this post was submitted on 11 Sep 2024
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So I was attempting to install kevinakasam's belt mod and I'm fairly sure I stripped the thread that holds the M4 screw in the outer right side of the X axis profile (the side without the extruder attached to the tensioner). How screwed am I? Could I get away with trying Loctite red?

Pics for reference!

Edit: Thanks a ton everyone, I'll keep you all up to date when I try to finish the project this weekend!

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[–] FuglyDuck 4 points 2 months ago (10 children)

So the thread in the aluminum was stripped?

There’s a few options that might work. Threadlocker isn’t really epoxy or glue. I’d the thread is merely loose, it’ll keep it from coming out with vibration.

Another option is straight up epoxy- but this would be hard to undo.

Possibly, the best option would be to re-tap the thread. You might be able to get an m4 tap and clean it up with that.

If that doesn’t work, or it’s already that far gone, you could probably go up to an m5, though that would weaken the extrusion more than intended.

If you do want to try re-tapping, avoid the trap of buying tap and die sets. Just get the individual pieces you need (the chuck/holder thing and a the m4 or m5 tap.) a cheap set will still be more expensive than high-quality taps in the 2-3 sizes you actually wind up using.

(Also, general note 1/8” smooth rod is in every hardware store, and a die is much cheaper than 1/8” thread and usually looks neater, unless you need it fully threaded.)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (5 children)

Okay, I have no clue what I'm doing but I did look up a little bit on tapping and think I might be able to try that. Of all the threads to strip I think I may have gotten lucky. The screw doesn't seem to do much other than keep the metal plate from sliding up and down (though I may be wrong) so I'm not too worried about strength I think.

What do you mean about the rod? Is this to buy a rod, cut it to size, use a die to thread it, and screw that in?

Is this a "good enough" tap? Looks like I'd need to get a wrench for it too?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Imo for a single job, I'd prioritize getting some tap magic over worrying about tap quality. For aluminum, tap magic makes a big difference.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I'm starting from no knowledge here, so all advice is great! Do you mean this stuff? Or should I get the aluminum version?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

The aluminum version would be preferred, but what you linked will do just fine. I can't find a small tin of the aluminum version on Amazon, so don't bother overspending on a large container.

If you are going up a thread size, make sure you get the appropriate drill bit. You need to drill out the hole before tapping. M5 usually calls for a 4.2mm predrill.

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