How to Lock Screw in Skillet Handle?

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SteveHGraham
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How to Lock Screw in Skillet Handle?

Post by SteveHGraham »

After doing without nonstick pans for quite a while, I bought myself a new one. Problem: the machine screw that holds the handle on keeps coming loose, which is irritating.

I put red Loctite on it, but I have my doubts about it. The area where the screw is will get pretty warm, so I'm afraid the screw will loosen up again.

Is there another product I can jam in there?

The screw is probably stainless, and the nut is aluminum. Maybe I should put salt in it so the surfaces gall together.
Every hard-fried egg began life sunny-side up.
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warmstrong1955
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Re: How to Lock Screw in Skillet Handle?

Post by warmstrong1955 »

I think 272 Loctite is good to 450 F.
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warmstrong1955
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Re: How to Lock Screw in Skillet Handle?

Post by warmstrong1955 »

Looking in my Loctite catalog.....
They have some stuff called 2422. "Ultra High Temperature", which is good to 650 F.

Probably costs as much as your skillet.
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warmstrong1955
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Re: How to Lock Screw in Skillet Handle?

Post by warmstrong1955 »

And 2620, which is also good to 650 F.

2422 is medium strength, 2620 is high strength.
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earlgo
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Re: How to Lock Screw in Skillet Handle?

Post by earlgo »

1) Take your screw out of the pan.
2) Locate the threads perpendicular to the jaws on your vise grip pliers
3) Squeeze until you see light to mild thread deformation.
4) Reinstall screw with JB Weld
5) Hope you never have to remove the handle again.
6) :shock:
--earlgo
Before you do anything, you must do something else first. - Washington's principle.
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SteveHGraham
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Re: How to Lock Screw in Skillet Handle?

Post by SteveHGraham »

Thanks for all the suggestions. If the screw comes out again, I think I'll go with earlgo's idea.
Every hard-fried egg began life sunny-side up.
earlgo
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Re: How to Lock Screw in Skillet Handle?

Post by earlgo »

Golly gee whiz. I have raised 4 kids to adulthood and offered many, many suggestions and solutions over the years and all fell on deaf ears. Steve, whether you use my suggestion or not, it felt unreal to have someone actually say they would follow my idea. WooHoo! :shock: :lol:

--earlgo
Before you do anything, you must do something else first. - Washington's principle.
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SteveHGraham
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Re: How to Lock Screw in Skillet Handle?

Post by SteveHGraham »

Welcome to my world.
Every hard-fried egg began life sunny-side up.
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SteveHGraham
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Re: How to Lock Screw in Skillet Handle?

Post by SteveHGraham »

The handle came loose again. Removed the screw, and I can barely see a trace of Loctite anywhere. No idea what happened. I thought I was smart enough to put Loctite on screws, but now I wonder. Trying again tomorrow.
Every hard-fried egg began life sunny-side up.
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warmstrong1955
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Re: How to Lock Screw in Skillet Handle?

Post by warmstrong1955 »

SteveHGraham wrote: Tue Feb 19, 2019 9:04 pm The handle came loose again. Removed the screw, and I can barely see a trace of Loctite anywhere. No idea what happened. I thought I was smart enough to put Loctite on screws, but now I wonder. Trying again tomorrow.

Clean the threads with brake-clean or contact cleaner, and let them dry before glopping on the Loctite.

Edit: ...and use a wire brush.
Today's solutions are tomorrow's problems.
John Hasler
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Re: How to Lock Screw in Skillet Handle?

Post by John Hasler »

Use the Loctite primer. It makes a difference on ss and aluminum. I'd also stake the threads as earlgo suggests.

Steel and aluminum being temperature cycled is a bad combination, though. Can you replace either the nut or the screw so as to have matching materials?
Russ Hanscom
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Re: How to Lock Screw in Skillet Handle?

Post by Russ Hanscom »

So, how hard do you shake the pan for the handle for handle to keep working loose? We use the same skillet every day and the handle screw gets loose maybe once in 5 years.
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