Loctite 603

[Tim V]

OK, a bit of research shows that Loctite has a shelf life. These days there is a best by date on the bottle.

My bottle is so old that it doesn't have a best by date

Any suggestions as to a supplier? EM stores used to, but it's not listed currently. Eileen's don't list it.

[grovenor-2685]

I got some from RS (formerly Radiospares) just the other week.
Part No. 496-063
Actually this is Loctite 638 retainer which I used to fix a gear to a motor shaft.
If you particularly want 603 you will need to check the part number.
Regards
Keith

[Jol Wilkinson]

Tim,

Squires list 603 (and other Loctite products) in their Tools Catalogue on page 287.

Jol

[JerryO]

A bit of technical information.

Loctite is now produced by Henkel.

Loctite 603 (which replaced 601) is good for Diametrical clearance up to 0.1 mm

Loctite 638 is good for Diametrical clearance up to 0.25 mm. Would be worried if you need this to fix wheels or gears to axles!

Shelf life of Loctite is normally controlled by its uptake of moisture. I use cast offs from my company which are many years old without any problem. As long as cap is kept firmly fitted when stored there should not be a problem. The retention properties that we require in modelling is far less than the intended purpose of the adhesive.

[Tim V]

Thanks for the tips Guys.

[grovenor-2685]

Loctite 638 is good for Diametrical clearance up to 0.25 mm. Would be worried if you need this to fix wheels or gears to axles!

I don't suppose I needed it but it worked, and its available as a 3ml tube for less than £2 whilst 603 seems to mean buying 10ml and splashing out over £7, although there is an RS 'own brand' for half that.
Regards
Keith

[craig_whilding]

Ultrascale sell it:
http://www.ultrascale.co.uk/mis0001.php
though RS is cheaper:
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/sear ... &R=0693854

It does seem less effective if its not a new bottle. If 638 is available in small tubes and works I may get some of that in future for small batches of wheels.

[nigelcliffe]

There are equivalents from a number of makers, certainly adequate for model making applications. The stuff is used to hold bits of big commercial machinery together, so model making is trivial in loads and conditions.

As alternative similar product, I assemble the drop-in replacement wheelsets for converting Farish diesels to 2mm finescale using a Rite-Lok RT38 from 3M, bought from J&L Industrial. I put 50 axles together today, and have another 200 waiting on the bench.

[David Thorpe]

BearingBoys (http://www.bearingboys.co.uk) do a wide range of Loctite adhesives and retainers in various sizes. They also do the cheaper Trulock equivalents, which they claim to be as good. Beware, however - their quoted prices don't include VAT and so aren't quite as cheap as they initially seem.

DT

[Tim V]

Umm yes, I spotted Bearing Boys, exclusive of VAT plus postage.