Poor Man's Tip #1: Budget Thread Locker

Hey guys,

Loctite is one of those products that come in really handy but you may not use super often.  The only downsides are that it isn't the cheapest stuff around and the flavors can be hard to remember.

Gel Super Glue

I'll cut straight to the tip here, guys.  If you want to be ready in case you need thread locker, get yourself a tube of gel super glue at the dollar store.  It's not exactly the same stuff, guys, but it works pretty well.  Don't use the liquid stuff because it runs all over the place way too easily and, being clear, is hard to see.  The gel stays pretty much where you put it.

Follow this tip at your own risk because Murphy's law states that super glue isn't so super most of the time, but the one time you count on it being not so super, it will be awesome super.  Seriously, your only real risk here is that the parts you thread lock for safety are damaged when you take them apart.  Pretty much the same thing that can happen with red Loctite.  And, super glue is very similar to Loctite chemically with both being cyanoacrylates.  Heat up the part you want to take apart and you probably won't be able to tell if you used a real thread locker or super glue.

Tips for remembering the Loctite flavors:

1. I'm blue because I don't have Loctite.  Blue is the stuff you want most of the time.
2. I'm seeing red because some jerk used Loctite on this part.  Red is the super strong Loctite.  High temp will break it down, but it might take higher temp than you want to apply.
3. Purple is weak.  I got nothing better here, guys.  I normally just use blue, but if you can't heat the screw later or it's really small (like in your cell phone small), get the purple stuff.
4. Green wicks into places.  Never used it.  In this case, green means no grow.

And the moral of the story is:  If you're ever on a serious budget, remember the dollar store and gel super glue.