Bathroom faucet handles loose

[Higgs Boson]

New (less than a year) bathroom sink installed. I wanted two white porcelain handles, which I got. But can't find receipt to give mfr. name! Couldn't find exact photo on-line, but this may not matter?

Handles get loose all the time and have to be screwed tight.

QUESTION: Is there a downside to gluing/fastening those puppies shut so they won't keep coming unscrewed?

If it's OK, what is recommended product?

TIA

HB

[WW]

"Higgs Boson" wrote in message
news:56446519-665c-4357...@googlegroups.com...

I would use clear silicone. That would keep the screw tight BUT it could
also be removed if needed. WW

[Stormin Mormon]

Sorry to hear. Quality of manufacturing is suffering.

Downside of gluing the handles on, is when you need to get them apart for service, such as changing a faucet washer. I'd try low strength Locktite.
.
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
.
"Higgs Boson" <hypa...@gmail.com> wrote in message news:56446519-665c-4357...@googlegroups.com...

[Frank]

I discovered that they did sell a permanent and non-permanent type a few
years ago. Everybody might not know this.

[dadiOH]

Nothing too strong. A drop of varnish, lacquer, nail polish etc. will
usually suffice.



--

dadiOH
____________________________

Winters getting colder? Tired of the rat race?
Taxes out of hand? Maybe just ready for a change?
Check it out... http://www.floridaloghouse.net

[Stormin Mormon]

Aparently, the OP bought the non permanant
faucet handles?

Loctite comes in red, blue, and some other
color. Red is permanant, I think. Blue, if I
remember, is the removable type.

.
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
.

"Frank" <frankdo...@comcast.net>
wrote in message news:kpf01o$3ct$1...@dont-email.me...

> Downside of gluing the handles on, is when
> you need to get them apart for service, such as
> changing a faucet washer. I'd try low strength
> Locktite.

[Stormin Mormon]

Wow, I thought I was the only person who
used nail polish for threadlock. I call it "female
thread lock". I've had customers ask why I have
finger nail polish in my tool box, on the top
tray.

.
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
.

"dadiOH" <dad...@invalid.com> wrote in message news:kpf34b$l7v$1...@dont-email.me...

[recycl...@gmail.com]

If you have those universal handles with the set screws they always get loose. I try to stay away from using them as much as possible.

[Higgs Boson]

Wish I could, but they are on the only sink in the only bathroom in the house.

HB

[Higgs Boson]

On Thursday, June 13, 2013 5:09:48 PM UTC-7, Higgs Boson wrote:

Thanks to all for suggestions.

1. Is Locktite removable if necessary? If so, what is the solvent?

2. Same for clear nail polish. I assume the solvent is polish remover?

3. Went to Locktite site and got another idea. What about wrapping in plumber's/electrician's thread tape?

Together, our giant minds will lick this one yet!

HB

[tra...@optonline.net]

On Jun 14, 9:01 am, "Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61**NOJUN...@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> Aparently, the OP bought the non permanant
> faucet handles?
>
> Loctite comes in red, blue, and some other
> color. Red is permanant, I think. Blue, if I
> remember, is the removable type.
> .

That is correct. Blue is the easier to remove strength.
Red isn't really permanent, just takes a lot more force.
Blue would be fine for this. I use it on my snowboard
mounting screws. Keeps them from coming out, but they
still come out readily with a screwdriver.

[tra...@optonline.net]

On Jun 14, 4:14 pm, Higgs Boson <hypati...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Thursday, June 13, 2013 5:09:48 PM UTC-7, Higgs Boson wrote:
> > New (less than a year) bathroom sink installed.  I wanted two white porcelain handles, which I got.  But can't find receipt to give mfr. name!  Couldn't find exact photo on-line, but this may not matter?
>
> > Handles get loose all the time and have to be screwed tight.
>
> > QUESTION:  Is there a downside to gluing/fastening those puppies shut so they won't keep coming unscrewed?
>
> > If it's OK, what is recommended product?
>
> > TIA
>
> > HB
>
> Thanks to all for suggestions.
>
> 1.  Is Locktite removable if necessary?  If so, what is the solvent?
>

Yes. Use the lower strength blue. There is no solvent,
it just helps bind the threads and you remove as usual
with a screwdriver.

> 2.  Same for clear nail polish.  I assume the solvent is polish remover?

That will probably work too and again, no solvent required.

>
> 3.  Went to Locktite site and got another idea.  What about wrapping in plumber's/electrician's thread tape?

Wrapping what? The screw or the stem before the
handle goes on? Screw for sure isn't going to work.
Loctite/polish on the screw threads is way to go.

[Higgs Boson]

***The stem. Thought it would create enuff friction to keep it tight.-

> Locktite: Why COLORS? Can't visualize. Why color something that will not be seen? Straight q.

Nail polish on the screw threads is way to go.

You said no solvent required to remove nail polish ???? Sure is required to get it off nails! Clarification, pls, TIA.

HB

OK, how many votes for Locktite and how many for nail polish?-

[WW]

"Higgs Boson" wrote in message

news:7e949ab3-9837-4adf...@googlegroups.com...

I vote for neither. As I said in first reply, Clear silicone. You cannot see
it but easy to remove and works good. I also use it on slip joint drain
pipes with gasket. Seals good but can be taken apart easy. WW

[tra...@optonline.net]

On Jun 14, 6:03 pm, Higgs Boson <hypati...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Friday, June 14, 2013 1:51:49 PM UTC-7, tra...@optonline.net wrote:
> > On Jun 14, 4:14 pm, Higgs Boson <hypati...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > On Thursday, June 13, 2013 5:09:48 PM UTC-7, Higgs Boson wrote:
>
> > > > New (less than a year) bathroom sink installed.  I wanted two white porcelain handles, which I got.  But can't find receipt to give mfr. name!  Couldn't find exact photo on-line, but this may not matter?
>
> > > > Handles get loose all the time and have to be screwed tight.
>
> > > > QUESTION:  Is there a downside to gluing/fastening those puppies shut so they won't keep coming unscrewed?
>
> > > > If it's OK, what is recommended product?
>
> > > > TIA
>
> > > > HB
>
> > > Thanks to all for suggestions.
>
> > > 1.  Is Locktite removable if necessary?  If so, what is the solvent?
>
> > Yes.  Use the lower strength blue.  There is no solvent,
>
> > it just helps bind the threads and you remove as usual
>
> > with a screwdriver.
>
> > > 2.  Same for clear nail polish.  I assume the solvent is polish remover?
>
> > That will probably work too and again, no solvent required.
>
> > > 3.  Went to Locktite site and got another idea.  What about wrapping in plumber's/electrician's thread tape?
>
> > Wrapping what?  The screw or the stem before the handle goes on?  Screw for sure isn't going to work.
>
> ***The stem.  Thought it would create enuff friction to keep it tight.-
>
> > Locktite:  Why COLORS?  Can't visualize.  Why color something that will not be seen?  Straight q.
>

They are two different strength products. Red is high strength.
Blue is regular strength. They color them different so mechanics
can tell them apart and use the right one.

> Nail polish on the screw threads is way to go.
>
> You said no solvent required to remove nail polish ????   Sure is required to get it off nails!  Clarification, pls, TIA.
>
> HB

You put the Loctite or naipolish on the THREADS OF THE SCREWS.
You use a screwdriver to take the screws out. The Loctite just binds
it up so that it can't come out as easily, ie it won't loosen up. I
would
not put loctite on the shaft of the faucet. If solvent were required
to get
it apart, I don't know how you'd get the solvent into where it needs
to
go.



>
> OK, how many votes for Locktite and how many for nail polish?-- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I know Loctite works because that's what it's made for. Nailpolish
is a similar idea. How much it holds vs nailpolish, IDK.

[dadiOH]

Higgs Boson wrote:

> Nail polish on the screw threads is way to go.
>
> You said no solvent required to remove nail polish ???? Sure is
> required to get it off nails! Clarification, pls, TIA.

Neither it nor the others I suggested will resist a screwdriver. The
solvent for nail polish is acerone (nail po;ish remover); lacquer thinner
would probably do it too.

[hrho...@sbcglobal.net]

I vote for using nail polish, that saves a trip to the store for the
locktite. IF Locktite, I would use the blue, the red may be too
strong to be able to remove the handles without damaging the
screwdriver slot. But if the handles will not need to be removed for
as long as you are in the house, then go for the red loctite.

[nestork]

Another option is to use an old plumber's trick.

When replacing a washer on a cartridge stem, often the soft rubber
washer compresses too much in the middle before the screw actually
tightens up.

So, around here it was common for plumbers to put the brass bibb screw
through the washer and then use a pair of side cutters to muck up the
screw threads immediately on the back side of the washer. That way, as
soon as the screw was starting to compress the washer, the mucked up
male threads on the bibb screw would enter the female threads of the
spindle and the screw would get significantly tighter. That is
sufficiently tight to hold the washer firmly in place, but without
compressing the middle of the washer all out of shape.

I'm thinking the solution might be to use brass faucet handle screws
instead of the stainless steel ones the faucet probably came with, and
simply use a pair of wire cutters to muck up the threads of the brass
screw only a little. That way, the screw might be a little harder to
turn in and out of the spindle, but it won't turn by itself, and
therefore the faucet handles won't loosen up.

And, that solution sidesteps Higgs Boson's concern about how to remove
the nail polish or Loctite if desired cuz there won't be any nail polish
or Loctite invoved.

Any place that sells fasteners will stock or be able to order brass
screws for you.




--
nestork

[Higgs Boson]

Wow, thanks, guys for these hugely educational comments! Let's hear it for plumbers -- one step down from god.

But, Nestork, remember this is a family group! The below could be read several ways, depending on the depravity of the reader's mind.

*** That way, as soon as the screw was starting to compress the washer, the mucked up male threads on the bibb screw would enter the female threads of the

spindle and the screw would get significantly tighter. That is
sufficiently tight to hold the washer firmly in place, but without

compressing the middle of the washer all out of shape.***

HB





> --
>
> nestork

[tra...@optonline.net]

Deliberately buggering up the threads on screws that fasten
a faucet handle sounds like a bad idea to me.

[21bla...@gmail.com]

take a digital camera photo, and upload it here:

http://imgur.com/

no registration, no email needed, nothing

all you do is upload off your computer
[love this site]

marc

[The Daring Dufas]

I wonder if some sort of hot-melt glue would work? If the handles are
all metal, they could be heated up and hot-melt applied to the inside
and a small butane torch could be used to carefully heat them for
removal. I've used several types of hot-melt glue in the past and I seem
to remember some that worked well on metal. ^_^

TDD

[nestork]

'tra...@optonline.net[_2_ Wrote:
> ;3078707']

> Deliberately buggering up the threads on screws that fasten
> a faucet handle sounds like a bad idea to me.
>

Sure, at the first glance it does look like you're causing damage.

But, how often do you need to remove that screw? Once ever 10 years to
replace the washer?

If you can get 10 years of service out of that faucet without having the
handles loosen up before you have to pay another 12 cents for two more
brass screws to last another 10 years, that's not an idea I would
dismiss out of hand.

And, both the screws and the spindles can be replaced for a few dollars,
so it's not like you can't get back to the original situation if you
wanted to.




--
nestork

[tra...@optonline.net]

On Jun 15, 3:19 pm, nestork <nestork.c028...@diybanter.com> wrote:

> 'trad...@optonline.net[_2_ Wrote:
>
> > ;3078707']
> > Deliberately buggering up the threads on screws that fasten
> > a faucet handle sounds like a bad idea to me.
>
> Sure, at the first glance it does look like you're causing damage.

It not only looks like you're causing damage, you are.

>
> But, how often do you need to remove that screw?  Once ever 10 years to
> replace the washer?

How about if you bugger it up and you don't get it
together to begin with? It only takes once for it to
be a problem.

>
> If you can get 10 years of service out of that faucet without having the
> handles loosen up before you have to pay another 12 cents for two more
> brass screws to last another 10 years, that's not an idea I would
> dismiss out of hand.
>
> And, both the screws and the spindles can be replaced for a few dollars,
> so it's not like you can't get back to the original situation if you
> wanted to.
>
> --
> nestork

Assuming said spindle is still available 10 years later.....
Even then, good luck with finding it and it only costing
a few dollars. Loctite on the other hand only costs a
few dollars and is readily available.

[Higgs Boson]

On Saturday, June 15, 2013 10:50:27 AM UTC-7, 21bla...@gmail.com wrote:
> take a digital camera photo, and upload it here:
>
>
>
> http://imgur.com/
>
>
>
> no registration, no email needed, nothing
>

> ??? They DID require a registration -- unless I'm reading site wrong?
Seems kinda glitzy & pop with all those weird pix jumping out at you.

Also concerned about privacy (sob!).

>
> all you do is upload off your computer

I did, and it went through, but I would still appreciate your input re: registration.

TIA

HB


>
> [love this site]
>
>
>
> marc

[TomR]

I use http://tinypic.com and it works well -- no registration.

[21bla...@gmail.com]

Tinypic looks like it "may" be ok, also

haven't tried it

marc

[21bla...@gmail.com]

i've tried Imgur a few times, with no problems

[never asked for registration]

marc