Screws--what common fasteners to carry?

[stratmando]

I usually stock the longest of each screw size I need and then cut to length rather than stocking every possible length I might need. I also carry a couple of my most common drill / tap sets. I can always drill out and tap to a size screw I have on hand.

Good point, then be sure to have a Klein Stripper(or Similar)with the 6 holes for cutting screws,

[Black85vette]

....then be sure to have a Klein Stripper(or Similar)with the 6 holes for cutting screws,

Yep. Great tool if you don't have a Dremel handy. Not so great on hardened threads like set screws.

In the shop I keep a 1/8" piece of scrap steel drilled and tapped. You put a nut on the screw, screw it into the scrap, tighten the nut for the length you need, cut with cutoff wheel flush at the scrap metal, smooth the end with the cutoff wheel, remove the screw, remove the nut, clean up tip if needed. Works great to get exact length and keep the screw from over heating.

[Peter Martin]

I usually stock the longest of each screw size I need and then cut to length rather than stocking every possible length I might need. I also carry a couple of my most common drill / tap sets. I can always drill out and tap to a size screw I have on hand.

Good advice from everyone. I made a quick list of various screws from the Adams Rite parts catalogue... and saw many "pan head" #8 or #10 machine screws in various lengths. Far easier to carry a few common sizes and trim down the remainder.

[jeffmoss26]

get a small tube of blue loctite!

[billdeserthills]

get a small tube of blue loctite!

For about what a small tube costs, you can get a lifetime supply


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Thread-Locker- ... Swt4xfPOXk

[GWiens2001]

They make a purple locktite meant for tiny screws.

Gordon

[billdeserthills]

They make a purple locktite meant for tiny screws.

Gordon

I have used the purple, blue & green--the red always scared me too much to use it much

[Jacob Morgan]

get a small tube of blue loctite!

For about what a small tube costs, you can get a lifetime supply
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Thread-Locker- ... Swt4xfPOXk

That might work, but be warned it is a Chinese counterfeit. LOCTTLF?

Here is fairly exhaustive comparison of readily available blue thread lockers [youtube]https://youtu.be/S-uN-d7XtL4[/youtube] if anyone is interested.

[GWiens2001]

Good catch with that, Jacob Morgan! Being in the same red bottle as the original, I missed it.

I don't really like red locktite, so didn't order any.

Gordon

[billdeserthills]

get a small tube of blue loctite!

For about what a small tube costs, you can get a lifetime supply
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Thread-Locker- ... Swt4xfPOXk

That might work, but be warned it is a Chinese counterfeit. LOCTTLF?

Here is fairly exhaustive comparison of readily available blue thread lockers [youtube]https://youtu.be/S-uN-d7XtL4[/youtube] if anyone is interested.

I bought a bottle of the blue last year & it works just like real locktite

[demux]

get a small tube of blue loctite!

For about what a small tube costs, you can get a lifetime supply


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Thread-Locker- ... Swt4xfPOXk

I usually buy the big bottles as well because the cost is pretty close and I'd rather have too much than not enough, but keep in mind Loctite does have a shelf life. So I doubt it would actually last your whole life (at least not if you're a younger guy).

[blue60]

My biggest beef with the little tubes of loctite is the lid cracks then it leaks all over my toolbox.

[Black85vette]

My biggest beef with the little tubes of loctite is the lid cracks then it leaks all over my toolbox.

My only beef is that it is about the same size as my graphite tube and they sit on the same shelf. Note to self: Loctite Blue does not work as a lube in locks.

[demux]

My only beef is that it is about the same size as my graphite tube and they sit on the same shelf. Note to self: Loctite Blue does not work as a lube in locks.

Yikes. That sounds like a good way to have a bad day. I think I might be moving one of those tubes to a different location if I were you...

[GWiens2001]

Note to self: Loctite Blue does not work as a lube in locks.

Not does graphite work well at preventing screws and bolts from backing out.

Have to agree with demux on the need to relocate one of the two tubes.

Gordon