lock tite on screws on handle

[chessiedog1]

Just was curious to see how many put lock tite on the torx screws when mounting the handle to a mule knife. I do not, but seeing the picture at the top of the mule page on Spyderco website had me thinking.

[weeping minora]

Just was curious to see how many put lock tite on the torx screws when mounting the handle to a mule knife. I do not, but seeing the picture at the top of the mule page on Spyderco website had me thinking.

I use it like Frank's RedHot; I put that sh!t on everything.

[RustyIron]

Unintentional post. Sorry.

[Jeb]

Weeping M,

Good one, lol... I am old school oilfield guy and I use the Loctite on everything too. But I must admit here and I have not put it on the screws that hold the scales to the Mules I have.

Not sure why really cause I know it's best to do so lol. Yet I have not done that just yet to my Mules. I am new to the Mule Team thing. I have acquired only 7 or 8 of these Mules in different steels and can honestly say I have not had any of the screws work loose yet.

I think the way these screw heads huck up in the G10 factory Spyderco scales I am using they are going to be hard pressed to work loose really. Now I do put two T-8 drivers, one on each side and really romp them down tight.

So, till I see a screw work loose, I guess I will try to control myself with the Loctite lol. I got me some of the Orange here a few months ago, and so far I like it for lightweight stuff.

I also have the blue-green stuff that is a thread chase soak type, that is somewhere between the red and blue hold strength.

Then I have the red go getter bad boy stuff... I don't use the blue much, so don't have it around.

[Zbec27]

I've always used the blue medium strength that comes in the chapstick container. Handy stuff to have around, not quite as messy as the liquid. Haven't had anything come loose with it yet.

[Jeb]

You know I have tried two different strengths of that stick stuff red and blue and I have never gotten it to setup and work.

First couple times I thought I had dirty threads one side or other, so I bought their primer, and that didn't help either.

The stick is way more handy to use for sure but I never could make the red or blue stick work, I even tried the stuff by running the threads up with an impact, thinking that might get it to kick off. That was a suggestion from a Loctite rep. that I had talked to about it.

I tried the stick on large threads to really small ones and finally just gave up. I have learned how to use the liquid over the years now, so I am not wearing more of it than the threads I am using it on, nor do I was it, as this stuff is not cheap lol...

[Narow]

I have not put loctite on mine for the simple reason that i dont expect my mule to be subject for lots of vibration.

If i were to use it id use red loctite. Since it slightly increases the holding power while still being easily removed (unless you overtighten the screws).

If i wouldnt want to it to be dissasembled id simply use epoxy to glue the scales and threads of the screws.

All that said untill i know for sure what handle i will use i will simply just use nothing and if the screws slowly loosen i will decide then what handle i want to put on it forever (epoxy).

[Evil D]

I use the blue chapstick style on all my screws.

[Jeb]

Narrow,

Just to let you know the red is not considered the easy to remove. It's the stronger holding. The red is considered the permanent one, even though with a little heat you can remove the threads if need be.

The blue is the soft set for easy removal. With these really small torx head screws one does need to be really careful if using the red.

If the red is applied correctly and allowed to setup, you will need heat on the screws to remove them... now that all said, your Loctite does need to be good and not to old and used up. I keep all mine in a refrigerator, the Loctite will have a much improved shelf life, if you don't use yours up fast enough to buy new regular.

[Narow]

Narrow,

Just to let you know the red is not considered the easy to remove. It's the stronger holding. The red is considered the permanent one, even though with a little heat you can remove the threads if need be.

The blue is the soft set for easy removal. With these really small torx head screws one does need to be really careful if using the red.

If the red is applied correctly and allowed to setup, you will need heat on the screws to remove them... now that all said, your Loctite does need to be good and not to old and used up. I keep all mine in a refrigerator, the Loctite will have a much improved shelf life, if you don't use yours up fast enough to buy new regular.

You are probably right. Red might be too strong for the small screws.

That said in my experience with red it doesnt actually increase holding power too much. If you torque something to 20nm it releases at about 23nm. That is with just a few drops on larger bolts tho. Blue loctite would release at bellow 20nm, altho it withstands vibrations.

Never had to heat up red loctite personally but ill take your word for it.

And as you correctly pointed out it gotta be fresh loctite :)

Green wicking loctite is in my opinion more permanent than red.

But anyways not to give people here any potential issues with their handles id say stay with blue on those small screws, it will also slow down the screw if it does turn.

[sal]

Hi Chessiedog, Narrow,

Welcome to our forum.

sal

[Narow]

Hello Sal, thank you.

As a new member and user of spydercos i'd like to tell you that i love what you guys are doing and to keep it up.

I have a dragonfly 2 in pd1 and a mule in magnamax and the heat treat, fit and finish and geometry of both seems spot on. Im normally a swedish and finnish knife user but now also a happy user of your knives aswell :)