Applying heat to PCL

[slocke0624]

Hello,

I recently bought a BLNR from an AD and was shocked to see the tech dip the screws in loctite when putting the bracelet back together after sizing. One link was stuck to where it took quite a bit of force to break and another is just stiff from too much loctite. I managed to get one loose by heating up the link with a hairdryer but the other will not budge. I'm using a quality 1.6mm screwdriver and was wondering if applying heat with a lighter would damage the PCL? I know I would be applying heat from the bottom but wasn't sure if too much heat would damage the finish. I don't want to fiddle with it much more and take a chance on stripping the screw head but hate to be defeated by such a small problem.

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions.

[roaddog359]

Why are you trying to mess with the links when they sized it for you?

[slocke0624]

Originally Posted by roaddog359

Why are you trying to mess with the links when they sized it for you?

The link is stiff enough that it does not conform to the shape of my wrist if it gets out of shape. I have to use my other hand to put it back to a comfortable position.

[Andad]

You should take it back and ask the tech?? to remove all the screws from the stiff links, clean the screws and reassemble the bracelet with just a litlte loctite applied to the female threads on the links.

222 Loctite breaks down at temperatures in excess of 250C and while this doesn't sound high it takes a bit of applied heat to get the whole screw inside the link up to that temperature.

Probably why boiling water and hairdryers don't work.

[SearChart]

I use my Dupont cigar lighter to burn the Loctite in crowns and bracelet screws, works like a charm. And no soot forms because it's butane.

[mapalfa]

I've cracked screws fixed with loctite by holding a soldering iron the the screw-head for a while. Might help, but that sounds like he used one hell of a lot.