Nylon washers and more color
1999-10-05 by J. Larry Hendry
A little research and experimenting to report to the group:
Unlike one lucky stiff on the list, I have been unable to find black nylon
washers to go under my MOTM corner screws so as not to scratch the front of
the MOTM panel. And, I have had zero luck finding any colored washers to
use on my multiples (to illustrate which is connected to which). However,
I have found a method to color my small # 8 nylon washers black and the
metal washers that come with my switchcraft jacks a variety of colors.
I tried lots of things, including food color on the nylon. That actually
works well, but doesn't seem to come in black. Go figure. My best success
to-date has been colored markers. There is a national brand called
"Marks-A-Lot" permanent markers. They usually come with a big wide chisel
point. These work perfectly for turning those non-colored nylon washers
black (better than a sharpie). And, it was quick. They dry in only
seconds. They will also write on metal. So, I tried them on the metal
washers that come with the switchcraft 1/4" jacks. They work quite well.
If you try hard enough, you can rub the color off with your finger.
However, once behind the retaining nut where they cannot be rubbed directly
across, it is as good as permanent. The nut driver didn't scratch the
color any when tightening.
So, I am off to Kinkos and other office supply places this week to see just
how many easily distinguishable colors I can find of these markers.
I kind of like this better than my last plan which was to use colored
plastic laminate behind the retaining nuts. Coloring the metal washers is
easy to see, yet very subtle at the same time.
Anybody else still looking for or having any luck with color?
Larry H.
Unlike one lucky stiff on the list, I have been unable to find black nylon
washers to go under my MOTM corner screws so as not to scratch the front of
the MOTM panel. And, I have had zero luck finding any colored washers to
use on my multiples (to illustrate which is connected to which). However,
I have found a method to color my small # 8 nylon washers black and the
metal washers that come with my switchcraft jacks a variety of colors.
I tried lots of things, including food color on the nylon. That actually
works well, but doesn't seem to come in black. Go figure. My best success
to-date has been colored markers. There is a national brand called
"Marks-A-Lot" permanent markers. They usually come with a big wide chisel
point. These work perfectly for turning those non-colored nylon washers
black (better than a sharpie). And, it was quick. They dry in only
seconds. They will also write on metal. So, I tried them on the metal
washers that come with the switchcraft 1/4" jacks. They work quite well.
If you try hard enough, you can rub the color off with your finger.
However, once behind the retaining nut where they cannot be rubbed directly
across, it is as good as permanent. The nut driver didn't scratch the
color any when tightening.
So, I am off to Kinkos and other office supply places this week to see just
how many easily distinguishable colors I can find of these markers.
I kind of like this better than my last plan which was to use colored
plastic laminate behind the retaining nuts. Coloring the metal washers is
easy to see, yet very subtle at the same time.
Anybody else still looking for or having any luck with color?
Larry H.