Loctite Blue 242 vs 243 will both work?

djmarkbravo

djmarkbravo

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Sep 14, 2024
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Hey Guys,


So I ordered some Blue Loctite on Amazon, and accidentally got 243 vs the traditionally used 242. From my research 243 is better in some ways like it can work with oil contaminated parts and also can take higher temperatures (Which I'm not sure is even relevant when talking about pocket knives lol).

However the shear strength of 242 is 3000 PSI vs the 243 having 1600 PSI.

Should i just use the 243 I have? Or am I better off ordering the correct and most commonly used in the community 242?

Any help would be appreciated
 
I have both (I think I accidentally bought 242 once when I wanted 243 for its tolerance for oil/grease) and have generally used them interchangeably. I had no idea there was such a difference in their shear strengths; that was a surprise to read. Long story short, they both have worked just fine for me where I wanted a lower-strength threadlocker. (I sometimes use red Loctite for scope mounts on rifles, but other than that, I have little use for it.) YMMV.
 
Either of the Blues should be fine. Purple also works. Knife screws are not under severe vibration and pressure.
 
As long as its not red you should be good to go. I only use red on bolts I expect to not need to take apart in my lifetime
 
djmarkbravo said:
Hey Guys,


So I ordered some Blue Loctite on Amazon, and accidentally got 243 vs the traditionally used 242. From my research 243 is better in some ways like it can work with oil contaminated parts and also can take higher temperatures (Which I'm not sure is even relevant when talking about pocket knives lol).

However the shear strength of 242 is 3000 PSI vs the 243 having 1600 PSI.

Should i just use the 243 I have? Or am I better off ordering the correct and most commonly used in the community 242?

Any help would be appreciated
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When Spyderco sends me replacement clip screws or body screws, the package always come with a small tube of Loctite 243. So I guess it’s what Spyderco recommends.

Having said that, I have used both 243 and 242 interchangeably and can see no real difference.
 
I would consider 243 better for knives because of its resistance to oil contamination.

And just speaking from personal experience, loctite is always messy no matter what you do. There's no way around that. With 242 in particular I have had issues removing it once it has dried. If there is too much in one area, it will form this hard crust which is very difficult to clean out and can interfere with getting a good fitting between parts. You're supposed to use very little in order to avoid this type of thing happening, but that impossible with loctite.
 
This has been informative to me since I never knew the difference. I just buy another blue medium strength of either number and never saw or felt a difference. I probably have three or four bottles floating around but never find them when needed.
 
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