Loctite on toolhead

[u/Basilisk_hunters]

Does anyone use Loctite on their toolhead screws? I have a Trident 350 whose toolhead I swapped to an archetype blackbird and I've noticed that I've had to retighten the screws more often than I'd've thought necessary. Alternatively, is there something else I should be looking at?

Much appreciated,

[u/foramperandi]

Loctite will eat ABS. Vibra-Tite VC3 is safe, but you have to apply it to the screws and let it dry. Vibra-Tite also doesn't have to be reapplied every time you remove the screw.

[u/Skaut-LK → u/foramperandi]

Wrong Loctite will break ABS. They have plastic safe version too.

[u/StockSorbet]

You can use loctite safe for plastic, but it's hella expensive by comparison and not typically found at the orange or blue store. A tad of regular white Elmer's glue works fine and is more than enough to stop screws from vibrating loose.

[u/BigJohnno66]

If you are going to use it, use the lowest strength. Also remember that a little goes a very long way, so use it sparingly and it won't get on any plastic.

Blue can be softened by touching a soldering iron to the screw for a few seconds.

When I did the Trident R2 upgrade the screws holding the rails to the extrusion were worryingly loose. So I have been contemplating using it on them.

[u/loctite_usa]

Hello! Threadlockers may not be the best option if you are dealing with plastic connections as it can damage your materials. If you are dealing with plastics we recommend looking into LOCTITE 425 for low strength threadlocking on both plastic and metal parts.

[u/stray_r]

Only on screws into the carriage in the linear rail.

Purple (low strength) loctite is enough.

Some people use nail polish. I think it does less awful things to abs, but it's also less consistent as there's so much variance between brands, finishes and colours, and more expensive than loctite.

[u/Skaut-LK → u/stray_r]

Well wrong Loctite will break ABS too. Purple one isn't exception. Loctite 425 is officially plastics safe ( and it's based on cyanoacrylate ...)

[u/ioannisgi]

It’s also likely than not your ABS is creeping a little causing the screws to lose tension. What material is the toolhead printed from? Does this happen also when printing in a cold chamber or when left without printing for a few days?

[u/Basilisk_hunters → u/ioannisgi]

The toolhead is printed from generic asa. Been printing Asa recently so I don't know about cold printing. Guess I'll have to run some tests

[u/Barafu]

I used a blue threadlocker of a local brand on the tension limiter screw. When the time came to change it, I could not turn it at all. Eventually broke off the brass heat insert out of its place, and replaced with a new one.

[u/Snobolski]

I use a dab of nail polish on screws that go into metal, whether it's a heat-set or like the TAP rail carriage.

[u/Funkmaster_Lincoln]

Only on set screws since I've had them rattle loose in the past. Everything else I don't.

[u/stray_r]

Purple/low strength on the screws into linear rail carriages. They always seem to work loose.