Paraffin wax, generally found near the home canning supplies, is an excellent thread-lock and “anti-seize” lubricant for steel or aluminum threads that are in contact with aluminum or brass. Most carbon and aluminum arrows have aluminum or brass inserts to add weight. Steel target points, field points, broadheads, and even aluminum screw-in or glue-on adapters can work loose after repeated shooting. To tighten them, melt a little paraffin wax on the screw-in threads and hand tighten. The wax gently locks the threads, and the point will stay put.
Paraffin wax is better than anti-seize compounds because it is inexpensive and does not react with any of the metals we generally use (aluminum, brass, carbon steel, stainless steel). Commercial thread-lock will work, but it is hard to reverse. If the threads coated with paraffin wax become hard to unscrew, a little heat from a lighter on the point will melt the wax and lubricate the threads. As a bonus, arrows that have snaked into the grass and haven’t been found for months will still have threads that work.
Plain old string wax works well too and folks generally have that in their tool box. Talking about the yellow bee’s wax type not the white stuff in a tube.
I use the white stuff in the tube(Brownell bowstring wax) and it seems to work fine. I’ve only applied it once in a month and so far it works great.
I used parafine a long time ago for that purpose.
As well I use it for my take-down bows to avoid moisture inside the limbs and bolts.
Also very usefull to protect the blades inside the bow quiver.
Good trick.
Many thanks Trad Bow.
Regards
Good comment about threadlocker. Even the weaker stuff is still incredibly strong, great to stop bolts vibrating loose on your Harley but not on anything you want to loosen by hand.
Great tip! I use bowstring wax with bee’s wax in it & it works great.
Great tip. I switched to aluminum arrows because I liked their consistency in spine and weight but hated that the points would always loosen making a lot of noise. This worked really well without using lock tite.
I have used aluminum arrows almost exclusively for years and after trying different remedies to keep points tight on them I came across a hint about using the white plumbers tape on the threads. One small piece wrapped ( counter to the threads so it doesn’t unrap) around the thread keeps the points in without loosening until you want. I have some carbons that I purchased once and the plumbers tape works well on those also. I have found that it will even keeps broad heads in place.
All good suggestions. Points coming loose is really annoying. I did use string wax for years but switched to the white Teflon tape, the yellow for gas lines is too heavy. Usually about twice around the threads works good for me , and I never need to retighten.
I’ve been rubbing bees wax on mine, and I suspect in the field conifer pitch would work great too. I just grab the nearest candle or string wax and rub it on the threads, no melting needed.
Yes indeed !
I am using it for years and always nowadays.
Ordinary teflon tape is a much better choice. Wax works, but it loosens on a hot day. Teflon tape is cleaner, does not soften when warm, seals the threads against moisture, does not loosen, and is easy to disassemble.