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Thread: Thread Lock... Which is best for a laptop?

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    Seething Cauldron of Hatred TheAnimus's Avatar
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    Thread Lock... Which is best for a laptop?

    So jokes about threads and forums aside, a quick search on Amazon shows many different kinds of thread lock.

    I figured I'd ask here, anyone know which ones a good buy to be able to put on the fiddly laptop screws? I'm replacing the SSD in my 'go to' laptop, which gets a lot of use, as such I'd rather do it properly, don't want them coming loose. Recommendations welcomed, ones that include Amazon prime more so
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    Senior Member Bonebreaker777's Avatar
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    Re: Thread Lock... Which is best for a laptop?

    In my workplace we use Loctite Threadlock (depends in combination with what kind of plastic which version we use). Nough said.

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    The late but legendary peterb - Onward and Upward peterb's Avatar
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    Re: Thread Lock... Which is best for a laptop?

    Is it metal to metal? You want a low strength lock - that will stop the threads from vibrating loose, but still allow them to be removed.

    But, in all honesty, you don't really need it. I have never had a problem with HDDs working loose, and an SSD has no vibration at all.

    But if you do want to use some, then loctite 222 would be the one I'd use.

    http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/pipe-t...lants/0514509/

    If its metal to plastic, then the choice is harder, it then depends on the type of plastic. If its soft plastic, then it really doesn't mater as that tends to have a good grip anyway. Hard plastic like ABS is harder to lock because most adhesives don't stick to it very well.
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    DILLIGAF GoNz0's Avatar
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    Re: Thread Lock... Which is best for a laptop?

    We are told to use Loctite 248 for Toshiba and Samsung, Toshiba being the laptop repairs so thats about as good as it gets for advice from the manufacturer.

    New screws come with a little of it pre applied.

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    Re: Thread Lock... Which is best for a laptop?

    Loctite 248 is a higher strength (harder to remove should you want to) and is a stick (bit like a prit stick) - 222 is a liquid and lower strength.

    http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/pipe-t...lants/4804070/

    LOCTITE® 222 is designed for the locking and sealing of
    threaded fasteners which require easy disassembly with
    standard hand tools. The product cures when confined in the
    absence of air between close fitting metal surfaces and
    prevents loosening and leakage from shock and vibration.
    Particularly suitable for applications such as adjustment of
    set screws, small diameter or long engagement length
    fasteners, where easy disassembly is required without
    shearing the screw.
    LOCTITE® 248™ is a medium strength anaerobic
    threadlocking material. It is supplied as a wax-like semi-solid,
    conveniently packaged in a self-feeding stick applicator. As
    with liquid anaerobic products, this material develops its cured
    properties in the absence of air when confined between close
    fitting metal surfaces. It achieves consistent strength and can
    be used on a variety of metal substrates. It is particularly well
    suited for applications where a liquid product may be too fluid
    to stay on a part or be difficult to apply. It stores easily and
    allows for direct contact to a threaded part during application to
    ensure even coverage.
    (Extracts taken from the mfrs data sheets on the RS website)
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    Re: Thread Lock... Which is best for a laptop?

    blue is used because of the small surface area, you only dot the screw on the tube to get a little bit on the end of the thread, thats all you need.

    Start using liquids on a 2x8 laptop screw and the blob you get will coat the whole thing and not the tip.

    This is why I went and got a decent set of Wera micro screwdrivers so I can crack free the screws used during assembly.

    The new screws I order for missing parts have blue on them, not purple and I have never seen a red :|

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    Re: Thread Lock... Which is best for a laptop?

    Quote Originally Posted by GoNz0 View Post
    blue is used because of the small surface area, you only dot the screw on the tube to get a little bit on the end of the thread, thats all you need.

    Start using liquids on a 2x8 laptop screw and the blob you get will coat the whole thing and not the tip.

    This is why I went and got a decent set of Wera micro screwdrivers so I can crack free the screws used during assembly.

    The new screws I order for missing parts have blue on them, not purple and I have never seen a red :|
    Yes, that makes sense, although I've never really felt the need to use threadlock on laptop screws. Agree with you over a set a good quality micro screwdrivers though - worth their weight etc etc..

    Fracom are pretty good too.
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    DDY
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    Re: Thread Lock... Which is best for a laptop?

    Loctite 248 isn't that strong, I've covered entire M2x10 bolts in 243 which is the medium strength liquid and still didn't have trouble removing them. Not that I recommend the liquid, the stick is much easier to use.

    I seldom use thread lock on laptops but I certainly think there is a case for it. I've worked on many laptops that have loose hinge screws and have worked on a number that have one or a few screws missing.

    As for a recommendation, Loctite 248 all the way.

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    Re: Thread Lock... Which is best for a laptop?

    Quote Originally Posted by DDY View Post
    Loctite 248 isn't that strong, I've covered entire M2x10 bolts in 243 which is the medium strength liquid and still didn't have trouble removing them. Not that I recommend the liquid, the stick is much easier to use.

    I seldom use thread lock on laptops but I certainly think there is a case for it. I've worked on many laptops that have loose hinge screws and have worked on a number that have one or a few screws missing.

    As for a recommendation, Loctite 248 all the way.
    So true, black screws tend not to have it, silver screws as DDY says are used with threadlock pre applied and tend to be on the hinges and other high stress areas. If the screw is into plastic as Peter says, it will not need thread lock anyway as the plastic deforms to lock. screws that go into brass inserts also tend not to have it as the brass must do the same job.

    Most laptops are designed to not allow loose screws to go flying round the motherboard but no guarantee.

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    Re: Thread Lock... Which is best for a laptop?

    Quote Originally Posted by DDY View Post
    I seldom use thread lock on laptops but I certainly think there is a case for it. I've worked on many laptops that have loose hinge screws and have worked on a number that have one or a few screws missing.
    I personally think this is the most relevant thing.
    Unless you're replacing the drive regularly then you don't need thread lock for the drive, ether the screws that hold the drive in or the drive bay cover

    A lot will depend on part on the laptop and how you get to the drive, the most common type is cover that only covers the hard drive,it will usually have a simple slide latch that actually holds it on and a single screw (often contained by a clip washer)
    That single screw doesn't hold the cover on it stops it being slid to unlatch it, as such there is no twisting or pulling force on the screw that would cause it to loosen, so no need for thread lock.

    Hinge screws are the most common screws on a laptop to have issues as there is a lot of twisting or pull force applied to them every time you move the lid/screen.

    Never had any issues with the screw that hold the drive into the cage, most laptops use a simple metal cage, the cage then generally slide locks into place again with a single screw, or sometimes two screws, that lock it in place to stop it sliding back and unlocking.
    Again like the bay cover they often don't bother with thread lock because these screws are not being pulled or twisted.

    The places you do see thread lock being used are the ones that hold the case together because these do have pulling pressure on them.

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    Re: Thread Lock... Which is best for a laptop?

    I should point out, it's not the drive, it's for the laptop!

    To get to it, you've got to take it mostly appart, all the bottom case holding screws. This laptop has a rough, rough life, it gets squished a lot, dropped at least once every 6 months (that's how it got a dead pixel!) and such. It's the gimp of my laptops.

    As such I think LOCTITE 222 is the best bet, it's magnesium alloy casing, sometimes plastic holders.

    Thanks guys
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