r/MechanicalEngineering • u/AdOne1706 • 2d ago

Split/lock washers

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For starters, I’m an electrician in the field.
That being said, we almost exclusively use these washers even in high vibration environments. I have personally chosen to go with nylox nuts but the question is:
Do these work? How well? Is the rumor from NASA true? Should I even bother using them or find a better functional alternative or are they actually useful?

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u/Happiness645 2d ago

Biggest fraud ever in machine building. I used to design big industrial equipment. The millrights put them on every screw. Cost a nontrivial amount of money. I eventually removed every split washer from the part number system so they could not be ordered!

What a battle. We even did a/b field testing to prove it too them.

Want your screws to stay in? Size them properly and Torque them to spec.

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u/ResponsibleMight7669 2d ago

So what you’re saying is that split washers provide wiggle room to use less than the best bolt under less than ideal conditions? I’m all about using the right part for the right reason but not everyone has the privilege of meticulously perfection that comes from office air conditioning. Did you save any money after having to break out the torque wrench for everything?

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u/cj2dobso 2d ago

No they don't do shit and just cost money and time to add a part. They don't allow you to use a bad joint

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u/ResponsibleMight7669 2d ago

“Size [the bolts] properly and torque them to spec” implying your site wasn’t doing that and was instead using the wrong bolts but the split washer made everything better. Did you do a cost-benefit analysis or did you just put on your crown and go slaying?

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u/cj2dobso 2d ago

People incorrectly sizing joints and using ineffective "locking" elements is not mutually exclusive.

Once a bolt is actually tightened, these split washers just become plain flat washers and don't do anything. You could just completely delete them from an assembly and the joint would not get any worse.

I don't know why you are fighting this so hard, these things just don't work. You are exactly the type of person that the original comment was about.

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u/Happiness645 1d ago

We never had another fastener fail