If I use a bolt as an axel, how do I keep the wheel in place with a nut without the nut coming loose?

Question

I made a little cart out of PVC. For an axel, I'm using a 3' threaded zinc rod that's 1/2 diameter...it's like a long bolt with no head. The first thing I put on the rod is a big flat washer, then the tire and then a hex nut. I did this on both sides of course. Problem is that when I use the cart, the turning of the wheels makes the hex nuts come loose and I have to constantly tighten them. Is there some way that I can tighten the nut and have it stay in place? when the wheels turn, so does the axel.

Answer 1

Try tightening another nut against the side of whichever nut you don't want to turn.

Just get them together and use to spanners to get them really tight.

Known as a 'locking nut'

You can also get nuts with nylon on to stop them turning.

Answer 2

1.  Hammer the end of the rod so the bolts won't back off.

2.  If you have a welder, touch the end of the rod and nut at the same time.

3.  drill a hole through the end of the rod and slip a tiny cotter pin through the hole-works good,

4.  double the nuts and tighten them tight.  

I've covered only 4 out of a thousand, hope you get it fixed

Answer 3

Drill a small hole thru the nut and thread rod and insert a pin in it.

Answer 4

Use 2 nuts on each side. Tighten the first one down to where you want it then the second one down to the first use 2 wrenches and tighten the nuts together. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

You can use "self locking nuts".  They have a nylon insert in the threads that grip the bolt and won't turn without a wrench.  Neater and less expensive than double nuts or liquid thread locker.

Answer 6

Use one of the following products:

JB Weld (can purchase at Home Depot)

Generic Epoxy (which lists metal)

If you want it to come back off:

Generic Thread Locker (from auto parts store)

Teflon tape

Free:

Destroy threads so it cannot twist off