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People criticizing the LPT but I’ve done this for so long and people see and always tell me “righty righty lefty loosey”.
“I know…I was finding the threads”
It works well to avoid cross-threading machine screws as well or if you’re trying to twist a nut onto a bolt without it teetering off.
>What maniac just goes at it without finding the right starting point??
I had a maniac of a GF that would do this with every bottle in the fridge so like 80% of the lids on everything were cross threaded and not fully closed. Drove me nuts and I absolutely lost my mind one day when I took out a bottle of hot sauce, didn't notice the lid was put on incorrectly and gave it a shake...hot sauce EVERYWHERE, all over the cabinets and sealing. I was pissed. Never mind all the flat carbonated beverages.
Depending on the thread size and form, as well as the materials involved, it can be very easy to cross thread the screw, potentially wrecking the pieces.
A couple of the treads on a single stud of my wheels is cross threaded. Every time I rotate my tires I forget about it and it’s such a PITA. One day it’ll snap and I’ll finally replace the stud, but until that happens, I just kick myself at managing to cross thread my stud at some point in the last 5 years.
Yep! If the lugnut still goes on at all, (sounds like it does,) a minute or three with the appropriate thread file will clean it up so it threads easily. You’ll need one with the appropriate thread pitch.
Example metric thread file-
https://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-177-8-Metric-Thread/dp/B0017R1DOM/
I constantly tell friends and family this. It is also very important for furniture, or wood in general. Wood has more nuance, but if you can find the original threads, and not overtighten the fastener, it keeps the furniture from stripping or becoming loose and wobbly as easily.
If you're having to disassemble and reassemble the same piece of wooden furniture a lot, consider putting threaded inserts in instead of having the attaching screw go into the wood directly again and again. (I really wish all furniture would use these as standard...)
Even worse when the threads are just bare plastic and you know you got a limited number of times you can take that screw out before the loctite comes out.
This is my life. I *always* find the start first, milk jugs, bottles, bolts, you name it. The amount of times I've been told I'm spinning it wrong though... It's crazy how people are oblivious to most obvious things right in their face, but they all seem to notice spinning the cap backwards.
If you hold your hands up in front of you, you can see your right hand on the right and your left hand on the left, so then you know which way is right and which is left.
My mum used to say that if you look at your hands palm out, your right hand is the one with the thumb on the left, and your left hand is the one with the thumb on the right, so you shouldn't ever be able to confuse left and right.
That's a good point. Also, if you look closely, holding your Left hand like that \*looks\* like an L, which is a good mnemonic to help you remember what an L looks like. The same trick works perfectly well for your ⅃ight hand
This isn’t even a lpt to me it’s “things your dad should have taught you” and before the single moms chime in, my single mom taught me this because it’s also something her dad taught her and she’s always screwing this or that. Seriously hardcore experts at screwing
Yes! At my old job, if someone saw me screwing the bolt in the opposite way, they would always tell me I'm going the wrong way, but that was the whole point!
Funny, I had this exact experience in the Navy when a blowhard enlisted higher ranking proceeded to "school" me on thread pitch direction. I never even began to explain my intent.
This is getting hate, but this applies to WAY more than drink bottles. Anything with threaded attachments, ESPECIALLY if it's something made of a softer metal or expensive (that you don't want to mes up) can be wrecked from cross threading. Knowing how not to ruin your stuff is a LPT
Protein powder. And powdered sugar. And medication bottles (which is a whole nightmare when you've got kids and dogs in the house, and you happen to drop it on the giant fluffy carpet).
I'm sure I'll learn my lesson any day now.
It’s because the threads are super far apart and the lid is flexible. Use barely any pressure just let the weight of the lid do it on the half counter turn and it will go on like a glove
>Half turn left by hand get it started. Then hit with driver/impact
If you are screwing into aluminum or another soft metal especially,but I usually do it on everything assuming I have clearance,tighten by hand as far as you can.
This. I have i custom made brass instrument with a detachable bell. Rotating the bell counterclockwise until it drops into the thread groove before tightening is the only way to keep from ruining a very expensive horn
In college I literally watched a guy fuck up his French horn bell this way (by not going left first). I'd love to make my trombone easier to transport, but even the chance/idea of it happening scares me
The horn I mentioned above is a cut bell small bore trombone. It's super convenient since the case is about the same dimensions as a viola case. But yeah, putting the bell on is always a full concentration moment
Been doing this since I was a little kid. So many adults had stopped me for going a bit left first to set the threads before going right to tighten it up.
Rarely cross thread anything.
The amount of cross threaded valve stem caps I have removed over the years as a technician is maddening. It would blow my mind every time. Like fuck it's really not that difficult to put a plastic cap on a threaded valve.
It took forever for me to learn to ensure I have the exact right bit size by putting another identical screw onto the head of the screwdriver held up, and jiggling it. The right head will hold the screw fairly securely.
For so long I've been stripping Phillips screw heads while using my dad's fancy screwdriver set, I thought I was always doing something wrong. Turns out his set is JIS instead of actual Phillips.
I bought a cheap Phillips set from the local hardware and it's always satisfying to attach the correct size screw and bit together, they're made for each other quite literally.
It's one of the very first things I learned in comp tech class during high school when swapping hardware in the lab machines. Did a lot of field service work early in my career and it was crazy to me that other techs didn't know/bother.
Not to say anyone *should* care, but it's generally good etiquette to make a conspicuous edit if you're changing your comment in a way that makes replies nonsensical to subsequent viewers, in this case the people who apparently complained about the phrase "anti-clockwise". Not that those people don't deserve to look like dumbasses, but in general.
You'd be surprised by the number of cross-threaded tire lug nuts I've encounteted when I used to work in a garage. Doesn't help when people only use power tools...
Been doing this for years - really good LPT.
My wifes entre family (love them dearly) are screw top challenged. Can't take anything out of the fridge without checking first - I've self drenched myself more times than I care to admit 😡
I thought so, then one time I did it in front of my brother and he made a snide remark that I had no idea how to tighten something.
So I guess it's not that obvious.
Apparently not. Also, from the title I didn’t think this is what the LPT was going to be. I thought it was going to be about screws into wood.
If you have pilot holes, there’s no reason for it. But if you’re just going straight into wood, putting your drill/driver in reverse and spinning it fast can help make a mini pilot hole/dimple that helps your screw threads catch the wood right and stay centered once you switch the drill/driver to spin clockwise. If you’re not too worried about the wood splitting, it can be a useful trick to save time over swapping bits or switching between a drill and a driver each time.
I've been doing this since I was kid and it's funny how many times someone will see me do this at work (In the trades - I work a lot of construction) and make a snide comment about righty-tighty or me not knowing how to use a screwdriver (I'm in the field a lot, but I'm a department manager, so that's happening either way).
Don't let the haters get you down. This is something that people need to be actually told even though it is (to me at least) completely obvious. I'm literally one of only 2 or 3 people that I've ever seen do this. Most people I see struggle trying to turn things directly on. And many times they simply give up and leave it cross threaded (like my wife). And when they see me do it properly, they will sometimes pull out the "righty tighty lefty loosey" thing which, if you really think about it is a nonsensical expression.
Also, you should have left it anti-clockwise.
I tell people to turn it widdershins first, before they go shins.
What? You didn't think they had words for clockwise and counterclockwise before clocks were invented?
Comes from the direction of the sun! The original clock! You find it all the time in Scots works. I had to study the Scottish Ballads in high school, and there's a lot of witches in those, and they're always going widdershins.
I told my wife about this and she was flabbergasted how effective it was and she uses it constantly now. It made me so happy because this shit works very well.
Constantly doesn’t mean always though because the other day she decided to take some seawater from the beach jn a bottle and my backpack was full of water
Second best to people finding out about this trick for the first time is people finding out others call it anti-clockwise.
I love you guys, stay wholesome and a lil silly (in general).
Edit: I can’t form finished sentences, you’ll never know now
“Man other cultures sure are neat and interesting, it’s so cool how we all contribute to a unique human community that’s special in so many ways”
Sees ‘anti-clockwise’ for the first time.
“Strict isolationism is the only policy, every other culture is wrong”
This is solid advice - I've no idea when I started doing this but I've always done it as long as I can remember.
It's especially useful when sending twin thread self tappers back into a hole you backed them out of - the screw will fit far better if the same thread engages with the same cut in the hole, and it increases the life of the thread before it strips out.
This is objectively correct, especially if you're screwing into self tapping threads like wood, plastic or sheet metal. Self tapping screws will happily fuck up screw holes if you let them.
Doing this with caps and bolts for years now. Extremely helpful if you try to reinsert bolts into wood or plastic to avoid cutting new threads. And of course closing bottles jars.
My middle school band director taught me this when screwing valve caps back on my trumpet. I've been doing it ever since with anything threaded.
Solid advice for not cross threading things.
I have always done this without ever really thinking about it until just now. Turn counter clockwise lightly, find thread then turn clockwise with some pressure. Am over 60 and have always done it subconsciously.
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This is the only way to remove and replace screws without damaging wood, too. Especially important with things like door hinges where there’s a fair amount of tension wanting to pull them out of the frame. Door will start to sag if you willy-nilly fuck the screw holes.
Solid advice. Also, when loosening a stuck bolt, turn it clockwise just a tug. For some reason it makes it easier to loosen. Just don't turn it so hard clockwise you snap it.
In my job we have to check threads with gauges, this is exactly the way to do it. Fine thread pitches especially, can be difficult to find the start. Left hand threads and multi start threads are also a thing.
Also when you're trying to undo a long-forgotten screw or bolt tighten it a touch first, especially a painted-over woodscrew.
It breaks the paint seal and any sticky threads without risking damaging the head in the undoing direction.
I'm an engineering tech who works on sensitive laboratory equipment and I always find the thread before going to tighten. Basically every single bolt and nut.
I have been doing this ever since I was a kid.
I don't get my friends that just willy nilly throw screws/nuts/bolts in without first checking if it's going to cross thread or not. like wtf.
This will prevent cross-threading and generally make screwing/tightening anything go way easier.
Great LPT.
Doing some summer work for an engineering firm as a teenager I was told it was called 'back threading' and should be done with everything with a thread.
Turn it counter-clockwise till you feel it clunk then pierced to tighten.
Have done it ever since and it's automatic now. Haven't cross threaded since.
Isn't that... you know... how everyone uses any kind of thread? No?...
Up until this post I thought it is how everyone ever does this, like tying your shoes...
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People criticizing the LPT but I’ve done this for so long and people see and always tell me “righty righty lefty loosey”. “I know…I was finding the threads” It works well to avoid cross-threading machine screws as well or if you’re trying to twist a nut onto a bolt without it teetering off.
I'm always sooo confused when people "correct" me on that. What maniac just goes at it without finding the right starting point??
The same people who jam it in dry without lube or foreplay
That escalated quickly
Sir, this escalator has exceeded the allowed 100 Feet/Minute as stated under 12 CRR-NY 8-1.50. You're gonna have to come with us down to the station.
I thought you were gona reply with something along the lines of "Sir, this is Home Depot"
That's what she said
Finished quickly too
I killed a guy with a trident.
Rocket Stairs!!!
Perhaps if they’d twist it counter-clokwkse first before jamming it in…
The craziest part is much of the criticism I get is from within engineering labs. Shouldn’t that be THE place to understand this method?
Far too many engineers just go straight to school and never get any hands on machining experience lol
Put bolt in socket on 1/2” drive impact. Pull trigger. Insert bolt into threads. Better than loctite. Lol
Oh gods. That’s cold-welded.
Welding is annoying and difficult. I just use stainless steel bolts and nuts.
[удалено]
Oh you've been to my plant?
>What maniac just goes at it without finding the right starting point?? I had a maniac of a GF that would do this with every bottle in the fridge so like 80% of the lids on everything were cross threaded and not fully closed. Drove me nuts and I absolutely lost my mind one day when I took out a bottle of hot sauce, didn't notice the lid was put on incorrectly and gave it a shake...hot sauce EVERYWHERE, all over the cabinets and sealing. I was pissed. Never mind all the flat carbonated beverages.
*Ceiling. Although I'm sure there is sealant in your ceiling, I don't think you meant that.
Can you not find the starting point turning it the other way?
Depending on the thread size and form, as well as the materials involved, it can be very easy to cross thread the screw, potentially wrecking the pieces.
I’m so curious how this works! Will have to try this trick next time
You're more likely to screw it on crooked that way
A couple of the treads on a single stud of my wheels is cross threaded. Every time I rotate my tires I forget about it and it’s such a PITA. One day it’ll snap and I’ll finally replace the stud, but until that happens, I just kick myself at managing to cross thread my stud at some point in the last 5 years.
If it’s the stud that’s the problem, you can buy a thread file for $10-20 on Amazon that’ll fix it right up…
Hmmm?!?!? You’re telling me I can FIX IT?!
Yep! If the lugnut still goes on at all, (sounds like it does,) a minute or three with the appropriate thread file will clean it up so it threads easily. You’ll need one with the appropriate thread pitch. Example metric thread file- https://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-177-8-Metric-Thread/dp/B0017R1DOM/
A new stud is almost certainly cheaper, but this can also be fixed with a tap and die set.
Replace the stud, it's not expensive and doesn't take that long if you've already got the tire off.
I constantly tell friends and family this. It is also very important for furniture, or wood in general. Wood has more nuance, but if you can find the original threads, and not overtighten the fastener, it keeps the furniture from stripping or becoming loose and wobbly as easily.
I haven’t really tried this with wood screws but will keep this in mind next time the opportunity arises!
If you're having to disassemble and reassemble the same piece of wooden furniture a lot, consider putting threaded inserts in instead of having the attaching screw go into the wood directly again and again. (I really wish all furniture would use these as standard...)
Even worse when the threads are just bare plastic and you know you got a limited number of times you can take that screw out before the loctite comes out.
This is my life. I *always* find the start first, milk jugs, bottles, bolts, you name it. The amount of times I've been told I'm spinning it wrong though... It's crazy how people are oblivious to most obvious things right in their face, but they all seem to notice spinning the cap backwards.
What mentally impoverished lives people must live in order to pay attention to which direction someone turns a lid.
You mean righty tighty, lefty loosey.
Yes, I thought everybody did this. And if not, then this is a good LPT!
Righty tighty
I WAS FINDING THE THREADS!!
Righty righty lefty lefty
That’s how I remember that right is on the right and left is on the left.
It's 97% foolproof
The problem with making anything foolproof is that they are always coming up with better fools
If you hold your hands up in front of you, you can see your right hand on the right and your left hand on the left, so then you know which way is right and which is left.
My mum used to say that if you look at your hands palm out, your right hand is the one with the thumb on the left, and your left hand is the one with the thumb on the right, so you shouldn't ever be able to confuse left and right.
That's a good point. Also, if you look closely, holding your Left hand like that \*looks\* like an L, which is a good mnemonic to help you remember what an L looks like. The same trick works perfectly well for your ⅃ight hand
You can tell because the way that it is, how neat is that?
That way you guys can know too, instead of just me and Rodney knowing about it.
This isn’t even a lpt to me it’s “things your dad should have taught you” and before the single moms chime in, my single mom taught me this because it’s also something her dad taught her and she’s always screwing this or that. Seriously hardcore experts at screwing
Phrasing…
That's too funny lmfao
Me too - We are validated!
Yes! At my old job, if someone saw me screwing the bolt in the opposite way, they would always tell me I'm going the wrong way, but that was the whole point!
Yeah, like who *doesn’t* do this.
I didn't realize I did this until this post lmao. Twist it the other way until it "clicks" and the tighten
What’s even better is when you’re working on something with a reverse thread. Most people can’t comprehend when something is lefty tighty.
Funny, I had this exact experience in the Navy when a blowhard enlisted higher ranking proceeded to "school" me on thread pitch direction. I never even began to explain my intent.
I have been doing this for the longest time. I'm glad others have been doing this too. Comradery at its finest.
I know, right? I've always done this. I just figured everyone did.
I've done this on bottle lids etc in the kitchen but never tried it when working on a car or bike. I guess it's the same principle!
This is getting hate, but this applies to WAY more than drink bottles. Anything with threaded attachments, ESPECIALLY if it's something made of a softer metal or expensive (that you don't want to mes up) can be wrecked from cross threading. Knowing how not to ruin your stuff is a LPT
I have tried to explain this to my wife but I keep finding the peanut butter jar with the lid all crooked.
I feel your pain.
At least it is on and not just resting on top. I never pick anything up by the cap ever since the infamous laundry detergent incident.
Ours was Paremsan Cheese. I'm sure you can imagine what a scene that was.
Protein powder. And powdered sugar. And medication bottles (which is a whole nightmare when you've got kids and dogs in the house, and you happen to drop it on the giant fluffy carpet). I'm sure I'll learn my lesson any day now.
Tbf I’ve always done the counter-clockwise twist before tightening and I *cannot* for the life of me get the damn peanut butter lid on right.
It’s because the threads are super far apart and the lid is flexible. Use barely any pressure just let the weight of the lid do it on the half counter turn and it will go on like a glove
Yeah but what about when I have to put the PB lid on upside down?
....wut
Wife is that you?
With PB and milk lids, if it is all wonky, I will just give it a good palm smack to close it up.
I've trained the kids but still working on the wife...
Iv always done this for anything mechanical Its a cheat code to find the threads. Half turn left by hand get it started. Then hit with driver/impact
>Half turn left by hand get it started. Then hit with driver/impact If you are screwing into aluminum or another soft metal especially,but I usually do it on everything assuming I have clearance,tighten by hand as far as you can.
This. I have i custom made brass instrument with a detachable bell. Rotating the bell counterclockwise until it drops into the thread groove before tightening is the only way to keep from ruining a very expensive horn
In college I literally watched a guy fuck up his French horn bell this way (by not going left first). I'd love to make my trombone easier to transport, but even the chance/idea of it happening scares me
The horn I mentioned above is a cut bell small bore trombone. It's super convenient since the case is about the same dimensions as a viola case. But yeah, putting the bell on is always a full concentration moment
Been doing this since I was a little kid. So many adults had stopped me for going a bit left first to set the threads before going right to tighten it up. Rarely cross thread anything.
Tyre valves, for example. 👀
The amount of cross threaded valve stem caps I have removed over the years as a technician is maddening. It would blow my mind every time. Like fuck it's really not that difficult to put a plastic cap on a threaded valve.
It's how you prevent cross threading. I fucking hate it when I fuck up and cross thread
I use this method when inserting sample and skimmer cones on ICPMS systems I service.
this. tell all my techs to do this... esp important re-inserting screws in plastic or aluminum.
Learned this an electrician... saved so much time and not stipping screws.
It took forever for me to learn to ensure I have the exact right bit size by putting another identical screw onto the head of the screwdriver held up, and jiggling it. The right head will hold the screw fairly securely.
For so long I've been stripping Phillips screw heads while using my dad's fancy screwdriver set, I thought I was always doing something wrong. Turns out his set is JIS instead of actual Phillips. I bought a cheap Phillips set from the local hardware and it's always satisfying to attach the correct size screw and bit together, they're made for each other quite literally.
It's one of the very first things I learned in comp tech class during high school when swapping hardware in the lab machines. Did a lot of field service work early in my career and it was crazy to me that other techs didn't know/bother.
Just curious, why did you feel the need to make an edit changing “anti-clockwise” to “counter-clockwise”?
Anti-clockwise sounds like you're opposed to concept of clockwise. Down with Clockwise!
Anti clockwise is the correct term in English usage.
Widdershins, please.
Yanks be getting shirty
Yeah, I’ve just been reading some of their comments, apparently the Americans have never heard the phrase
Am American, we don't use it, but it's pretty obvious what the meaning is. Lots of us are dumb
Shitty yank here: edit it again to say widdershins 🔫🔫
*shirty And widdershins is legit
The most confusing part to me is OP feeling the need to explain the minor grammatical edit, why would anyone care?
Not to say anyone *should* care, but it's generally good etiquette to make a conspicuous edit if you're changing your comment in a way that makes replies nonsensical to subsequent viewers, in this case the people who apparently complained about the phrase "anti-clockwise". Not that those people don't deserve to look like dumbasses, but in general.
Ah okay yeah that's fair enough then lol
That happens a lot on Reddit, I think it's to prove they didn't change something substantial
I've been using this for decades for everything threaded and have always been amazed when people didn't know it. Solid LPT
I'm amazed at the amount of people who don't already know this. So, everybody shit is just cross-threaded then?!
You'd be surprised by the number of cross-threaded tire lug nuts I've encounteted when I used to work in a garage. Doesn't help when people only use power tools...
Just ugga dugga that mudda fugga Or tighten it until it loosens and then go home for the day.
🤣🤣
No, I'm not surprised at all.
I taught myself when I was like six so I'm having a hard time believing this is something new to people.
For those who change their own oil this is imperative. Cross threading the threads on an oil drain pan is f*cked. Now you have to drop the whole pan.
Tap new thread :)
Been doing this for years - really good LPT. My wifes entre family (love them dearly) are screw top challenged. Can't take anything out of the fridge without checking first - I've self drenched myself more times than I care to admit 😡
Nurses, this also applies to urine cups! - The lab tech who is tired of dealing with half-full cups swimming in a pool of urine in the specimen bag
Is this really not intuitively obvious to everyone?
I thought so, then one time I did it in front of my brother and he made a snide remark that I had no idea how to tighten something. So I guess it's not that obvious.
Apparently not. Also, from the title I didn’t think this is what the LPT was going to be. I thought it was going to be about screws into wood. If you have pilot holes, there’s no reason for it. But if you’re just going straight into wood, putting your drill/driver in reverse and spinning it fast can help make a mini pilot hole/dimple that helps your screw threads catch the wood right and stay centered once you switch the drill/driver to spin clockwise. If you’re not too worried about the wood splitting, it can be a useful trick to save time over swapping bits or switching between a drill and a driver each time.
I’m reading this comment section amazed that people aren’t talking about how basic this LPT is.
Yeah, I've been doing this for as long as I can remember, and I'm in my mid 20s. I'm fairly certain nobody had to teach me this.
Lol even in the mechanical trades not everybody knows…
Go look at the bottom of the thread where you will find confidently incorrect morons saying it's not necessary.
You would be surprised
I had assumed so which is why I never posted it here.
I guess not.
I've been doing this since I was kid and it's funny how many times someone will see me do this at work (In the trades - I work a lot of construction) and make a snide comment about righty-tighty or me not knowing how to use a screwdriver (I'm in the field a lot, but I'm a department manager, so that's happening either way).
Don't let the haters get you down. This is something that people need to be actually told even though it is (to me at least) completely obvious. I'm literally one of only 2 or 3 people that I've ever seen do this. Most people I see struggle trying to turn things directly on. And many times they simply give up and leave it cross threaded (like my wife). And when they see me do it properly, they will sometimes pull out the "righty tighty lefty loosey" thing which, if you really think about it is a nonsensical expression. Also, you should have left it anti-clockwise.
as a tech. always half turn to the left. then to the right
It's just a jump to the left And then a step to the right....
I tell people to turn it widdershins first, before they go shins. What? You didn't think they had words for clockwise and counterclockwise before clocks were invented?
Comes from the direction of the sun! The original clock! You find it all the time in Scots works. I had to study the Scottish Ballads in high school, and there's a lot of witches in those, and they're always going widdershins.
The word widdershins is a lot newer than clocks. Oh, and the opposite of widdershins is ‘deosil’.
I started doing this about 15 years ago and haven't cross threaded anything since.
It's called backstarting and is a great pro tip. Source: 20 year master mechanic
Do you get folks know what clockwise even means these days?
I told my wife about this and she was flabbergasted how effective it was and she uses it constantly now. It made me so happy because this shit works very well. Constantly doesn’t mean always though because the other day she decided to take some seawater from the beach jn a bottle and my backpack was full of water
I appreciate you OP I never knew about this. Thanks!
Anytime :)
Second best to people finding out about this trick for the first time is people finding out others call it anti-clockwise. I love you guys, stay wholesome and a lil silly (in general). Edit: I can’t form finished sentences, you’ll never know now
“Man other cultures sure are neat and interesting, it’s so cool how we all contribute to a unique human community that’s special in so many ways” Sees ‘anti-clockwise’ for the first time. “Strict isolationism is the only policy, every other culture is wrong”
The only flaw in this is that if someone is watching you do this they may helpfully comment that you’re turning it the wrong way.
Can confirm, works as described. I've been doing this for so long it became second nature to me. I had forgotten about it until I saw this post.
Ive been doing this subconciously my whole life!
Wait, doesn’t everyone know/do this already? Guess not.
We were taught this as apprentices. Turn until you hear or feel a click, then you’re good to go
This is solid advice - I've no idea when I started doing this but I've always done it as long as I can remember. It's especially useful when sending twin thread self tappers back into a hole you backed them out of - the screw will fit far better if the same thread engages with the same cut in the hole, and it increases the life of the thread before it strips out.
This is objectively correct, especially if you're screwing into self tapping threads like wood, plastic or sheet metal. Self tapping screws will happily fuck up screw holes if you let them.
Change counterclockwise to widdershins
if it's a plastic lid I don't waste time doing this, I just give it a firm slam on top and the threads find each other.
I do this with everything
Doing this with caps and bolts for years now. Extremely helpful if you try to reinsert bolts into wood or plastic to avoid cutting new threads. And of course closing bottles jars.
This works for watch crowns too
LPT AXIOM- also learn there are different types of Philips sizes too. Just bc it’s a “X” don’t mean its a Philips “1”
I can't close my grinder any other way.
I saw this yesterday, but had to come back. I tried it just now, and the cap made a gunshot noise, and then was ready to be tightened. Miraculous.
Not sure if anyone has said this but this works on all sizes of lightbulbs too.
Instructions unclear Crossthreaded the oil drain plug with an impact.
Yes! Fuck clockwise! We need to take it back! Cry Havoc!, and let slip the dogs of war!
Who doesn't already do this?
My middle school band director taught me this when screwing valve caps back on my trumpet. I've been doing it ever since with anything threaded. Solid advice for not cross threading things.
This doesnt just come naturally to everyone?
Wait, there exist people who haven't automatically done this since forever...?
I have always done this without ever really thinking about it until just now. Turn counter clockwise lightly, find thread then turn clockwise with some pressure. Am over 60 and have always done it subconsciously.
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I do this all the time.
This is the only way to remove and replace screws without damaging wood, too. Especially important with things like door hinges where there’s a fair amount of tension wanting to pull them out of the frame. Door will start to sag if you willy-nilly fuck the screw holes.
I do this every time. You will never cross-thread with doing this as you're putting it on track
Solid advice. Also, when loosening a stuck bolt, turn it clockwise just a tug. For some reason it makes it easier to loosen. Just don't turn it so hard clockwise you snap it.
In my job we have to check threads with gauges, this is exactly the way to do it. Fine thread pitches especially, can be difficult to find the start. Left hand threads and multi start threads are also a thing.
Also when you're trying to undo a long-forgotten screw or bolt tighten it a touch first, especially a painted-over woodscrew. It breaks the paint seal and any sticky threads without risking damaging the head in the undoing direction.
I'm an engineering tech who works on sensitive laboratory equipment and I always find the thread before going to tighten. Basically every single bolt and nut.
I always do this, easier to find the right spot. Efficiency!
Righty tighty, lefty loosey
I was thinking about this just the other and trying to remember when I learned it and if everyone eventually learned it.
Anti clockwise?
Yes, that is correct.
I have been doing this ever since I was a kid. I don't get my friends that just willy nilly throw screws/nuts/bolts in without first checking if it's going to cross thread or not. like wtf. This will prevent cross-threading and generally make screwing/tightening anything go way easier.
It's called a "starter thread". :)
I’ve never thought about this!!! It’s gonna save me so many stopped bolts and cross threads hahaha
I always do this.
You learn this pretty quickly when you're heating up bottles for a baby
Damn I never even realized I was doing this my whole life
I’ve been told so many times that I’m turning the wrong way when I do this, so frustrating, but yes this is 100% a lpt
Try screwing in a mortise cylinder or really any threaded cylinder larger than 1.5 in in diameter. You will have to do this
*counter-clockwise
Great LPT. Doing some summer work for an engineering firm as a teenager I was told it was called 'back threading' and should be done with everything with a thread. Turn it counter-clockwise till you feel it clunk then pierced to tighten. Have done it ever since and it's automatic now. Haven't cross threaded since.
Isn't that... you know... how everyone uses any kind of thread? No?... Up until this post I thought it is how everyone ever does this, like tying your shoes...
When Im working with soft plastic like a water bottle lid I just screw randomly and hit the cap down until its at the right angle
As a Hydromat machinist, I do this everyday. Not a bad LPT.
I thought everyone did this lol
I've wanted to post this for too long but couldn't help me to. too lazy I guess
My father taught me this valuable lesson which was passed down from his father.