Tip: Installing washers or nuts in tight spaces

[Mike S]

For installing washers, or nuts in tight spaces, you know the kind where you can get a finger in, but keep loosing the part---------

Get a tube of glue stick, the kind that office supply stores sell for a buck or so, your kid probably has some, assuming you have kids around.

A quick wipe of the glue stick to your finger, and -----no more dropped washer or nuts.

Works much better than the old trick of wrapping duct tape adhesive side out on the finger.

This would also work on a strip of alum, or wood ETC.

Now, if I go out and by a case of glue sticks for a discount price---say half a buck each, re label them as "Aircraft Hardware Installation Adhesive", I can sell them for $10.00.

I'm gonna be rich!!!!!!!!

[srv]

Interesting that you're using a product for the exact opposite purpose it was intended - to keep glue off yer fingers.

[bkc3921]

..A dab of old fashioned automotive grease (or aeroshell if you have the $$$)..works just as good and it's not hard to remove from your hands...

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by bkc3921

..A dab of old fashioned automotive grease (or aeroshell if you have the $$$)..works just as good and it's not hard to remove from your hands...

Yep, BTDT. Works well also.

But, the glue stick dries on your finger quickly, just rub your finger and thumb together and it all rolls off. Grease gets all over everything.

[gbrasch]

I was shopping for some motorcycle stuff and came across a magnetic finger glove from San Diego Sport Cycles, 619-464-6255, part # 21-0016 for $10.90. Can't believe how well it works! It is on my shop bench for the duration.

[Norman CYYJ]

For those of you that are on tight budget that use grease on your fingers to hold washers to them. Instead of wiping the grease off on a rag or your jeans wipe your finger of on the push-tube bearings or rudder bearings etc. By the time yo have the plane built all of the places that need greasing will be done. Saving both time and money spent on grease.

[GAHco]

To get things into tight places you can also use some things that fit better in tight places.

The Mini pattern nuts MS21042 will fit in smaller places than the full pattern nuts. they are just as strong and are temp rated to 450 deg f. that means they can be used in the engine compartment (but not as exhaust component, see ms21043for that).

These are the modern nut that most new aircraft are being constructed with.

If you need a small area washer too use the NAS620 series. They come in a variety of materials.

One thing to watch for is the smaller footprints of this hardware may not work for softer or thinner materials if the tension load is significant. Any proper airframe construction should have been designed to minimize these types of installations, so it should not be a frequent problem.