Loctite Corp, originally famous for its thread locking compounds, is now a part of Hinlcle, a German company, They produce numerous products ranging from Fast Orange hand cleaner to thread lock and retaining compounds to various adhesives.

Jim refreshed our memories on the conventional types of mechanical metal fasteners, including bolts, locking nuts and lock washers. Loctite produces a substitute anaerobic setting plastic in liquid form that fills the fastener's meshing screw thread voids. These compounds are not glues (non-sticky) and harden in the absence of air and in the presence of a metal that can corrode such as steel and brass. For metals such as stainless steal, a primer such as a copper sulfate solution is first applied in order to promote the polymerization, or hardening, of liquid plastic.

Jim indicated that the bottles containing Loctite are far from being filled when shipped. This is because the presence of air prevents the polymer from hardening prior to use and is "not a conscious plot to sell more product."

The thread lock products are color coded: Purple; weak strength, good for eye glass screws. Blue; fasteners can be disassembled mechanically. Red; permanent, disassemble after heating. Green; apply after tightening fastener (can be wicked up into the threads).

A range of liquid pipe sealants, which are alternatives to Teflon tape, are available. They are compatible with various fluids, temperatures and pressures.

Jim also described how the cyanoacrylate (Super Glue) adhesives work. Moisture, present on the pieces that are to be glued together, is required to initiate the polymerization process. Cyanoacrylates remain liquid in the presence of a weak acid, the way they are shipped. Water, being a weak base, neutralizes the stabilizing acidic environment and promotes the hardening or polymerization. This curing method also requires a thin glue section with an attendant large surface area in order for the moisture to contact the entire volume of polymer.

Jim distributed literature covering the selection and use of Loctite products. He invited club members to participate in a 3 hour Metal Bonding Workshop that he will present on May 5, 2001 at Disco Corp. You may contact him via the web site www.loctite.com.
 

Rod Shampine showed a press plate that he colored to straw-purple in his kitchen oven. His recipe follows: Cover object to be colored with WD40. Sprinkle liberally with carbon particles. Bake at 475 degrees F. for an hour or to the color desired. Open all doors and windows to remove offensive odors. Wear tennis shoes in preparation to run like h.. . from wife when she learns what you are up to.

Jan Rowland brought pictures showing the pipe organ draw knobs that he turned from cocobola wood on his "home brew" numerically controlled lathe.

Dick Kostelnicek showed a wheel dressing fixture and lathe tool post grinder that uses a motor from a discarded paper shredder. This split phase capacitor motor was ideally suited to this application because of its large torque, high speed, and small size.
 

We will of course have David in our thoughts, and look forward to seeing him again at the May meeting, which we hope will again be at the Collier library? Knock on wood... Or, metal???