How to keep flashlight from unscrewing (and falling off keychain)

[New_World]

I have had issues with flashlights falling off my keychain.
sucks to loose a light.


maybe find some tight o-rings?
any very light thead lock?
where can I find this stuff?

any other tips?

thanks

[BenH]

Something like this is probably what you need - threadlock would be annoying for changing batteries, and I'm not sure the O-rings would help (unless you mean replacing the existing ones with ones that happen to be a bit stouter, which would be a bit hit and miss):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thread_seal_tape

[New_World]

thats a great idea and I already have some of that.
thanks for post!

keep the ideas coming.  =)

[Carlos]

If that doesn't work you can try this one -- http://www.henkel.com/SID-0AC83309-702838A2/thread-sealants-17555.htm
This stuff is amazing. I have one roll but I doubt I'll ever use it whole in my normal lifetime. I can mail you a few inches (and you likely use a fifth of inch, if such).

[nuphoria]

I also make a point of using a small swivel on anything that unscrews, this tends to stop things from turning round and falling off the keyring!

You can get them from fishing supplies shops.

[jekostas]

A small nylon case.  Like the ones that you get with cheap dollar store chinese knives.

[New_World]

thanks for all of the suggestions.
very helpful.

I'm going to try some teflon tape later and see how I like it.

[tattoosteve99]

Teflon tape may not work . It might interfere with the lights operation. Depending on what type of light, I would try a oring one size larger, not diameter but gauge wise.

[New_World]

Teflon tape may not work . It might interfere with the lights operation. Depending on what type of light, I would try a oring one size larger, not diameter but gauge wise.

good point.

I'll have to give it a try on the ITP A3.

[legtu]

i'd prefer shifting to a larger/thicker sized o-ring to increase friction or a combination of the o-ring + teflon tape. the swivel clip should be a must since it really helps in lessening the risk of the twisty head of a light from un-twisting.

if the light is a twisty, me thinks all of them have contact points at the end of the tube so wrapping teflon tape on the threads shouldn't cause any problems.

some clicky lights may or may not have contact points at the end tube so for those, maybe you can just wrap half of the threads with tape.

an alternative to teflon tape is teflon paste/pipe thread compound. it's a thick-gooey paste that you apply on the threads and it should remain gooey for most of it's lifetime. it'll be somewhat in-between using a thicker o-ring or teflon tape when it comes adding resistance to the twisting of the light. it won't be much of an issue with the normal operation of the light since it won't fully insulate the threads but it's gooey-ness do tend to cause some mess when it's time to open the light to change the battery.

i'm not a fan of sheaths or holsters when it comes to lights since i always want my light to readily available.

[Threeme2189]

You could always put a strip of duct tape on the outside of the light, so it catches both of the ends that swivel.
Or have I misunderstood the problem?

[New_World]

You could always put a strip of duct tape on the outside of the light, so it catches both of the ends that swivel.
Or have I misunderstood the problem?

nope, thats a good solution unless its a twisty.
I actually did that, but then my light died.
I guess I'm hard on my keychain lights.

[New_World]

ended up using an o-ring out of my spare o-rings from another light.

it is a little tight, but not too bad.
I'm not worried about it falling off now though! =)