Wow, that's some serious Loctite on the bracelet.

[214270Explorer]

Originally Posted by NativeTxn

I used a heat gun on the low setting on the my recently acquired Explorer I, and it made the links I was focusing on too hot to touch (and I didn't think I really heated it up that long and I didn't just let it "sit" aimed at the links - I kind of moved it around some). I had to run it under cold water for a few seconds to be able to touch it again and get the screws out.

Is there a trick you guys use with the heat gun so that the metal links don't get so hot to the touch?

I was thinking next time about wrapping a towel around it once or twice, but then not sure if there would be enough heat that got through to help loosen it.

After heating the bracelet, I <using a very small wet rag to hold it near the ends> slide it into a bracelet holder block, a Bergeon 6744-P-S. This runs about $14 or so from Esslinger or Amazon. The heated bracelet has never damaged my block - whatever material it is made from is very heat-tolerant.

(You should be able to mange this effort with the watch head attached to the bracelet.)

BE CAREFUL to not heat the overall bracelet or the WATCH HEAD itself. You can heat only the area needed if you are careful by using the 'edge' of the heat blast.

Then I can work on the screw pins easily and safely without requiring another set of hands. If you use enough heat the screws back out as easily as if they are in soft butter. They may require to be 'broken loose', but after that it is all a breeze.

I have never added new Loctite. Never Ever. In fact, I have several watches with no Loctite. If the screw are torqued correctly, they never loosen on me. To each their own; do what makes YOU comfortable.

And as someone else said, they use a soldering iron for heat. Not a good idea if you have a PM as you may get non-removable solder contamination on the gold, and/or scratch the heck out of it.

[rolexjackson]

Originally Posted by 214270Explorer

After heating the bracelet, I &lt;using a very small wet rag to hold it near the ends&gt; slide it into a bracelet holder block, a Bergeon 6744-P-S. This runs about $14 or so from Esslinger or Amazon. The heated bracelet has never damaged my block - whatever material it is made from is very heat-tolerant.

(You should be able to mange this effort with the watch head attached to the bracelet.)

BE CAREFUL to not heat the overall bracelet or the WATCH HEAD itself. You can heat only the area needed if you are careful by using the 'edge' of the heat blast.

Then I can work on the screw pins easily and safely without requiring another set of hands. If you use enough heat the screws back out as easily as if they are in soft butter. They may require to be 'broken loose', but after that it is all a breeze.

I have never added new Loctite. Never Ever. In fact, I have several watches with no Loctite. If the screw are torqued correctly, they never loosen on me. To each their own; do what makes YOU comfortable.

And as someone else said, they use a soldering iron for heat. Not a good idea if you have a PM as you may get non-removable solder contamination on the gold, and/or scratch the heck out of it.

I’ve never Ever scratched or left any material on a pm bracelet. I always make sure my tip is clean and free of any debris before I begin. It works every time and lastly I always add more purple locktite a little drop on the threads insures that the screw won’t be backing out


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[YuriyV]

Loctite is soluble in pure acetone.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Tools

Heat is the release for Loc-tite, but neither a hair dryer nor hot water is sufficient for the temperature needed.

Yes, even 221 requires 150C+ to release and the Rolex 2100 screwdriver is not big enough to grip firmly for those tighter screws.

I needed a hollow ground shouldered screwdriver with a bigger handle.

With a firm stable grip and the correct tip I can remove even loctited screws without heat.

[Peter99]

When I resized my Explorer 39mm and black date Sub I used steam from the kettle targeting the pin and to secure Loctite 222 using the Rolex screwdriver which I was lucky to be able to purchase from a local AD, now defunct.
I have since resized with no problem.