Temporary "loc-tite" substitute?

[kjk200]

Does anyone know if I could use a drop of elmers white glue or clear fingernail polish as a temporary "loc-tite" substitute? I took a frame mounted scope mount off of my Colt 1911, and I want to "fill" the holes with set screws until I put the scope back on in a few months. I don't want to use loc-tite, because I don't have any and I don't think it is really needed, but something has to keep the screws from coming out. Thanks!

[pdoppenheim]

Clear nail polish will work. Make sure you clean the screw and threads with alcohol, acetone or fingernail polish remover to degrease the gun from any cleaners or oils.

Fingernail polish contains acetone. Wear rubber gloves. Acetone id a carcinogen that is absorbed through the skin. Use in a well ventilated area as the fumes are toxic too. They are taking the acetone out of the polish remover, but I don't know if they've taken it out of all brands yet.

Just use a tiny drop, such as you can apply to the threads with a toothpick.

Actually if you don't have clear any color nail polish will work.

If you have any trouble removing the screws, a few drops of acetone or a little bit of heat will soften the polish right up. Don't force hex scrfews as they can strip easier than slotted. Also, there are different qualities of hex wrenches. Again, a good one is worth the price.

[kjk200]

Don't force hex scrfews as they can strip easier than slotted. Also, there are different qualities of hex wrenches. Again, a good one is worth the price.

That is another reason I don't want to use loc-tite--I just had to drill out 2 of the screws on the mount. as for the good hex wrenches, how can you tell the "good" from the "bad" and where do you get the "good" ones? Thanks!

[Iron bottom]

For good hex wrenches, I like Team Losi, Hudy or MIP Thorpe. Modelers use them and they are very high quality. A search should find them. Sorta limited in sizes, though. The Thorpes are about $15.00 apiece, the others a little cheaper.

[Rich-D]

Clear nail polish will work. Make sure you clean the screw and threads with alcohol, acetone or fingernail polish remover to degrease the gun from any cleaners or oils.

Fingernail polish contains acetone. Wear rubber gloves. Acetone id a carcinogen that is absorbed through the skin. Use in a well ventilated area as the fumes are toxic too. They are taking the acetone out of the polish remover, but I don't know if they've taken it out of all brands yet.

Just use a tiny drop, such as you can apply to the threads with a toothpick.

Actually if you don't have clear any color nail polish will work.

If you have any trouble removing the screws, a few drops of acetone or a little bit of heat will soften the polish right up. Don't force hex scrfews as they can strip easier than slotted. Also, there are different qualities of hex wrenches. Again, a good one is worth the price.

Good Advice, I use clear nail polish on the grip screw heads on my carry guns to avoid the body acid rust from hands and body contact.

[Joni Lynn]

Clear nail polish will work for you, the other colors might look a lil bit out of place. ;)

[pdoppenheim]

Clear nail polish will work for you, the other colors might look a lil bit out of place. ;)

Not if it matches one's eyes.

[pdoppenheim]

as for the good hex wrenches, how can you tell the "good" from the "bad" and where do you get the "good" ones? Thanks!

Any high end tool company sells them. Snap-on, Mac, of course but also Lowes (their blue line is made by snap-on) or Craftsman. Be careful at Sears. Not all their tools are Craftsman. Look for the lifetime guarantee. They also have a lower line of tools made overseas that is packaged to look a lot like Craftsman but is not of the quality and does not carry the warranty.

[David Rose]

Boy! Do I agree with these posts. As a gunsmith I hate allen screws. Of course I have a major assortment of properly ground slotted bits. At least 75% of the scopes I need to pull or remount have stripped screw heads. In this case it is the cheap screws as much as cheap factory supplied wrenches. The good thing about them is that with a properly ground ease out, it will tap right in with no fuss making removal easy, normally.

I install quite a few Millett mounts. Their (Allen) screws are hardened (well?) enough that the shanks will usually break before the head strips. I use a pair of old t-handled wrenches that were made by Snap-on. I know that they need to be ground shorter (from wear) when at "just the last bit of torque", the wrench snaps a notch creating a sound like a .22 short going off and sparks fly. I hate for customers to see that. They never know what happened, but it gets their attention. It also gets my attention, because I wonder if I broke another screw. :butthead:

David