Another use for Rodico

[bangster]

Probly everbody else already knows this trick, but I just discovered it.

To install a screw in a hard-to-reach place (like for a front-mounted movement) put a wee dab of Rodico on the screw head and jam the screwdriver into it. It'll hold (instant screw-holder) while you start the screw, then pick it off the screw head and finish tightening.

I humbly accept your thanks for this bit of wisdom.

bangster

 

[harold bain]

Bang, great idea. I use a dab of grease, but rodico sounds like it might hold better.
For slotted screws I have a couple of different size screw holders, but the worst are Phillips head screws for being difficult to hold

 

[David Robertson]

Bang, great idea. I use a dab of grease, but rodico sounds like it might hold better.
For slotted screws I have a couple of different size screw holders, but the worst are Phillips head screws for being difficult to hold

And yet another material that is touted is the wax from a wax toilet bowl gasket. I think this will be limited to the US.. as I don't think British toilets use wax gaskets.. correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Richard Haliburton]

I think rodico is God's gift to watchmakers!

 

[Mike Phelan]

And yet another material that is touted is the wax from a wax toilet bowl gasket. I think this will be limited to the US.. as I don't think British toilets use wax gaskets.. correct me if I am wrong.

Not heard of them, David, and cannot really imagine what they are for!

 

[Jerry Kenney]

I find that a magnetized screwdriver works great for installing those hard to reach screws, also for retriving them when they get away.
I keep a large rare earth magnet within arms reach and just one swipe of the screwdriver on it will allow screwdriver to hold any steel screw.
Sometimes being magnetized can be a nusance so I keep a one shot electronic demagnetizers nearby. This is also useful for the small desk clocks with balances. They have steel balance pivots running in steel cone bearings and when magnetized will sometimes not run at all. One pulse on the demag will solve this.

 

[RJSoftware]

I like using plumber's putty, which I believe is simular to Rodico, to mount mantle type clocks.

Put 1 small ball of it under each corner/leg and smoosh the clock down on it. It prevents minor annoying rocking and allows you to customize/level the clock and makes it sturdier when winding.

RJ

 

[David Robertson]

And yet another material that is touted is the wax from a wax toilet bowl gasket. I think this will be limited to the US.. as I don't think British toilets use wax gaskets.. correct me if I am wrong.

Not heard of them, David, and cannot really imagine what they are for!

It is a heavy wax gasket between the toilet bottom and the floor.

 

[bangster]

I find that a magnetized screwdriver works great for installing those hard to reach screws, also for retriving them when they get away.

Okay for steel screws, but not brass ones.

bangster

 

[burnz]

The vast majority of the time--I use the screwdrivers that hold the screws by tension. You can get them from supply houses--marts etc. They are plenty long enough and make a difficult job much easier. No magnets--no adhesives--wax etc.
These are for slotted screw heads. If the screws are for mounting--there is no particular reason to use a phillips head.

 

[alskogen]

where do you find Rodico? never heard of it

 

[harold bain]

Burnz, if the clock came with Phillips head mounting screws, it goes home with them, unless the heads are damaged (as they often are). But you are right, Phillips head screws are not the best

 

[RJSoftware]

I wouldn't mind using the wax ring from toilet. Long as it wasn't a really badly used one. Would'nt want any brown wax.

RJ

 

[bangster]

where do you find Rodico? never heard of it

Get it from Timesavers and elsewhere. It's a kneadable, rubbery substance akin to the kneadable typewriter-key cleaners of yesteryear. So far as I can tell, one small package of it should last several lifetimes.

bangster

 

[Mike Phelan]

where do you find Rodico? never heard of it

It is made by Bergeon and any material dealer should have it.

David
Our toilet bowls just use a rubber gasket or nothing at all if on a wood floor.

RJ
Plumbers' putty is linseed oil and whiting - a bit messy for clocks. For stopping a mantel clock rocking (and saving the furniture) I use little self-adhesive felt discs - here they are available at stationers in various sizes from, say. 10mm.

I use Rodico for fiddly case screws on Napoleons (and a torch!). Many of these are brass.

Torch=flashlight!

 

[burnz]

Mike,
Glad to see you explained the torch as being a flashlight.

I had a hard time visualizing you "torching clocks".

 

[bangster]

Mike,
Glad to see you explained the torch as being a flashlight.

I had a hard time visualizing you "torching clocks".

With some clocks, the temptation would be overwhelming.

bangster

 

[burnz]

Yeah Bang---I certainly understand that one!

 

[Mike Phelan]

Burnz
You ain't seen me with a pile of quartz clocks!

I wonder what our American friends would think of [colour=blue]this[/colour]?

If you did any flashing here, you would get arrested and put on the sex offenders' register.

 

[RJSoftware]

I feel a bit like Alice. Tumbling down the rabbit hole.

Ah well, I was hoping (sorta that is) to see you standing in front of a large blazing fire, chuck full of quartz clocks, with an evil grin...

Maybe dancing arround it like an Indian spewing large gulps of whiskey that make the fire blaze higher.

Well, you never know.

RJ

 

[Mike Phelan]

How did you manage that, RJ? Google Earth? Am I being watched? It was red wine, though.
I save the Laphroaig for Xmas!