Tasco turret caps stuck - screws out turret

[Bibbyman]

I stuck a Tasco scope on a rifle and when I went to sight it in, the cap covering the turret adjustment was very tight. In fact, so tight the turret unscrewed from the body. RATS! It looked to be a new scope I'd got in a trade many years ago. Anyway, I went to plan B and installed a Tasco scope id had on another rifle I knew was ok. But again, the caps were so tight on this one that both turret adjustment bases screwed out.

Has anyone experience in repairing the turrets? Getting the caps off with or without destroying them?

 

[joe40x]

Put a small dot of loctite on the turret threads, screw them back down and let them sit overnight. In the morning unscrew the caps.

 

[Bibbyman]

The adjustment turret is metal but the turret base appears to be plastic. Will Loctite lock metal to plastic? What color of Loctite do you suggest red? Blue?

 

[joe40x]

Since these scope are most likely well out of warrentee, I would use red loctite or you might try fingernail polish in what ever color you prefer.

 

[Bibbyman]

In addition to Locate to hold turret on turret boss, do you think some passive heat on the caps would help free them up? I'm thinking hold up near light bulb until warm to touch.

BTW, Welcome to THR and thanks for your help.

 

[joe40x]

Don't know.

I don't know if the expansion coefficent of the plastic would be more or less than of the metal caps...it might make it better, or worse...I duuno!

 

[joe40x]

Sorry, I was overthniking the problem. I guess the heat from a hair drier couldn't hurt. Just be careful not to heat it untill the plastic softens. Or, for that matter, throwing them in the freezer, or in this weather, outside over night might work too. Let me know what works!

 

[Bibbyman]

I don't know either. Both times I went out to sight in the rifle it was below freezing. Both times the caps wouldn't break loose. I thought maybe the caps tightened up from the cold.

I have another Tasco scope on a rifle in the house and the caps screw off normal. But they look to be steel.

 

[joe40x]

Loctite first and then heat or cold. As long as the torque of the cap exceeds the torque of the turret, you will not get anywhere. You have to create mechnical bond to hold the turrets in place before you remove the caps.

 

[Bibbyman]

Well, it may have worked. The Loctite red did a good job but not strong enough. The turits twisted out again. This time they apear to be stripped. The only recourse I can see is to take a Dremel tool and cut the caps of. Then try epoxy the turits back into the base.

 

[cocon]

You might try and fully unscrew the turet and degrease the threads. Roughen the clean threads slightly with a needle file and use locktight or plastic pipe cement to re joint. Leave a couple of days then press the cap top onto a hot cloths iron for 8 to 10 seconds and then unscrew. Brass and aluminium are not good bedfellows! A little grease is always helpful to stop them binding.

 

[natman]

Epoxy the turrets back in. Then hold the scope with the cap down and put a drop of Kroil on the threads. Come back in the morning and remove the cap.