Low-medium strength penetrating/wicking threadlocker

[michael howarth 1Participant @michaelhowarth1]

May I once again draw  on the knowledge of the Forum in my search for a low to medium strength penetrating (wicking) threadlocker. I understand that Loctite 220 would fit the bill but I cannot find a UK stockist. I already have Loctite 290 (penetrating) but it is medium to high strength and a mite too powerful for 6BA/8BA grub screws. Bondloc also do a 290 med/high strength penetrating but not as fae as I can establish a lower strength variety. Any recommendations will be appreciated.

Mick

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Silmid.  Scary expensive though – £36 for 10ml!

Dave

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

220 looks promising:

https://www.lawsonproducts.com/products/220™-low-strength-wicking-grade-threadlocker-10ml-1383607

MichaelG.

[Wink HackmanParticipant @winkhackman25989]

You could try this:

Superloc 355

 

[Kiwi BlokeParticipant @kiwibloke62605]

It depends on how strong you need the ‘locking’ to be – and you won’t know how strong your chosen stuff will be, without experiment. You could consider shellac (dissolved in alcohol). Old-fashioned, but it works, you can tailor its viscosity to your preference, and it’s cheap…

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Cant get my head round the 1/4″ limit Michael?

[bernard towers]

On bernard towers Said:

Cant get my head round the 1/4″ limit Michael?

It’s not a ‘limit’ as such, Bernard … Simply the manufacturer’s recommendation

Stronger grades are more suited to fasteners over 1/4”

MichaelG.

[michael howarth 1Participant @michaelhowarth1]

Just to put you more in the picture, I am looking to secure the fasteners in the valve gear and motion work of a Gauge 1 Loco. The fasteners are either 8BA or 10BA. The chassis is running beautifully on air at the moment (pausing to touch wood) and I would like to keep it that way without dismantling and applying threadlocker. I have used Loctite 290, wicking grade in the past but it is mighty strong when set and I have had casualties in the past when dismantling. Loctite 220 seems as if it would fit the bill as a low/medium strength penetrating adhesive but I cannot track down a UK stockist. (Henkel, the maker, who used to be such an obliging and helpful company have cut me off twice on the telephone). Truloc and Bondloc do not appear to offer a penetrating grade.

I am quite drawn to Kiwi Bloke’s suggestion and I am guessing that diluted nail varnish might achieve the same end. Thanks for the contributions so far.

Mick

[michael howarth 1]

On michael howarth 1 Said:

… but I cannot track down a UK stockist….

Mick

Mick, can you see my post #827024?  First answer in the thread and it identifies a UK supplier. You may have missed it because a forum bug causes posts to disappear and reappear.

It said:  Silmid.  Scary expensive though – £36 for 10ml!

I’ve no idea how well it works, but 220 is designed for your purpose.  The alternatives are pot-luck;  great if they work, rubbish if they don’t.  When getting it right is important, I cough up for the real thing.  If failure is acceptable, then by all means try diluted nail varnish!

Dave

[michael howarth 1Participant @michaelhowarth1]

Hallo Dave. Thanks for your post. Yes, the price is a bit scary. And p&p is £25. Just a wee bit over the top for 10ml methinks.

mick

[lalan45Participant @lalan45]

I’ve been down this road too — you’re right that 290 can be a bit overkill on the smaller screws. In the UK, a few folks have had good luck with Loctite 222 (low strength) for things like 6BA/8BA, and 222MS if you want the medium‑strength variant that still breaks free more easily than 290. Another option is Permatex Low Strength Threadlocker — not as commonly stocked here but sometimes easier to find through online retailers. Also worth checking specialist fastener suppliers rather than big DIY stores; they often carry a wider range of the weaker formulas. Hope that helps

[michael howarth 1Participant @michaelhowarth1]

Thanks for that Lalan. I have got Loctite 222 but it is not a wicking grade. Can it be effectively diluted I wonder.

Mick

[bernard towers]

On bernard towers Said:

Cant get my head round the 1/4″ limit Michael?

On Kiwi Bloke Said:

It depends on how strong you need the ‘locking’ to be – and you won’t know how strong your chosen stuff will be, without experiment. You could consider shellac (dissolved in alcohol). Old-fashioned, but it works, you can tailor its viscosity to your preference, and it’s cheap…

Yes shellac is what we used before loctite came along. It works well on small screws, just a dab.

But shellac was hideously expensive last time I saw some in a hardware shop. A possible substitute is Aviation Form-A-Gasket hard setting variety.

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

Nail varnish can be useful as a low-strength threadlocker too.

Rob

[cedric 1]

On cedric 1 Said:

[…]
But shellac was hideously expensive last time I saw some in a hardware shop. […]

Shellac flakes are quite reasonably priced on Ali Express

MichaelG.

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

On aircraft instruments we used a clear red lacquer for locking and indicating screws had been tightened. It was often called “glyptal” but that is a opaque paint used for insulation. Available in small bottles on ebay and the like “Alclad Transparent Red Lacquer” looks very similar.

Robert

[Michael Gilligan]

On Michael Gilligan Said:

On cedric 1 Said:

[…]
But shellac was hideously expensive last time I saw some in a hardware shop. […]

Shellac flakes are quite reasonably priced on Ali Express

MichaelG.

Thanks much for the tip. I have been seeking some to make my own marking-out blue. The commercial layout blue, Dykem etc, seems to be only available in spray cans at even more hideous prices these days. And I do prefer the less messy brush on option.

[renardiere7Participant @renardiere7]

Cedric, I saw someone advertising refillable broad tip marker pens specifically for Dykem along with refill bottles. It may have been one of the knife maker suppliers, I’ll have a look.

[renardiere7Participant @renardiere7]

Here you go.

https://www.gfsknifesupplies.com/Products/SearchValue/Dykem

[Mark EasingwoodParticipant @markeasingwood33578]

Walters & Walters sell Dykem.     LINK HERE

Workshop Heaven sell shellac flakes, as do other woodwork related suppliers.   LINK HERE

[renardiere7]

On renardiere7 Said:

Cedric, I saw someone advertising refillable broad tip marker pens specifically for Dykem along with refill bottles. It may have been one of the knife maker suppliers, I’ll have a look.

Edding 850 markers and similar work well enough for me
https://www.edding.com/en-uk/products/edding-850-permanent-marker/

and are refillable (with smaller refills than this available from eBay/Amazon etc.
https://www.edding.com/en-uk/products/edding-t-1000-refill-ink-permanent-marker/

Back to threadlock; I can’t find if the Sealey one is suitable for wicking;
https://www.sealey.co.uk/low-strength-thread-lock-50ml-scs222s/

It’s available from cheaper outlets, including Bearing Boys who may well be able to advise, though for some reason it features on a different page to this one;
https://www.bearingboys.co.uk/Threadlocking-1074-c

Bill

[Author]

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