What I use for nut-locking compound is plain old fingernail polish. Any color will work, but I use red because it is easy to see.
It can be used two ways - to secure nuts and screws, and as an indicator that unauthorized persons have been inside the box - sometimes called "warranty paint". Slather the polish liberally over the screw and threads, as well as over the interface area where the screw head or nut meets the panel. Use the applicator brush to work the paint into the threads. Fingernail polish dries in minutes, perhaps even seconds depending on environmental factors, is inexpensive, and will break away with only a little extra torque on the fastener if you really want it out of the way. Perhaps the XYL even has some she no longer wants, and if so, you won't have to buy any. All this presumes that the nut or screw being secured is not normally visible. If it is, clear polish is available, and works the same way. One bottle lasts for years. Keep it away from plastics unless you don't mind the fact that fingernail polish uses acetone, or an acetone like chemical, as a base, and will dissolve or at least soften some plastics. As always, try it on an inconspicuous area first. - Jim, KL7CC Jon Zaimes AA1K wrote: Thanks for the tip. The side panel did come off OK by itself, and the nut quickly dropped out onto the work table. <snip> On 8/22/2010 07:24 AM, Julian, G4ILO wrote Yours is the first post I can recall reporting this. If you are concerned about it happening again you could try putting a blob of paint on the thread of the bolt before retightening it, or even some special stuff made for precisely that purpoise (over here it is called Loctite.) ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
