Yet another loctite problem, need some advise

D

d.weglarz13

Joined
Jun 4, 2008
Messages
1,944
Need some advice, not getting anywhere with this screw. Okay, so I know, soldering iron, hair dryer, etc. but nothing is working. Its a pivot screw, on a carbon fiber handle. Apparently someone put way too much loctite. But, I've held on the soldering iron onto the screw for about 15 seconds each time, put my all into it, and feel maybe a hair budging. So, do it again, and yet again feels like its moving just a hair. I'm afraid of stripping the screw out or possibly even breaking the head off at this point, I've put serious power behind it. Been at it for over an hour now, and the screw it just barely a few hairs looser. I'm using Wiha bits, and a cheap soldering iron from harbor freight that claims 725 degrees max temperature.

What else can I possibly do? I'm not sure if i should keep the iron on the pivot for longer than 15 seconds, but i'm fearful of melting the carbon fiber handle. I've also heard smacking it with a hammer to loosen up loctite but i've never had a problem before using a soldering iron.

Any advice would help me out guys, thanks in advance.

Dave
 
Try rapping the bit with a small hammer to shock the screw glue loose. This is a cut and paste from Sypderco about this.

1) Ensure that you have the proper size Torx® driver for your screws and that the driver head is in good condition. A single-piece, screwdriver-style driver works best.
2) Place your knife on a workbench or other hard surface. Use a paper towel or rag to protect the handle from scratches.
3) Insert the tip of the Torx driver into the screw head and ensure that it fits properly.
4) Tap the handle of the driver several times with a hammer to “shock” the screw and break the Loctite bond.
5) Maintain a firm, constant, downward pressure on the Torx driver as you rotate it to remove the screw.

https://forum.spyderco.com/viewtopic.php?t=74060
 
Okay thanks guys. I suppose my next step is longer time with the heat, and if that doesn't work I'll try the hammer technique.

Question, with the hammer, do I need to have heated it up first before tapping with the hammer?

I appreciate the help guys, I'll post up how it turns out.
 
Maybe put a wet rag or a cut potato on the CF while putting heat on the screw
 
I would go 20 to 25 seconds and also turn the screw back and forth as you try to loosen it.
If that fails, put the whole knife in a jar of denatured alcohol and leave it there for a week. That should seep down in the threads. After the week, try the screw, and repeat the hot iron again if needed.
 
Red loctite needs to get all the way to 500 degrees to release. In your situation (similar anyway) I knock off the head of the screw with an endmill thenyou can release the "handle" and get the heat right on the screw shank. caveat i am not yet a knifemaker but i have been cutting steel professionally for 10 years. I have taken out a bucket of stuck screws. Good luck. Also i use a pencil torch with propane or MAP gas.
 
d.weglarz13 said:
Okay thanks guys. I suppose my next step is longer time with the heat, and if that doesn't work I'll try the hammer technique.

Question, with the hammer, do I need to have heated it up first before tapping with the hammer?

I appreciate the help guys, I'll post up how it turns out.
Click to expand...
No heat for the shock/impact method.
 
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