[Elecraft] Problem with a K3 screw

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Be careful with locktight. It   v-e-r-y   s-l-o-w-l-y   dissolves many plastics.

Some years ago I applied some to a screw securing a plastic part and over the next six months the plastic gradually disintegrated starting from the point where I applied the Locktight. ! 

I now consider it for use ONLY on metal parts. 

Instead I borrow a trick from my post WWII aircraft service days: paint. A drop of fingernail polish between the nut what it tightens against works very well. If you don't want it visible, paint the threads with some and then put the nut on over it, or paint the face of the nut that presses against the fan with black fingernail polish (a common color nowadays :-) and screw it in place before it dries. 

It's not so strong that you can't remove the nut, but it should prevent loosening due to fan vibration. 

And then there's always lock washers.

73, Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of P.J.Hicks
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2012 9:19 AM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] Problem with a K3 screw



As long as we are talking screws I thought I'd mention a situation that occurred last night. While moving my K3 to get at the rear panel I noticed that one of the acorn nuts from one of the fans had fallen off. In checking the rest of them I found them in various stages of looseness. I suspect that the minor fan vibration caused them to loosen. I retightened them and plan on adding a bit of locktight in the next few days. Just a heads up. 



PJ,  N7PXY
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