Thread Locker

LowRider CNC Advice
1

The documentation mentioned thread locker as an optional product I could purchase, but it does not mention where to use it. Is this suppose to be used on the screw-to-plastic parts or just the screw-to-nut parts?

Thanks

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2

The primary (and required) application is for the grub screws (screws in the couplers and pulleys that secure them to the motor shafts).

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3

Good to know. Thanks

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4

Hey :slight_smile: How important is this. ive assembled without?

5

You’ll eventually have pulleys or couplers loosen up and then you’ll have weird motion problems.
All of these grub screws should be reachable with a little effort and there are two per coupler or pulley, so it isn’t the worst thing ever to come back and fix it.

Your machine won’t fall apart on the first day, but eventually you will be sad if you don’t locktite the grub screws. There are thread after thread here that end up with :man_facepalming: because of grub screws.

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6

makes sense. theres a few things i would have done differently along the way. I will honesty likely rebuild it in a few months after ive played with it a bit more and learnt from the mistakes.

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7

Use purple thread lock if you don’t want a lot of bother when it comes time to undo them.

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8

Hey, can you give more info on this?

9

I believe this is what he is talking about…

https://a.co/d/9LUJ8mW

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10

JJ gave a link, I’ll give some context. Purple is technically the recommended strength for grub screws. Many of us used blue before we knew purple was the spec for the smaller screws.

Blue is more common and most auto parts stores sell blue. Many have a spot for purple as well, but it’s almost always sold out or poorly stocked (essentially the same thing)

Blue can be a bear to get undone on grub screws if you ever need to (need to use some heat in my experience).

Edit to add: Some people have no trouble with blue. Your mileage may vary.

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11

Yeah exactly, I needed a lot of heat gun action and a printed pulley puller to get the stepper pulleys off after using blue thread lock, pain in the butt. The purple would have released much easier.

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