Is "snug" good enough for arbor nuts?
After my neighbor used my tablesaw, I could barely remove the arbor nut, he had installed it so tightly. I learned to just snug it. A “neighborly” exchange of ideas ensued. Who’s correct?
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Because the threads tighten in the direction opposite to the rotation of the blade, the arbor nut tends to tighten, rather than loosen, as the blade spins.rn
Q:
After my neighbor used my tablesaw, I could barely remove the arbor nut, he had installed it so tightly. I learned to just snug it. A "neighborly" exchange of ideas ensued. Who's correct?
—James Watkins, West Valley City, Utah
A:
Stick with snug, James. To keep from loosening during use, arbor nuts thread in the opposite direction of the blade rotation, making the nut, in effect, self-tightening. So, secure the arbor nut firmly without straining your muscles.
Let your neighbor know that if he works too hard tightening the nut, he risks fusing the threads or bending the arbor shaft.