Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Screwdriver

Use waterproof grease to lubricate the viewport retaining ring threads on reassembly. I like it better than Loctite in that arena, because Loctite always seems to leave a little metal exposed right at the interface between paint and threaded hole. You get rust, and worse, a pathway for water intrusion. The water intrusion is probably the worst problem as the space builds up with salt residue, and a vise grip ain't got anything on a salt jammed SS bolt. The good old flat washer, lock washer, bolt combination is hard to beat, especially there. Then you can take them out one at a time, clean, re-lube and reinstall without taking the whole window apart every time. Shade tree mechanic technology--if it's dry, paint it. If you can't get to it, grease it.

Vance

-----Original Message-----
From: Jon Wallace <jonw@psubs.org>
To: personal_submersibles <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
Sent: Wed, Oct 26, 2011 5:29 am
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Screwdriver

Jim,

I really haven't spent much time on it yet. When I saw the slotted machine screws I got curious as to whether they were going to be problematic or not. The screws are stainless but the viewport thru-hulls are steel. So I've only initially gone around to each screw and tried to get it out, not putting alot of pressure on them to prevent stripping the heads, and the majority of them were not very cooperative. Some I didn't bother trying yet because they were painted over and will need some TLC to prevent snapping their little heads off. I think the impact driver and a properly fitting blade will do the trick. Slotted head SS screws are notorious for stripping the slot if you don't have a properly sized blade. In this case the slots are long and wide so I need a good hefty blade. All the screwdrivers I have are too small in both dimensions, even the large ones I have. I just need to find the time to make a trip to home depot or good hardware store. Heat is definitely an option since all the viewports have to be changed anyway. However, even if I have to chisel the heads off that wouldn't bother me (although the time involved would) because once the retaining ring is removed there will be plenty of threads to grab onto with a vise-grip. The flat head slotted screws in the motor housing are a different story. If I strip those slots then drilling them out is probably going to be the only option. Once I get the existing screws out they will all be replaced with hex head.

Jon

On 10/26/2011 8:57 AM, JimToddPsub@aol.com wrote:

Jon,

Are you using heat on any of those stubborn screws? I understand there are places where you don't want to.

Jim