[Elecraft] K3S stainless screws

[Dennis Griffin]

Regarding my earlier comment about the use of an anti-seize vs. a threadlocker: I don’t have a K3S, so have no direct experience with the screws being discussed; I haven’t really been following the SS screw thread, therefore didn’t realize that they apparently have the conversion coat Howie mentions; this being the case, I would agree with Howie that most OM’s shouldn’t need to take extra measures to ensure retention of the subject screws.

Having been a motorcyclist who maintains his own for 50 years, I do have considerable experience with the proper application of threadlockers, and as previously stated, it wouldn’t seem that use of one is really indicated here. FWIW, if I were subjecting electronic gear to a high vibration environment w/o taking steps to isolate it from the vibrations, I’d have greater concerns than a screw or few coming loose, hi.

73 de Dennis KD7CAC
Scottsdale, AZ

> On Jun 18, 2015, at 8:09 AM, Howard Hoyt <hhoyt at mebtel.net> wrote:
> 
> Properly done, hot-process black oxide finish on plain steel with a wax sealer can be quite corrosion resistance, there is even a MIL spec for that (well, there is for everything including waffles, I suspect!).  I would think that accounts for the reports of the plain steel screws not corroding.
> 
> Interestingly enough a reason a black oxide or especially black zinc finish is applied to stainless steel is not related to appearance nor corrosion resistance, but to forestall galling.  The combination of the intervening layer (>0.0002" of black-zinc conversion coating, 0.000005" for hot-process black-oxide) and the wax or other sealer aids in lowering interface friction.  And although the wax acts a an EP lubricant while tightening, it's stiction characteristic can aid in fastener retention.
> 
> Howie - WA4PSC