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SkiprJohn · 30-04-2015, 19:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toaster

Check out the latest Practical Sailor and look at Brion Toss's article. He mentions that it is important to fill the fitting with something like 3M 4000, and that this is not typically in the instructions that come with the fitting.

Brion writes:
"This prevents the intrusion of both air and water, so that the
terminal will not suffer from either crevice corrosion,
oxidation, or chloride corrosion."

I suspect that Locktite in this case is just another anti-seize, anti-gall, anti-corrosion (take your pick) application. I use it, but I suspect Loctite's biggest benefit is that it makes me feel safer than an anti-seize goop because I imagine the anti-seize goop might come undone.

Toaster

Toaster

I used 5200

belizesailor · 30-04-2015, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toaster

Check out the latest Practical Sailor and look at Brion Toss's article. He mentions that it is important to fill the fitting with something like 3M 4000, and that this is not typically in the instructions that come with the fitting.
...

And its a common practice of many riggers, as is Loktite on the threads, but interestingly is not included in Sta-Loks' official instructions.

I watched a former America's Cup rigger assemble some Sta-Loks last year and that's what he did too.

MooGroc · 30-04-2015, 20:21

I re-rigged my boat with sta-loc's this winter. They did come with some very light coating on the threads. I bet it is something to prevent galling. I didn't make any effort to remove it before adding lock tight.

I also didn't add any caulking or silicone. The instructions didn't say to add it and I understand SS off is best when exposed to air.

**GordMay** · 01-05-2015, 05:25

The Sta-Lok instructions specify the use of (both):
Life Calk
&
Loctite #242 Blue or #241 Blue or Loctite #277 Red

“... Put a couple of drops of Loctite on the starting threads when first assembling the terminal. This Loctite will act as a lubricant and will insure that the threads will not gall. This Loctite will also insure that the terminal will not loosen after the final assembly. The Loctite will not setup until the terminal is closed as it is anaerobic. (Only sets up in the absence of air.)...”

“... THE FINAL ASSEMBLY
Fill the cavity of the terminal's body about ½ full of Boat Life and place a few drops of the Loctite on the threads...”

“... RIGGER NOTES
1. The Loctite secures the fitting.
2. Wipe off any excess Loctite and Boat-Life and the project is finished!...”

See Steps 4 & 6 ➥ Sailing Services - Sta-Lok Assembly Instructions

Crazer · 01-05-2015, 05:36

The response I got from Sta-Lok confirms what we already knew, that it is anti-seize and that it will have to be removed if Loctite is to be used. Interesting that they have started doing this after how ever many years.

MooGroc · 01-05-2015, 05:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by GordMay

The Sta-Lok instructions specify the use of (both):
Life Calk
&
Loctite #242 Blue or #241 Blue or Loctite #277 Red

“... Put a couple of drops of Loctite on the starting threads when first assembling the terminal. This Loctite will act as a lubricant and will insure that the threads will not gall. This Loctite will also insure that the terminal will not loosen after the final assembly. The Loctite will not setup until the terminal is closed as it is anaerobic. (Only sets up in the absence of air.)...”

“... THE FINAL ASSEMBLY
Fill the cavity of the terminal's body about ½ full of Boat Life and place a few drops of the Loctite on the threads...”

“... RIGGER NOTES
1. The Loctite secures the fitting.
2. Wipe off any excess Loctite and Boat-Life and the project is finished!...”

See Steps 4 & 6 ➥ Sailing Services - Sta-Lok Assembly Instructions

Those don't seem like instructions from Sta-loc. Just from some rigging shop.

Can anyone come up a reference to instructions from Sta-loc that call for caulking or silicone?

belizesailor · 01-05-2015, 14:35

Don't see any official instructions on the StaLok site. I assume they push support out to their distributors. I do have instructions from Sailing Services, a StaLok distributor, which mention Loktite and polysulfide sealant. Copy attached.

belizesailor · 01-05-2015, 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Don't see any official instructions on the StaLok site. I assume they push support out to their distributors. I do have instructions from Sailing Services, a StaLok distributor, which mention Loktite and polysulfide sealant. Copy attached.

Doh! Just looked at Gordy's post...also instructions from Sailing Services, just newer than mine.

I thought I had older instructions from StaLok, but I can't find a copy of them.

**Wotname** · 01-05-2015, 16:19

It's probably decade back when I last purchased new StaLoks. They came with instructions IIRC and these did NOT mention anything about using Loctite or any sealant.

For better or worse I used Loctite as I use this on almost everything I want to stay done up.

Sealant seems to make sense but I didn't think of it at the time. I note that many advise it but have yet to see any reference dirsect from StaLok to it's use.

Crazer · 04-05-2015, 10:07

I started assembling the terminals and two of the four I have assembled so far have about 5mm of thread showing while the other two have 7-8mm of thread showing. Is this normal? I did take a little extra care on the two later ones (the 7-8mm ones) to ensure that 1/8 in of core was protruding from the cones. Is it worth worrying about the descrepency?

**Wotname** · 04-05-2015, 14:59

Is it worth worrying about?
Dunno, but I would want mind to be the same - within say 1 mm.
So I would check the ones I took less care with but maybe that is just me

.

NahanniV · 04-05-2015, 15:07

I'm not sure what size wire you are using but, I would want to know why there is a difference.

Did you put sealant inside? If not, you can just take it apart and have a look; I don't think you have to replace the cone unless you remove it from the wire.

Did you check for a strand in the slot in the cone ?

Did you use Locktite to lubricate the threads ?

Crazer · 04-05-2015, 21:13

Yes to all the above. Loctite, sealant and no strand in the slot. By the fourth one I was extremely vigilant since the third one had come out different. The wire is 7/32, and the two 5mm fittings are 1/2 in eye fittings. The other two are 7/16 eyes. The terminals, however, are indentical except for the actual eye itself so that doesn't account for it. I wrote Sta-Lok and hope to hear back from them soon with an official answer. I guess I question how much it affects the overall strength of the fitting and don't want to have to take apart (and clean and reassemble) the fitting without being sure its necessary.