Those little screws

[Trailer Trash 2]

OK I need a quick fix from somebody out there for this please.

Those little screws that hold the globes on the lights, mine keep backing off when under way, and I have to reinstall them every time, I'm afraid that one of these days I won't be so lucky I'll find the globe broken on the floor.

Thanks.

[Wrenchtraveller]

I would try medium strength loctite thread locker although I am not sure if this will work on a single wrap of thread like you get on some cheap fixtures.

[dieselguy]

I've put a large rubber band around the area on the globe base where the screws come in contact ... seems to help the backing out problem.

[melnjoy]

Don,
I think dieselguys' idea sounds pretty good, (if you can find a white rubber band that would fit properly). We did forget to tighten those pesky screws once, and yep! the globe ended up all over the floor when we stopped. good luck, I'm off to find a white rubber band. lol
Joy

[hazmic]

I think there was a post here about wrapping the globe where the thumb screws go with white Teflon plumbers tape. Wrap a few times and finger tight with the screws and it's supposed to keep the from backing out. I have not tried that yet to see if it works or not.

[VanMan]

A slight tap on the inside of the screw hole (backside) with a ball peen hammer (rounded "peen" end) may tighten up the hole. There's an old trick of using a ball bearing (diameter about double the hole diameter) on the opening of threaded holes to tighten up that first thread. In this case it would be the last one.

I like the teflon tape idea - maybe even tape the little screw's threads, too! Guess I need to check mine - starting a list for a short trip in a couple of weeks.

[kjtogo]

We had our first experience with the same problem. As Harley owners, we learned to put blue locktite on all screws and bolts. Locktite makes a stick that looks like a glue stick making it neat and easy to use. We are going to start using it as appropriate.

[Native Tex]

The Blu Loc-tite works very well.

[Trailer Trash 2]

Thanks to all for the great ideas.
I will try the blue lock tight first.

[Okie Guy]

I have had good luck with the rubber band method. If it gets to be too much of a problem take a pair od needle nosed pliers and GENTLY squeese the threads on the fixture. I had to do this on one of my fixtures and I have not had a problem since.

[bsmeaton]

Don,

We had one wall light that kept loosing the screws. I hate to admit it, but I never fixed it. I just let all the screws stay out. 3-years and 8,000 miles, never fell off and broke. I'm not saying you shouldn't fix it, rather I was just real lucky. I just bet it fell off and broke the day the new owners drove it off the lot .

[Russ and Sandy]

We use a rubber band too. Two screws were missing in our Montana when delivered.

Got the idea from a ceiling fan that I installed in our home. It came with the rubber bands - I think they were used to stop any vibration caused rattling. The rubber bands solve both problems.

[keham]

I also used a drop of blue lock-tite on each screw. That was in may 05 and everything was still tight when I put it away last Nov.

ken

[dsprik]

I vote for the rubber band, too. The physics is logical. The rubber band will exert back pressure on the screw in it's threads. Glass does not have that resilliancy. We went to Home Depot and got a clear (flecked with gold) globe and put in an octagonal halogen 60w light bulb. Very decorative. Better than old opaque white globe...

The globe had the rubber band on the neck right out of the box. First time I have seen that.

[jerrybb]

I have used clear nail polish, will hold screw in place and still can be remover by turning the screw, also works well on those small eye glass screws !

[VanMan]

Well, now I'm going to have to go find some rubber bands (for all the ceiling fans in our stick home + our daughters)