Testing the Strength of Thread Locker - Red vs Blue vs Super Glue

Thread Locker Torque Test. Red vs Blue vs Super Glue ? How Strong Is It ?
#threadlocker
#wurth
#snapon
In this video I put blue and red thread locker on bolts and start nuts on them. I then let the thread locker dry for 24 hours. After that I use my Snap On digital torque wrench to measure how much torque it takes to break the thread lockers bond. I also do the same thing with super glue. Will super glue work as a substitute if you're out of thread locker? How much stronger is red than blue thread locker? How Strong is super glue? Watch and find out. You might be surprised.
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[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Some great points have been made. Superglue may not hold up under heat, moisture, or heavy vibration. So now that many people have commented, if you run out of thread locker just buy more thread locker. Still surprised how much torque the superglue took.

[@LaOwlett]

I use superglue on a screw that keeps coming lose on an antique doorknob. Superglue might be strong, but as the top comment mentioned it's also extremely brittle so doesn't do so well under wear and vibration. It lasts about 2 years before I need to glue it tight again, but I can't have it so tight that I strip the screw when/if I need to take it off. Currently I have a bike seat post clamp that has screws coming lose, and I need to prevent it from shaking lose, but also need to be able to loosen the clamp for maintenance. Maybe the blue thread lock is what I need. Great video, thank you!

[@GJGAMING5]

I think threadlocker is meant to dry to a slightly softer material than superglue which helps with vibrations. With dry superglue being so brittle it may not hold up so well under vibrations. Just a guess tho brilliant test regardless 🤟 Edit: just read up abit more on the differences, superglue tends to break down easier when wet so thread locker is preferred in exterior applications. Thread locker also takes longer to set which is intentional to help with the assembly of parts

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

I agree. I can't see superglue holding up under high temperatures or vibrations. The Test was one of those hmmmm I wonder thoughts. Thanks for the comment

[@GJGAMING5]

@@shanersmechaniclife3164 think it calls for a follow up test😉

[@kyzercube]

@@shanersmechaniclife3164 I'm a certified auto-mechanic. GAMING5 is 100% correct. The purpose of thread lock is not to increase torque to loosen the nut, but rather to prevent the nut from backing off due to vibration over long periods of time. Superglue will not achieve this because SG's bonds will break from the slightest turn of the nut, while thread lock's bonds will not.

[@LilasTools]

Wow that’s wild, thanks for testing! 👍👍

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

I always wondered how much stronger red was. The super glue blew my expectations out of the water.

[@bdub4027]

That’s real science. Nicely done.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Thanks for the great comment. I was driving home from work one night and started wondering how strong are they?

[@kyzercube]

Keep in mind the purpose of thread lock is *NOT* to increase the torque of unscrewing the nut ( although that is a secondary consequence ), but rather to prevent vibrations from backing the nut off over long periods of time. I would never use superglue for this job because unlike thread lock, the vast majority of superglue's bond will be released on the first break. Thread lock's bond will not.

[@AAgunner]

Getting a tube of super glue tomorrow! That's the last time my cheap-ass office chair dropped a bolt... And the bolts even came with a random blue threadlocker pre-applied. It's neither falling nor coming apart ever again.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Lol nothing worse than an office chair failure. Doing your job 1 minute then staring at the ceiling, laying on the floor the next.

[@truthfilterforyoutube8218]

Before anyone thinks they will use superglu over loctite, Know this ! Superglu breaks down completely with oil or moisture exposure.

[@freakinccdevilleiv380]

Niiiice, thanks! 👍

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Your welcome. I was just driving home one night and the video idea popped into my head. Kinda one of those hmmmmm I wonder moments.

[@augustin2105]

Right on lol gd to know...thanks for the vid..

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Your welcome. It was one of those hmmm I wonder ideas.

[@PadmaDorjee]

That was super surprising man.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

It surprised me too. Thanks for watching.

[@JackElectrician]

Great video

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Thanks a lot. It was an idea that popped into my head on the way home one night. Hmm I wonder ? Lol

[@gabrielsansar6187]

cheapest way is throw a bit of glue stick onto it.. stays slightly rubbery whilt keeping the bing tight.. easy to apart it if u crank the pounds... cost vs thread lock and superglue.. about a fiftieth

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

It's crazy how expensive thread locker is.

[@gabrielsansar6187]

@@shanersmechaniclife3164 not sure if ur being serious or sarcastic

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

I'm being serious. The price of red and blue thread locker is a lot for how little you get

[@gabrielsansar6187]

@@shanersmechaniclife3164 correct...

[@freakinccdevilleiv380]

My friend I was thinking maybe you needed to tighten the nut to a few NM. Remember the threadlocker needs a close fit to achieve maximum shear strength. I think this might give very different values.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

That is a very good point. I think I'll try and see. Thanks for your input.

[@Bulletz4Breakfast13]

@@shanersmechaniclife3164 do them to 100ft-lbs on M12x1.75 hex flange bolts that are class 10.9. Let them cure for 24-48 hours as stated by Henkel-Adhesives. The higher torque flexes the threads allowing more resistance and surface area to grab. If the bolts are not torqued down strong they will come out easily with any adhesive. Try Orange 21250 by Permatex, Blue 243 by Loctite, the new Red 263 by Loctite and Green 190.

[@raahinyapratapsingh1629]

Nice test One should think before paying exorbitant price for locktite

[@wallacefrey6247]

Gloves are a great idea when working with super glue. I wont tell you what happens when you get it on your fingers,and then go to the bathroom.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Oh No ! Not to mention that awkward visit to the first aid room at work.

[@noobinho8882]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@gford1491]

That's the whole fun of it

[@jeremytrepanier2202]

Just use acetone a bit wont hurt u

[@Hakimfarhat]

Super glue would be good using it like on bolts for home stuff and racks but engine wise the heat will make it melt away by time I guess I just bought the red one

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Maybe ill try super gluing a nut and bolt and putting it in the oven for a while then re testing it. A few people have mentioned the heat situation.

[@robertmi5650]

How would JB Weld Classic work, what do you guys think?

[@Buttsaver]

How long did super glue take to be dry? Can u recommend super glue that takes about 30 seconds to be dry?

[@jimmywilson1388]

Man that’s crazy, I’ve always wondered how super glue would do VS thread locker…😅 I’m thinking about using some Locktite ultra gel control on my break barrel air rifle. It’s not quite as strong as regular super glue… lol

[@ourchannel8215]

tread lock blue used on electronic mybe...on skru driver bolt...

[@jimmyji8086]

Another thing to consider is how much torque do you need to completely remove the nut. Not sure if superglue would just break off and the nut is free spinning vs threadlocker makes it so you really need need something twisting the nut off vs some vibration making it come off.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

That is a good point. I appreciate your input. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@MyCS-ec7vv]

Will superglue hold at high temp?? 150°

[@speedygonzales9993]

Surprise, surprise! Supa-Glue is 👍👍👍 !!!. Tks!

[@jimmorgan1913]

I really think that the environment will make a difference in the results. For example, heat or freezing temps. I would think the super glue would become brittle in these cases. Or over time.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

I agree. It was one of those ideas that came into my head on the way home one night. One of those hmmm I wonder moments.

[@gabrielsansar6187]

ur right my victims can actually scream for help after an hour if its hot in the cellar

[@jonathanpinlac2030]

Wow! amazing results. you should test the superglue after heated to 300F? I would like to see the result of that. If it's still strong then i can use it to lock a stud for my intake manifold studs

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Good idea. I wonder how it would hold up. Might just melt.

[@Bulletz4Breakfast13]

I've done this test with every bolt being torqued 100 Ft-Lbs. The bolts where: M12x1.75 and had smooth Flange hex heads, Partial Thread and Coarse Thread. Class 10.9 Carbon Steel with Yellow Zinc plating or Grey Zinc Flake. The nuts have to be Class 10. Each bolt shaft can hold 4000lbs on the nom threaded shoulder portion. Red Threadlocker held to 300ftlbs and needed a little heat (250°F) Blue 242 held to 130ftlbs If you let Red Threadlocker cure for weeks it will become permanently locked unless you heat it with torch to 300°F on the bolt head and use over 300 ft-lbs on a ½ torque wrench / breaker bar and a torque adapter by ACDelco. You must let them cure for at least 2 days minimum or the Threadlocker doesn't adhere. Don't use washers and make sure the Flange Head Bolt is smooth on the bottom, not serated. It clamps better. The added 100ft-lbs clamps and stretches the threads. Normally fastener/bolts threads "Coarse Thread" only has 10% contact surface with the nut threads. Adding higher torque goes past 60% of the bolt threads yield which stretches abd greatly increases contact %. If not over torqued the threads will go back to their original state. This is why Threadlocker works, it increases the contact surface more but must be combined with 60% clamping force yield point.

[@bobthompson4319]

Try spray paint, nail polish, sugar water, syrup, RTV. In Cuba where they don't have thread locker they use sugar water.

[@bobthompson4319]

Judging by this vid and comments RTV and nail polish might be the best thing.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

I might just have to try those. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@biknjak]

Bicycle wheel builders use boiled linseed oil (which is a wood finishing laquer) between the threads on the spoke and the threads on the nipple (nut). It acts as a lubricant while you are building spoke tension as you tighten the nipples, and in time dries like varnish and becomes a kind of medium thread locker.

[@bobthompson4319]

@shanersmechaniclife3164 the ultimate locker is salt water.

[@jerrylenz5271]

I'm not saying you did, but the results could be skewed by clamping the nut in the vise. A better comparison would be achieved by clamping the bolt head in the vise.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

That is a great point. I will definitely take your point into consideration next time I make a similar video. Thanks for your positive feedback

[@jeremytrepanier2202]

I know a guy that work at nasa and they use fancy superglue when assembling satelite

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Wonder what that costs per tube?

[@jeremytrepanier2202]

700$ if i remember correctly

[@jeremytrepanier2202]

@@shanersmechaniclife3164 i could be wrong about the price tho, it was either 700 or 17000 its quite vague but i am leaning towards 700. Another fun fact, the screw where made of a special titanium and only screwed in once and at an extremely precise torque since any variation in tightness betwwen the screw would be multiplied in space due to the extreme temperature variation. We are talking about 100 of degrees of difference from the side of the satelite facing sun to its opposite .

[@Michael-uo4jj]

my god higher than i thought for the superglue i thought it was going to be like 20ftlbs your never going to remove that nut again hopefully next guy isn't me

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Not sure how well it would stand up to heat and vibration. I would stay with the proper thread locker. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@hamerray]

Great review. The superglue is that the liquid or is that the gel.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Thanks! It's the liquid. I was surprised how Strong it was.

[@danielmaxter1928]

Obviously liquid......... gel superglue is garbage. Completely useless.

[@chiphill4856]

@@danielmaxter1928 depends on the application, my man

[@user-bi2og4wb3j]

我觉得你打开了我对螺纹锁固胶的认知

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

I enjoy sharing knowledge.

[@bruceli9094]

Why those bottles so dirty?!!

[@redr2]

Shit that's a lot. Someone once told me nail polish works in a pinch

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Hmmm. Never thought of nail polish. Nail polish is good for marking gears and timing belt location .

[@josep.7387]

Does super glue work on heat?

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Your not the only one to ask. Think I might try it and see. I'll let everyone know.

[@arisusakayanagi5590]

What about solder?

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Never thought of solder. Think I might try it. Might be hard to get the fastner hot enough to get solder to penetrate into the nut.

[@eirikmurito]

Unless youre fixing a vibrator im sure the super glue will be just fine

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

And if you are using super glue to fix one of those, be sure to allow drying time before returning to service. Lol

[@HappyHands.]

my permatex gel red never seems to cure

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

I wonder if your tube was frozen at one point. Sometimes that can affect it.

[@chiphill4856]

I think threadlocker is anaerobically cured, in the absence of air. So while the threadlocker on the outside of the bolt may not cure, supposedly the stuff inside the threads does cure. Never tested it though.

[@Fred-eg9sx]

Yall want real strong? Use JB Weld lmao

[@dbell3811]

Super glue breaks down moster..,water..only use in dry

[@dtuer]

72 hour cure time and Loctite has a self life of a year or so

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Good info thanks for sharing. A lot of good points in comments. Might be time to redo test.

[@dtuer]

@@shanersmechaniclife3164 please do, will watch for sure. Thanks for the content.

[@dtuer]

@@shanersmechaniclife3164 correction, Loctite states 24 hour cure time and two year self life, definitely an interesting product. Longer cure time in lower temps. Thanks for the video.

[@giuliobuccini208]

Wrong test. With this test you're simply testing the adhesive power. You need to tight that bolts to make the threadlock action effective, otherwise the super-glue is always a winner. Thread lockers are not glues! After a thread is pushed against another thread the small space is filled by the TL. It then solidify and keep the metal-to-metal force constant. But you still have the chance to unscrew the bolt. In other words, a TL tries to minimize the play between metal surfaces of two threads. Again, a TL is not a glue.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

I will be doing another thtead licker test video in the future. I will use the proper method to get more accurate results. Thanks for commenting.

[@techvigator]

This video should explain why you utterly have to avoid the super glue replacing the threadlockers.

[@guilbertbabcock6500]

Don't use super glue