Not everything we review has to be new, and this latest entry is actually very old. After walking around my local hobby shop looking for something worthy of a product review, I remembered one of the most important tools our hobby has, and there is an icon among us; Threadlock, of the medium strength kind. It’s so commonplace in this hobby that we tend to take it for granted, but there has been a tried and true industry standard that has stood the test of time… or has it? After writing this review of the original Tamiya Liquid Thread-lock we visited their website to verify part number and got some really bad news; Tamiya has discontinued this blue gold and we’re super bummed. However, many toolboxes are still stocked up with a tube and a lot of hobby shops are still loaded up with the stuff so we’re going to post this review on our website anyway. Here’s our thoughts on Tamiya’s – now discontinued – go-to screw glue for your sneaky loosening screws.
WHY?
Blue Thread-lock is a must-have in this hobby, especially when building nitro machines where vibration can rattle your screws loose prematurely ending your race. But even the electric crowd loves to use it in one place or another as each chassis has a tricky area where some screws won’t stay put. This magic goo is used on screws that thread into metal only as most thread-lock compounds will melt plastic.
TESTING
To use it, simply squeeze a bit out onto your screw threads then spread it evenly. Install the screw with authority, then wait a few minutes for it to dry, although I’ve run it almost immediately after application for 30+ years without issue. Don’t forget to cap the tube, which won’t matter anyway as this product is known for its leaky characteristics and you’ll soon experience the common dried balls of blue magic around the spout. When used over time the thicker gel starts to build up on the threads and actually gums them up so often you don’t need to re-apply. The residual dried thread-lock doesn’t provide adhesion, but the gummed up threads make it more difficult to loosen so it acts like thread-lock. For best results clean the threads and reapply fresh stuff. It keeps screws tight but can be cracked loose with a reasonable amount of force. The dried thread-lock doesn’t clean from the screw easily with the best tool being a hobby knife to crack the dried bits away.
RATING
Quality – 9.5
Performance – 9.0
Value – 9.5
FINAL VERDICT (9.5)
This wonderful gel like liquid doesn’t receive enough praise. In over 30-years of RC hobbying I’ve only ever needed something stronger on one occasion; an annoying piston retaining screw that just wouldn’t stay put – which isn’t a strike against this particular blue thread-lock – the design just required the red permanent kind. Overall Tamiya Thread-lock has been our first choice in keeping our rigs together and I wish I could say it will continue to be, but Tamiya has lost the thread on this one. If you can find a tube, scoop it up right away. Maybe if we all lobby Tamiya enough, they’ll bring this industry icon back.
PROS
– Easy to apply gel
– Good holding power
– Relatively inexpensive
CONS
– Cap always leaks
– Discontinued (but lots still out there)
CONTACT
Tamiya
www.tamiyausa.com
Liquid Thread-Lock
Part #87004
Street price $5.00
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