I have just about completed building my Avistar. First Nitro plane and as I get ready to fly, with instructor, should I use thread locker on the connectons to the rods for rudder, ailerons, elevator and throttle and the servos. For that matter, should I use it on all the bolts and nuts.

Thanks,

I use rc56 canopy glue as thread locker. I have done this for 20+ years on servo arms, nuts, wheel collar set screws, etc. Never had anything come loose. The best part abt it is, it does not dry hard, so taking it back apart is not to bad at all.

For muffler bolts I use high-temp silicone as a thread locker.

Good luck and CONGRATS on your first nitro plane.

pcm.

I wouldn't use thread lock on control clevises. You'll want to adjust them for trim. You should put a piece of fuel tubing over the clevis to keep it closed.

I use thread lock on things like wheel collars, engine mounting bolts - anything that could cause serious damage if it were to come loose.

I don't use it on the screws that hold the engine together, but I re-tighten them the first time the engine gets hot. They usually stay tight after they've been tightened hot.

Good luck

Easy rule of thumb

Metal to Metal use Loctite
Metal to Plastic Do not use Loctite

I use jam nuts on my metal clevis, nothing on plastic (fuel tubing to keep the clevis closed if the clevis doesn't have another positive way of doing it)

Using a short piece of fuel tubing to keep a clevice closed assumes you have never seen a piece of fuel tubing split. Or that it will not split while your plane is in the air and allow your clevice to open. Wake up! Fuel fuel tubing splits all of the time. On a clevice it is under much greater strain. I keep seeing people replace the short piece of tubing when it splits with another short piece of tubing. Where is the common sense? There are much better ways to prevent the clevice from opening.

Villa is right - it has split on me.
What I do is use thin wire (like the wire that is used to close a loaf of bread) as scale safety wire. I wrap it around the clevis (making sure it does not interfere with the deflection) to hold it closed. I have been using that for some time now and have not had any problems.

WHen you use the RC56 do you put it on the threads and then tighten or do you just put a small drop on the outside?? My Hobby SHop does not carry any engine silicone. THey suggested an auto shop. Where did you get your high-temp silicone and how do you use it on the muffles bolts??

Thanks,

Well, here's one thread locker at work: (Last post)

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_68..._5/key_/tm.htm

Just be sure not to put any thread lock on the prop nut

Austin

I put rc56 on the threads and then tighten. I also use a toothpick and place a small drop on the outside.

On the muffler bolts I put in on the threads and tighten.

pcm.