taking it off. If I can't unwrap it from the threads then a wire brush will pull it out.
Click to expand...

Hm, I think you're confusing my posts about what teflon tape does and how it's used as intended with an argument against using it for the folder pivot. If you read carefully, I don't ever say not to use it or that it's a bad idea. I simply explain how it really works in the case we're most familiar with, in the seal of a high pressure water pipe.

I guess my "it does nothing" phrase is what got people so hot. Yes, I wrote that in the context of sealing a water pipe connection. So it's my fault for not being clear.

Man, it's like talking to my wife. No one else picks apart every word and phrase aside from internet forums and her. :rolleyes:
 
Women are natural communicators, spoken word is effective.

Here we read and digest information , I should have copied your original post as an example, yes it was ambiguous, and thank you for clarifying your statement. :thumbup:
 
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