Serious threadlocker alternative.

[BigLenny]

I have posted about this before with not very much response. I think folks think I'm joking or something. But, after reading some recent posts about people wondering how to use Loctite and other liquid threadlocker, I thought I would offer this suggestion again.

 

Some of you know that I am a sales rep for Grainger. Grainger is one of the largest sellers of threadlockers in the country. I sell so much Loctite, I keep my Loctite factory rep's number in my contact list in my phone because my customers are always questioning whether they are using it right. People use Loctite and other liquid threadlockers because they've been using them for years and years, and, well, they work, kinda, if you know which one to use.

 

My point of this post is to suggest another alternative that a boat load of my customers are switching to. Everytime I demo this product to a customer and they try it, they immediately stop using liquid threadlockers for most of their serious, can't have a bolt come loose applications. The thing that my customers like most about this product is, to loosen the bolt, all you have to use is a wrench or socket/ratchet. No more fiddling with a torch to heat the threadlocker, or having to put so much torque on a bolt head that your wondering if the head will snap.

 

The name of this product is called Nord-Lock. It is a revolutionary designed lock washer system that is more unique than any lock washer made. Most lock washers have serated teeth or burrs that dig into the flat part of whatever they are applied to with the hope that they will stay dug in enough to not back out under vibration. Well, as we all know, traditional lock washers are horrible under vibration environments. The Nord-Lock system is a double washer application that has small cams between the washers, and for it to loosen, it has to climb those cams, and that becomes a physical impossibilty. So, the bolt stays as tight as you apply it for as long as you want it to until you want to loosen it. You do that by apply strong pressure with a wrench. You can use the same washers over and over with the same performance. I stumbled across this product at a tradeshow that Grainger holds each year for us sellers to attend in Orlando so we can learn more about the products that are offered in our catalog. Nord-Lock was doing live demonstrations showing how normal lock washers back off under vibration, and how threadlockers can do the same in high heat environments. Not to mention the mess of using threadlockers, which one to use, and the heat neated to release them.

 

I have bunches of customers that use these washers to hold all kinds of vibrating motors in place in their factories and facilities. They absolutely love them.

 

I have a little demo kit that i carry with me. All it is is a hand held metal plate with a threaded stud sticking out of it, and a wing nut that you screw down onto the stud. You put a Nord-Lock double washer on the stud and hand tighten the wingnut down. You WILL NOT, I repeat, WILL NOT be able to hand loosen it. You have to get a pair of pliers to get the wing nut off. Thats how good they work. So, you can imagine how strong they are when you actually tighten a bolt or nut down with a wrench using strong torque.

 

I know it's not a perfect application for all places on a motorcycle. Some places you don't want to see a washer between the bolt head and the surface it's bolted to. But, you might try using it in an area that asthetics doesn't come into play.

 

Anyway, just a suggestion.

 

Maybe if y'all are interested, my next subject will be about an alternative to v-belts on fan motors. LOL.

[MikeWa]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like it is worth a try.

 

Mike

[kevin-vic-b.c.]

they are a good product yes.... but time and place must be considered

 

 

http://www.nord-lock.com/ the rep did not post it so I will

 

I have used them in many applications but few places on my motorcycle I would install them.

[dingy]

I looked at these a couple of years ago for a product I was designing at work. They are a nice alternative, but in high volume manufacturing, Loctite was a more viable option.

 

I have attached a picture of the from card that comes with the washers.

 

These do have an excellent resistance to backing out. The rep gave me a demo bottle opener. It has a stud welded on one end, a nord-lock washer and a wing nut. When the wing nut is snugged up, it takes probably 3 times the force to break it loose. And it is a multi-use lock that does not wear much at all with each tightening. Got a small supply in metric sizes, but I have not used any on the bike, just never think about them.

 

Gary

[Barrycuda]

Thanks for taking the time to post this. Worth a try at some point.

[XV1100SE]

Good post. Shows you are really sold on the product. You might have to show it off at Maintenance Day and bring a supply with you !

[Condor]

Interesting. Wonder what these things cost to the consumer?? And, I don't remember seeing it, but are they stainless??

[BigLenny]

Thanks Kevin and Gary for posting the link and the pics. I should've done that.

 

As stated above, these aren't viable cost efficient options in a high volume situation because they would be way more costly than throwing a dab of Loctite on the threads. However, they are perfect options for certain situations that you absolutely do not want a nut or bolt backing out due to vibration, and you also want to be able to remove the nut or bolt without having to use heat or a severe amount of torque. And, you can reuse them, which in the end knocks the cost down a little.

 

They do come in stainless as well as carbon steel.

 

Gary, I also have a few of those bottle opener demo units. They're pretty cool to hand to customers and watch them hand tighten the wing nut, and then try like heck to hand loosen it. They can't believe something they've just hand tightened can't be reversed by hand, they always have to get a wrench or pliers to loosen it. LOL.

 

These are mainly sold by wholesale distributers such as Grainger, MSC, Fastenal, McMaster Carr, etc. However, you can also buy them on Amazon.

[BigLenny]

Here is a YouTube link.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgwmuZuJ02I]Nord-Lock Demonstration Video - YouTube[/ame]

[spear]

Hey Big Lenny.

Thanks for the information. Never knew these things existed, although they have been available in Australia for a while. What a brilliant piece of engineering. Very simple yet specific in its application. Can't believe how many sizes are available, although I suppose if you want to cater to the larger industrial world you have to be able to supply everything.

I'm after some very small washers - about 6mm with a 3mm centre hole (roughly). Won't know until I pull apart what I need to be secured vibration-free on my Voyager outfit.

Sorry, but Loc-Tite just doesn't do a thing.

I'm looking for a home industry supply business next year when I retire to another city, and from what I see there are no Nord-Lock distributors there.

Might be a good in for a smart young buck!

[Mike G in SC]

Maybe if y'all are interested, my next subject will be about an alternative to v-belts on fan motors. LOL.

 

Lenny, I will show this to our maintenance manager at work, in case he may not know of them.

 

But,,, I work for Thermoid. Our SC operation makes and sells V-Belts.

Don't tell us how to do with out V-Belts for at least 2 more years (I'm 63). LOL

 

Mike G.

[Galapagos]

The Harley riders should buy a few buckets of these.

[IronMike]

They don't scratch the surface is cool feature. Can be reused. Important for an adventure trip. Might be a place for them. I've used RV glue with great success. Never hardens. Cheap.