Are your cap head/grub screws filling with swarf?

[OuBallieParticipant @ouballie]

Honourable people, I salute you.

Are you being plagued with the cap head/grub screws on your worthy machines filling up with swarf?

Fear not desperate souls, for there is a perfect solution, to his problem, at hand!

Serious mode/

Fill them with silicone sealer, leaving a tale so as to be able to pull the plug out as and when needed.

They work a treat and reusable to boot.

Done this on my BH600G, after my experience with my V10P cap heads filling up with swarf, and then searching for an implement to dig the stuff out.

It bugged me beyond belief at the time.

Idea courtesy Martin P on uk.rec.models.engineering

/Serious mode

Geoff – New T-nut & stud awaiting delivery of a die to finish off. (never done screw cutting using lathe)

[OuBallieParticipant @ouballie]

How to stop it happening!

[_Paul_Participant @_paul_]

Why not just blow them out with an airline?

Regards

Paul

[GaryMParticipant @garym]

Sounds like an idea worth trying. Alternatively you can fill them with grease. I use this on allen bolts on my bikes.

Gary

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

Good idea, would a wire "stalk" help? I've got some plastic rods of different sizes ,roughly hex in section, these can be cut into short lengths and stuck in a near size hole. They were originally meant for plugs in stone walls, for which they are useless. Also I have an old foot pump fitted with a suzy and a bit of small bore pipe, this is ideal for blowing out, chuck cleaning etc. Watch your eyes . PS Suzy is coiled plastic tube as found on HGV tractor units.

[SteveWParticipant @stevew54046]

Sounds like a good idea. I dislike any blowing of swarf esp brass – tends to get places I can't see

[MICHAEL WILLIAMSParticipant @michaelwilliams41215]

Certainly plug then if rarely used but problem is with constant use ones like on toolposts .

Best solution for that is to replace with old fashioned square heads and make a special key .

Square heads were once a standard machine accessory available from people like WDS – I wouldn't be surprised if they are still available somewhere .

MikeW

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

I have tried to get 1/4 Whit x 3/4 long square headed set screws for my toolposts No luck so far I want a dozen if anyone has any ideas i'd be pleased otherwise I think i'm going to have to get some key steel and make my own

Roy

[JoParticipant @jo]

I stick a piece of sellotape over the cap head screws on my tools etc.

Jo

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

If using the Silicone sealant method – be aware that most of these sealants evolve acetic acid during curing, which can lead to rusting.

Suggest only using on non-critical (or protected) surfaces.

If you look hard you can find 'neutral cure' Silicones (typically used in electronics).

[Boiler BriParticipant @boilerbri]

I use the silicone method. never had a problem with rust either.

Such fun!!!!!

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

I use a Dick Smith desoldering tool, those who live in NZ, or Austrailia will know these as a rubber bulb with a Teflon tip, normal use squeaze bulb, tip next to molten solder, let go, solder gone, but just as good as a blower. Ian S C

[Thor 🇳🇴Participant @thor]

Well I get swarf in cap head/grub screws (and every place else), so silicone sealer is something I must try. Is it necessary to oil the inside first so it is possible to extract the plug?

Thor

[Les Jones 1Participant @lesjones1]

Hot melt glue from a glue gun may also work if it contracts enough when it cools.

Les.

[Alex HapgoodParticipant @alexhapgood64562]

I have seen hot melt glue to set a zero clearance insert in a table saw. The area where the glue was to set was first coated with wax then the glue was place in the four spots, let cool a little, then the insert was placed in the still soft glue. The insert was leveled with the table top and after a minute or so the insert was removed leaving the glue attached to the insert with perfect alignment next time it was used. I haven't tried it but a spray on, dry lubricant should also work. As mentioned above silicone does pose a problem in relation to the acid but only while curing. These holes and screws are usually coated with oil or can be, so that would be a barrier to the acid released while the silicone cured.

Alex

[S.D.L.Participant @s-d-l]

So how many would like a share of these to fit M5 cap head if I get a 1000 will split in 100s about £2.60 / 100 inc postage cash in envlope or paypay.

**LINK**

seems a simple solution

Shame they dont do 2.5mm for m5 grub screws then could get right length grub screws and cover.

Steve

[Jeff DaymanParticipant @jeffdayman43397]

Michael W – here's a link to square head screws. They even list metric sizes from M6 up!

**LINK**

These folks have darn near everything in industrial supplies and fasteners, at reasonable prices. Not sure if they ship to UK though.

I have seen some 1/4-20 sq hd setscrews recently in my local hardware store, believe it or not. Might be old stock.

The silicone-in-screwhead recess trick was the standard practice in the 1980's when GM started using Torx head screws on car brake calipers. If any rust built up in the recesses of these highly torqued screws the mechanics could not get them out. The designers compounded the sin by having the heads set in recesses in the castings so you couldn't get vise grips on the head OD either. Lovely. Anyway, mechanics soon learned to fill the screw heads with RTV silicone to keep them operable.

JD

[Anonymous]

I bought some square head screws for my Dickson toolholders from a UK seller on Ebay; not sure if he still lists them. As and when I need some new square head screws for my 4 way toolpost it shouldn't be beyond the wit of man to make some.

Yep, I still use a 4 way toolpost on the centre lathe, even though I've got a genuine Dickson toolpost and holders on the shelf.

Regards,

Andrew

[AndyfParticipant @andyf]

The non-environmentally friendly solution: a butane refill can for cigarette lighters. Insert delivery tube into SHCS or grubscrew, and press down momentarily on base of can. Sfety specs on, or eyes closed.

Andy

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

bluetack & plasticine.

[HomeUseParticipant @homeuse]

Hi Jeff D

Your link gives a plentifull supply of lots of goodies – ? Do they deliver to UK as they are in Atlanta ?

[Jeff DaymanParticipant @jeffdayman43397]

Hi HomeUse – Did you read this line in my post? "Not sure if they ship to UK though."

Those wanting items from McMaster Carr will need to enquire with them directly.

JD

[Gone AwayParticipant @goneaway]

Posted by Jeff Dayman on 16/05/2013 19:10:10:

These folks have darn near everything in industrial supplies and fasteners, at reasonable prices. Not sure if they ship to UK though.

(McMaster-Carr)

Last I tried, they wouldn't even ship to individuals in Canada (for "security reasons" – huh?).

Edited By Sid Herbage on 16/05/2013 22:48:35

[Alan .204Participant @alan-204]

I just use the hover works every time.

Alan.

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

If you google around Harley-Davidson aftermarket accessories you can buy nice chrome caps that pop on and off allen-head bolts in various sizes. I think they are available for metric cruiser bikes too. Pimp that lathe!

Or get the cheaper plastic plugs used on flat pack furniture from a hardware store.

[Author]

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