I would like to try Loctite 222MS threadlocker compound, as an alternative to blue medium-duty for use with smaller fasteners.
I ordered from an industrial supplier a few months ago, and it arrived leaking. I asked for and received a refund.
I ordered from Zoro last week, and the tube they sent me has a sell-by date of 1/26.
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Is this because I ordered the mil-spec 222MS over the 222? I did that because it’s less expensive.
So, where would you buy something like this from, with high chance of freshness and low risk of poor packaging?
Maybe I’ll try McMaster Carr next.
Jared
Have you tried Amazon? It might be a situation where you get the best price and freshest product from the retailer moving the highest volume.
It’s available to me that way in Canada.
Stuart
I have had too many mishaps with Amazon shipping things in thin bags. Items have arrived damaged and leaking. I no longer trust them for things like this.
They have the 222ms 10ml from a 3rd party seller, which I trust even less since there’s never indication of where they’re getting the supplies from.
https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-22221-Purple-Strength-Thread/dp/B006GOL5CQ/?tag=toolguyd-20
Maybe I’ll give the 6ml a try from Amazon.
Peter Wright
Have you tried a company Stuck Nutz? Loctite alternative that doesn’t close trails to recreational users
Josh R
Have you tried Amazon? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002KKTT0
Stuart
Thanks! I’ve long completely dismissed Amazon for things like this. Maybe it’s worth giving them another chance.
I’m sure it’ll arrive in plastic bag packaging, but maybe the plastic blister pack will help protect it.
Nick S.
I ordered the 50ML size over the summer from Amazon to use when assembling a truck bed rack. Wanted to ensure nothing backed out from the road vibrations, but that I could still disassemble it if needed.
The 222 worked well for what I needed – and no issue with Amazon’s delivery. I have found that if I have liquid products, or things I’m worried about, ordering them individually (so they ship individually) is the best way.
The few problems I’ve had are typically caused by the other items in the package (i.e. ordering this along with a hard-cover book, which both get thrown in a box where the book (or other heavy object) becomes a battering ram smashing the more fragile stuff.
Andy Y
My work orders it from Hisco, Inc.
https://www.hisco.com/Product/135334-30769?option=135334-30769
MM
I prefer to buy loctite from local MRO or fastener shops, that way I can check the date before I buy. However, the purple stuff is very hard to find.
I have tried it before, I didn’t notice much of a difference vs. blue. And this is so obvious that many people overlook it: you are in control of how much you use. If you think that blue might be too strong for a given application you can always apply less of it. I’ve even used Red for temporary assemblies and small fasteners before in a pinch–if you apply a tiny little bit then it is undone with hand tools just like blue. Another tip to remember is that loctite is weakened with heat. If you are working with small fasteners you can use a soldering iron or a micro torch to quickly defeat the loctite.
The one that I find is interesting and worth trying if you haven’t yet, is the green “wicking grade” #290. That one is easily found, auto parts stores stock it, so does every industrial fastener or MRO shop.
Stuart
Thanks, that’s a good point. I’ve seen dot-like blobs of blue threadlocker on small set screws and fasteners before.
243 is an upgrade over 242, but I still use 242 because it’s lower strength. Maybe just more controlled and sparing application could avoid the need to seek out low strength purple.
Jared
Excellent note. I do the same myself. I’ve never bothered with low strength on the premise that I can just use a dab of the medium if I want less hold.
For Stuart’s intended use, he would have to be pretty careful with the applicator, depending on just how small his fasteners actually are. E.g. I use a dab of blue on lots of motorcycle hardware (usually M5 or M6) that I know will be removed or adjusted later. However, if it’s micro-sized fasteners (like on pocket knives), it can be hard not to apply too much. You can just wipe it off when that happens, but obviously that approach is wasteful and messy.
I guess I’m not saying anything different, just agreeing with both of you.
Jerry
O’rielleys, RockAuto, etc has it I think.
Honestly, for something like loctite, where it can leak in shipping, I’d rather just go get a tube at the store. Not sure Home Depot would have it, but ACE should, as would about any auto parts store.
Stuart
I haven’t seen the purple at any stores near me. It looks like some auto parts stores might have Permatex instead.
Travis
I used to get it from our local Fastenal location.
James
Agreed on varying the application volume and reducing the number of SKUs you need. We buy our Loctite on Amazon….other than the moral quandary of using Amazon which I shamefully ignore, we’ve had no issue.
Vince
Look at Vibra-tite VC-3. Gamechanger
Nicholas Ranella
I have terrible luck with their glass bottles welding themselves closed, I stopped buying it for that reason.
Jordan
Grainger.
May be able to pick it up in a physical store if you have one near by
rob masek
Have you called zoro (grainger) cs yet? They are usually pretty helpful.
Stuart
Yes – they’ll provide a refund, but I’m still a bit disappointed.
TomD
Grainger for local pickup could be an option.
Stuart
The closest Grainger is roughly 40 minutes away (80 minutes round trip). It’s not very far, just very tedious to get to.
Chris D
Looks like McMaster has it, I would order from there.
Stuart
Just checked, $10 shipping. It’s worth it as part of a larger order, but $28 per bottle seems a bit much.
I managed to get it from MSC for $21 with free shipping, will see how that goes.
RockyDog
My purchase was fresh last year…
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072JTXPG6
Stuart
I was wondering why that’s so inexpensive. “For sale in India only.”
mark w
I would say it is because you are trying to order the mil-spec version. There is probably some very slight difference in process requirements, especially documentation relate and such, that make this a different product than the non-milspec version. This also changes the distribution paths, since there is no motivation for loctite to do the extra work on the mil-spec version for anyone who doesn’t have to comply with those rules (military suppliers). The other one is probably priced a little higher due to its retail-focused vs. business-2-business focus. Normally you kinda see the opposite but loctites but a decent monopoly imo.
Richard
I have found it locally, through my company’s logistics, and indeed, from Amazon.
I use it when I’m doing an m3 fastener sometimes. Blue is stronger and possibly non-removable for small fasteners.
I won’t use the green on anything except where it is explicitly called for in the instructions. It’s way too strong. Same goes for red (292, etc) because you need heat to remove it.
scott taylor
Come on guys, anytime there is an excuse to use a flame I’m all in. 🙂
Has anyone used a heat gun to heat up to remove locktite, I have something that a flame would ruin but Im thinking that a heat gun set to low might work? Taking apart something dad put together with the red, not realizing it was for-ever.
Joel
Unfortunately red takes a good bit of heat, and a heat gun on high usually isn’t hot enough. We use a torch (small one) to get up to 3/8” fasteners loose, and a mapp-gas or acetylene torch to get fasteners up to 2.5” to release. That’s why I cringe every time someone online recommends red for non-permanent fastening. Permanent means just that.
Good luck.
Bonnie
What kind of ruin-able thing are we talking? Wood? Plastic?
In terms of heat removal on a screw in a sensitive housing… I’d go with a soldering iron held against the screwhead and then gently tapping with an impact driver (manual if possible otherwise a cordless with a clutch).
Another option, again depending on the material the screw is in, would be a penetrating solvent like knock’em. Won’t completely dissolve dried loctite but it may soften it enough to surrender to some elbow grease.
Tim B.
We usually order our supply at McMaster-Carr… though we haven’t really had any major issues with Amazon either, to be honest.
Steve
Unfortunately, I had to buy my leaky, possibly counterfeit bottle of purple Loctite from Amazon. Their shipping is getting worse and worse.
I assume they maintain metrics that show them just how punitive they can be to their customers and still profit the most.
Nate
My local tractor supply has purple in stock but not the green. Don’t know if this helps you.
Nate
Nevermind, I looked again and it showed online only…..weird.