Gritty ARC AAA-P threads, even after cleaning/lubing

[Greta]

Originally posted by WildChild on 7-18-07 HERE.

The threads on my Arc AAA-P started to give a gritty feeling, like if there was sand on them. Even after I clean/lube them, this feeling stays. It seems like aluminium particles create very fast. Is there anything to do against that? I miss the days my Arc was very smooth to twist...

Thanks

 

[Greta]

Copied replies:

WildChild07-18-2007 01:54 PM
Re: Gritty ARC AAA-P threads, even after cleaning/lubing

Hum... I think it's the lube I use! It's too dry for aluminium/aluminium contact but it works very well on o-ring... I put some vegetal oil on threads and I never saw them that smooth!

snakebite07-22-2007 05:58 AMRe: Gritty ARC AAA-P threads, even after cleaning/lubing

try the radioshack lube gel.easy to get and works fine on aluminum threaded lights like arc's

paulr07-22-2007 08:12 PMRe: Gritty ARC AAA-P threads, even after cleaning/lubing

Nooooo, not RS lube gel! That stuff gets gunky and smelly after a while. I might try some of the nyogel available on the non-lights b/s/t thread.

koala07-23-2007 05:17 PMRe: Gritty ARC AAA-P threads, even after cleaning/lubing

Vegetable oil may work very well but they solidfy and becomes sticky and gunk. Same with the general purpose 3-in-1 light oil, they solidfy. I have seen some better 3-in-1 that are synthetic that will work better.

I got a tube of Nyogel from BST lately, I am hooked, no way I am going back to other lube. Oh make sure you clean your threads very well so the old lube and deposits does not mix with the new.

Quote:
Originally Posted by WildChild (Post 2045103)
Hum... I think it's the lube I use! It's too dry for aluminium/aluminium contact but it works very well on o-ring... I put some vegetal oil on threads and I never saw them that smooth!



voodoogreg07-27-2007 12:56 PMRe: Gritty ARC AAA-P threads, even after cleaning/lubing

Keep in mind I use my ARC AAA-P every day. It's on a small key reel on my pants. I really use the light a ton, probably 50 times a day.

I have the two from when he started up again (like the 2nd batch i'd say)
and once when I was replacing a pad and cleaning it/lube it I decided to
compare it to my Peak mattie lug ultra po I was also overhauling.

With O-rings off, donut off the ARC, and all threads(head and body tube) completely cleaned but not lubed, I noticed that the ARC machining in general is pretty lousy regarding tolerances, thread fit (really sloppy) and one tube is 1mm shorter then the other AAA-P bought at the same time.

In contrast the peak tolerances where much tighter, threads smoother, (almost didn't need an O-ring) and generally better fit and finish.

But I prefer the ARC! it's the tint, the O-ring and donut make for particular "feel" that I like when turning on, and easy grip with the sandpaper
type knurling.

Keep in mind I got mine pretty early after Peter was back in business, so I can only comment on my two, not pre-MTS AAA's or latest AAA's. VDG

 

[WildChild]

Another question... I have my Arc AAA-P since 2 years now. The head threads that were initially flat are now sharp. Over time, I've seen a few metallic particle fall from them when cleaning/changing batteries. Is a wear like this normal? I guess there is probably a chance that the head won't be able to screw anymore over time if the threads are to completely wear out?

 

[coyote]

Another question... I have my Arc AAA-P since 2 years now. The head threads that were initially flat are now sharp. Over time, I've seen a few metallic particle fall from them when cleaning/changing batteries. Is a wear like this normal? I guess there is probably a chance that the head won't be able to screw anymore over time if the threads are to completely wear out?

true true, although highly unlikely, if the approximately 3 dozen ArcAAA that i've owned is any indication. i've only had one with that problem:

i had an Arc AAA that was gritty when new and it only got grittier and grittier. like your's, particles came out. i tried different lubs, careful cleaning and even softly rotating the head back and forth. nothing helped.

eventually i get agressive with rotating the head and body back and forth using a top-quality lub hoping that might help. in no time at all the body threads wore out and then wouldn't even retain the head.

i then tried slightly mis-shaping the body opening into an oval shape thinking it might once again enable it to grab the head-threads.

alias, even that didn't help. there wasn't enough threads left to hold the head on.

in the end all i did was ruin the body. now i have a head and no body (sounds like a horror film!).

i'd suggest you return it to Peter (what i should have done right off). he's terrific to deal with and i suspect he can help.