Thread: Please school me on lock washers

Originally Posted by Michael G

It is more likely to be money - that is, who is going to pay for their time to examine these things. We get stuff approved at work for electrical installations, and invariably there is a fee for any approval we wish to have done, after we have submitted all the paperwork. These days unless someone requests approval and pays for a public servant to look at it, it is unlikely to happen.

About 40 years ago I was involved with renovating a tiny lab (9 m^2) at uni in which super low trace metal analysis were going to be performed. Because of this we stipulated absolute minimum use of metal in fitting out of the lab and requested plastic pipe and plastic taps replace existing plumbing - there were only 3 taps. We even purchased a rated (way above usual spec) lab tap to show them an example of what would be suitable. When the quote came in we noted the quote for replacing the taps included a $1200 fee for "tap testing".

The deal was as the renovators could find no plastic taps rated to Australian standards, and even though the plastic tap we supplied came with a rating certificate from a reputable company the taps did not have an Australian standards ticket and so had to be tested by the WA Water Board. Presumably they put them under pressure and open/close them a few times and see how they stack up? Now $1200 might not seem that much, but back then it was a lot, so we decide to use simple plastic coated taps. The uni was OK to use plastic pressure pipe so that was something.

When the renno was complete we tested the, "all plastic taps" and replaced the taps ourselves. A few months ago I was back at work for a visit and I noted they are still there.

Thanks for the responses so far. It would appear the general consensus for nuts is nylock or similar.
On some applications I have a bolt that holds something like a guard stay and threads into another part.

Apart from locktite what is the best way to retain a bolt.

Thanks Steve