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davis89 · 2 September 2016, 03:45 AM

I just purchased a brand new bluesy and have already managed to mess it up! While I was sizing the bracelet, I over applied the Loctite and now the bracelet links are stiff. The links will not sway back and forth since the Loctite is jammed in the bracelet link. I know I can heat the links so I can remove them, but I am concerned that if I monkey around with the screws too much I will strip the thread inside the link.

Is it possible to strip the thread on a 904 steel link? I am not too worried about striping the screws threads as they are pretty inexpensive to replace, but I don't want to cause any damage to the two tone gold links.

Please let me know you thoughts. The watch is a day old and I cant believe I did this. I had no problem sizing the bracelet on my old gmt ceramic.

Passionata · 2 September 2016, 03:55 AM

I d take to a watchmaker

swils8610 · 2 September 2016, 03:57 AM

Run hot water over it and work it. It will also loosen up over time

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swils8610 · 2 September 2016, 03:59 AM

You can also heat it up with a lighter. That loosens it up a bit.

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masterserg · 2 September 2016, 04:01 AM

Heat it up with a cigar lighter for a few seconds ... let the flame contact the area (careful, links get pretty hot pretty fast). Screws should come out with no resistance after this .. with the right 1.6 flat ground screwdriver (If you have a PAM, theirs is perfect).

Lordofrolex · 2 September 2016, 04:10 AM

can you use a very hot blow dryer see if that loosens it up

dysondiver · 2 September 2016, 04:34 AM

as long as there is some movement ,,, just wear it ,,, friction is a fantastic thing. or try a drop of oil ,,,, the threaded end will stay put and oil wont get in , it will move into the gap by capillary action , and free up in time ,,, no heat , no flames , just a drop of light oil and patience

anothernewphone · 2 September 2016, 04:49 AM

I'd go with Brandon's advice and start with the blow dryer, and work your way up to open flames if necessary.

Grey.Coupe · 2 September 2016, 04:50 AM

Use the solvent that particular LocTite calls for, work it, and presto!

davis89 · 2 September 2016, 05:08 AM

Cool I will try the heat and some oil. Thank you.

Is it possible to mess up the threads on the bracelet link though? I'm worried that I may have already damaged the link trying to work the screw out.

fskywalker · 2 September 2016, 05:19 AM

Doubt the thread will be messed up; probably best to bring to watchmen so they can solve the issue for you

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jrbar-on · 2 September 2016, 05:29 AM

Brandon is 100% correct - a blow dryer is the best. One word of caution though, wear a glove after heating the bracelet so don't burn your fingers.

Jonathan

watchwatcher · 2 September 2016, 06:52 AM

I wouldn't be too hard on yourself...I actually had an 'official' Rolex watchmaker at the AD do the same thing and cause the links on a brand new watch to bind up.

I would take it to someone who knows what they're doing. Once you get the link out you've still got to clean up the loctite mess. And possibly polish the screw head down or replace the screw if it gets mangled up in the process.

japenney · 2 September 2016, 07:13 AM

Blow dryer but careful it will be hot. Worked for me today

masyv6 · 2 September 2016, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lordofrolex

can you use a very hot blow dryer see if that loosens it up

Start here before getting out a lighter, OP

Roll the Lex · 2 September 2016, 09:21 PM

Did the same thing resizing my watch. Don't do anything. Wearing it will sort out the problem

Cryten · 2 September 2016, 09:55 PM

Now you know why you should put a drop of 222 in the threaded hole and not on the screw itself. It's no problem though, back the screw out, clean up the screw and the hole and start again. You wont have done any damage.

davis89 · 8 November 2016, 02:05 AM

Thanks for all your advice. I ended up just leaving it be and the links eventually worked themselves out. I didn't want to risk stripping the screws.

madmax21 · 8 November 2016, 02:19 AM

It's fun and rewarding to size your own watch and gives you a real sense of ownership when you buy a new Rolex however let a watchmaker size your watch in the future, some things are best left to those that do it everyday

nobbylon · 8 November 2016, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davis89

Thanks for all your advice. I ended up just leaving it be and the links eventually worked themselves out. I didn't want to risk stripping the screws.

good! I can't believe people advocating using flames and blow driers! excessive heat could mess with the lubrication of the watch using a hot air drier. As for flaming your brand new watch, seriously?
I put a drop of 222 on every thread hole in my Deep Sea's bracelet. I secured each link screw and some of them did stiffen up. Over the next few weeks of daily wear in the pool and out it freed off normally.

mtgjr · 8 November 2016, 03:57 AM

The lesson here is don't use Loctite. It's not necessary.

nobbylon · 8 November 2016, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtgjr

The lesson here is don't use Loctite. It's not necessary.

There's a few who would disagree with that statement having had screws back out. They use thread lock at the factory for a reason.

enjoythemusic · 8 November 2016, 04:45 AM

If you choose to use Blue Loctite (or some such, NEVER RED!!!), use the tip of a toothpick and apply a small amount only on the threads. A very little teeny tiny bit of Loctite is perfect.

2 September 2016, 03:45 AM	#1
davis89 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Maryland Watch: 116613LB Posts: 4	Bracelet Link Thread I just purchased a brand new bluesy and have already managed to mess it up! While I was sizing the bracelet, I over applied the Loctite and now the bracelet links are stiff. The links will not sway back and forth since the Loctite is jammed in the bracelet link. I know I can heat the links so I can remove them, but I am concerned that if I monkey around with the screws too much I will strip the thread inside the link. Is it possible to strip the thread on a 904 steel link? I am not too worried about striping the screws threads as they are pretty inexpensive to replace, but I don't want to cause any damage to the two tone gold links. Please let me know you thoughts. The watch is a day old and I cant believe I did this. I had no problem sizing the bracelet on my old gmt ceramic.

2 September 2016, 03:55 AM	#2
Passionata "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: N/A Watch: the girls Posts: 7,095	I d take to a watchmaker __________________ Best George "Also remember that feet don't get fat and a watch will always speak volumes." Robert Johnston --------------------- newhttps://youtu.be/EljAF-uddhE new http://youtu.be/ZmpLoO1Q8eQ IG @passionata1

2 September 2016, 04:01 AM	#5
masterserg "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Real Name: Serg Location: US of A Watch: AP Posts: 7,437	Heat it up with a cigar lighter for a few seconds ... let the flame contact the area (careful, links get pretty hot pretty fast). Screws should come out with no resistance after this .. with the right 1.6 flat ground screwdriver (If you have a PAM, theirs is perfect). __________________ How can you have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat????

2 September 2016, 04:10 AM	#6
Lordofrolex "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Real Name: Brandon Location: Los Angeles, CA Watch: Yes Please! Posts: 6,691	can you use a very hot blow dryer see if that loosens it up __________________ Rolex GMT Master II 116710LN Panerai PAM 359 Audemars Piguet RO 15300OR Follow me on Instagram: @b_jakobovich

2 September 2016, 05:19 AM	#11
fskywalker 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Real Name: Francisco Location: San Juan, PR Watch: Is Ticking ! Posts: 25,182	Doubt the thread will be messed up; probably best to bring to watchmen so they can solve the issue for you Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Francisco ♛ 16610 / 116264 Ω 168.022 / 2535.80.00 / 310.30.42.50.01.002 / 210.90.42.20.01.001 Zenith 02.480.405 2FA security enabled

2 September 2016, 03:57 AM	#3
swils8610 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Real Name: shannon Location: usa Posts: 9,211	Run hot water over it and work it. It will also loosen up over time Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

2 September 2016, 03:59 AM	#4
swils8610 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Real Name: shannon Location: usa Posts: 9,211	You can also heat it up with a lighter. That loosens it up a bit. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

2 September 2016, 04:34 AM	#7
dysondiver "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: tom Location: northern ireland Watch: my fins Posts: 10,063	as long as there is some movement ,,, just wear it ,,, friction is a fantastic thing. or try a drop of oil ,,,, the threaded end will stay put and oil wont get in , it will move into the gap by capillary action , and free up in time ,,, no heat , no flames , just a drop of light oil and patience

2 September 2016, 04:49 AM	#8
anothernewphone Banned Join Date: Feb 2013 Real Name: Bill Location: Plymouth Meeting Watch: 116520 Posts: 3,209	I'd go with Brandon's advice and start with the blow dryer, and work your way up to open flames if necessary.

2 September 2016, 04:50 AM	#9
Grey.Coupe "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NC, USA Posts: 555	Use the solvent that particular LocTite calls for, work it, and presto!

2 September 2016, 05:08 AM	#10
davis89 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Maryland Watch: 116613LB Posts: 4	Cool I will try the heat and some oil. Thank you. Is it possible to mess up the threads on the bracelet link though? I'm worried that I may have already damaged the link trying to work the screw out.

2 September 2016, 05:29 AM	#12
jrbar-on 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 803	Brandon is 100% correct - a blow dryer is the best. One word of caution though, wear a glove after heating the bracelet so don't burn your fingers. Jonathan

2 September 2016, 06:52 AM	#13
watchwatcher "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Larry Location: Kentucky Watch: Yes Posts: 35,047	I wouldn't be too hard on yourself...I actually had an 'official' Rolex watchmaker at the AD do the same thing and cause the links on a brand new watch to bind up. I would take it to someone who knows what they're doing. Once you get the link out you've still got to clean up the loctite mess. And possibly polish the screw head down or replace the screw if it gets mangled up in the process. Last edited by watchwatcher; 2 September 2016 at 06:52 AM.. Reason: grammar!

2 September 2016, 07:13 AM	#14
japenney "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Real Name: Josh Location: Canada Watch: undecided Posts: 4,777	Blow dryer but careful it will be hot. Worked for me today

2 September 2016, 09:21 PM	#16
Roll the Lex "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,842	Did the same thing resizing my watch. Don't do anything. Wearing it will sort out the problem

2 September 2016, 09:55 PM	#17
Cryten "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Terrafirma Posts: 2,655	Now you know why you should put a drop of 222 in the threaded hole and not on the screw itself. It's no problem though, back the screw out, clean up the screw and the hole and start again. You wont have done any damage.

8 November 2016, 02:05 AM	#18
davis89 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Maryland Watch: 116613LB Posts: 4	Thanks for all your advice. I ended up just leaving it be and the links eventually worked themselves out. I didn't want to risk stripping the screws.

8 November 2016, 02:19 AM	#19
madmax21 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Toronto Canada Watch: GMT Master ll Posts: 1,036	It's fun and rewarding to size your own watch and gives you a real sense of ownership when you buy a new Rolex however let a watchmaker size your watch in the future, some things are best left to those that do it everyday

8 November 2016, 03:57 AM	#21
mtgjr Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Mike Location: Tampa, Florida Watch: Pepsi GMT Posts: 2,926	The lesson here is don't use Loctite. It's not necessary.

8 November 2016, 04:45 AM	#23
enjoythemusic 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Real Name: Steven Location: Glocal Posts: 21,185	If you choose to use Blue Loctite (or some such, NEVER RED!!!), use the tip of a toothpick and apply a small amount only on the threads. A very little teeny tiny bit of Loctite is perfect. __________________ __________________ ----> Was Great Seeing Everyone At The TRF December 9 Tampa Meetup <---- https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=968133 Love timepieces and want to become a Watchmaker? Rolex has a sensational school. www.RolexWatchmakingTrainingCenter.com/ Sent from my Etch A Sketch using String Theory.

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