How to quickly make a self-locking nut

A self-locking nut is a very useful thing, especially when you need to fix a component or assembly that is subject to dynamic loads. A simple connection under the influence of vibration will quickly weaken and begin to unscrew, which is fraught with various emergency situations.
How to quickly make a self-locking nut

Standard methods to prevent threaded connections from loosening


There are several practice-tested ways to protect threads from unwinding:
  • Screwing on a lock nut, which can be either a regular nut or a special clamp nut designed for this purpose.
  • Using a spring washer.
  • Applying a compound - a special glue - to the threaded connection.
  • Use of a self-locking nut with a nylon or polyamide locking ring.

But there are situations when you need to make a non-loosening connection, but there is no suitable product, or there is no room on the bolt for a locknut. You can proceed as follows.

Lifehack


To make a self-locking nut you will need the following materials:
  1. Actually, a bolt and nut that needs to be locked.
  2. Electrical heat shrink tubing.
  3. Heat source (a regular lighter will do).
  4. Spanners.

Technology


The essence of the life hack is as follows:
  1. We put the heat shrink tube on the bolt with a small “tail”.
    How to quickly make a self-locking nut

    How to quickly make a self-locking nut

  2. We heat it so that it shrinks and tightly grips the thread; the “tail” should remain: it will serve as a guide for the nut.
    How to quickly make a self-locking nut

  3. We put the nut on the tube and begin to tighten it. It should go very tightly, so you need to use the keys from the first turn.
    How to quickly make a self-locking nut

  4. The thread will cut off the “tail” of the tube and it will fall off.
    How to quickly make a self-locking nut

As the nut goes over the bolt, the tube material fills the threads, so the effect is the same as using a nut with a press-fit nylon ring.
Tests have shown that the nut fits securely and does not unscrew due to vibration. If it is necessary to unscrew the connection, this is done in the usual manner using a wrench and the necessary force.
Note! This method works for bolts with a diameter of at least M8, since with a smaller diameter of the heat-shrinkable tube it does not provide sufficient force to ensure reliable fixation.
We hope that home craftsmen will appreciate this simple, quick and convenient way to fix a threaded connection.
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Comments (32)
  1. Guest Victor
    #1 Guest Victor Guests 26 August 2018 12:49
    8
    It’s easier to buy a self-locking one
  2. Paul
    #2 Paul Guests 26 August 2018 13:35
    0
    Why do you need a lighter?
    1. Maxpower
      #3 Maxpower Guests 29 August 2018 15:03
      0
      Instead of a hairdryer)
  3. Alexander Borodaev
    #4 Alexander Borodaev Guests 26 August 2018 14:10
    14
    Not the best way. If the thread is not loosened, the heat shrink will simply squeeze out, since the gap in a metric thread is only a few hundredths of a millimeter. If from time to time there is a need to fix a thread, then it is better to buy an ABRO or MANNOL thread locker. I use blue fastener for detachable connections, last bought about five years ago, fixed several hundred threads and no problems. The consumption is one drop, it has never come loose, if necessary, you can always disassemble the connection, the thread is like new after disassembly. If this is a one-time job or 200 rubles is a pity, then any glue you have, or even nail polish, will help.
  4. Timur
    #5 Timur Guests 26 August 2018 15:07
    9
    Wouldn't it be easier to just tighten the nut and then use heat shrink on top of the thread (and the nut)? And will work with almost any bolt diameter
  5. Ghent
    #6 Ghent Guests 26 August 2018 15:22
    5
    everything must be done according to GOST
  6. Bulat
    #7 Bulat Guests 26 August 2018 16:56
    17
    Complete f... just tighten the nut and apply a drop of paint to the thread.
  7. Mikhail Vardas
    #8 Mikhail Vardas Guests 26 August 2018 17:18
    1
    Thank you this is the right thing
  8. Dmitriy
    #9 Dmitriy Guests August 27, 2018 03:29
    2
    TS, you forgot to specify how much the heat-shrinkable casing costs.For this reason, not every electrician has it. If there is no room on the stud for the locknut (the most reliable way), you can unscrew the nut around the thread. Except for hard-to-reach places where you can’t swing a hammer.
  9. Axel Fouly
    #10 Axel Fouly Guests August 27, 2018 04:22
    16
    Spring washer?! Is the everyday word “grower” no longer in honour? Then write the full name - Grover spring split washer...
  10. Guest Sergey
    #11 Guest Sergey Guests August 27, 2018 07:12
    13
    The essence of the life hack...
    Is that all you need to say in Russian? Not enough brains? Or you want to show off your super development.