Circlip retention?

[Malcolm Stewart]

I've just bought an astronomical tripod which uses "E" shaped circlips to retain a spring and a washer around the telescope mounting bolts. There appears to be a properly cut groove in the bolt to take the circlip, but I'm having difficulty getting the circlip to stay in place. If I loose it and the spring, washer combo (out in a dark field at night!), I'll lose quite a bit of functionality, and as it uses USA thread sizes, I'm keen to secure said circlip in place. Have thought of a dab of Superglue, or winding some tinned copper wire around thread adjacent to circlip and soldering copper wire in place.

Any other ideas please

Thanks

[Set Square]

Is it not staying in its groove because it's too big and won't snap into place?

If that's the case, can't you find another circlip which is a bit smaller, and *will* stay in place. Circlips are made in all sorts of shapes and sizes - so I image that there must be something suitable out there somewhere if you look in the right place.

For example, a quick Google search brought up

this any good?

[Harry Bloomfield]

Malcolm Stewart wrote on Sunday (25/01/2004) :

If the circlip's groove is too shallow, then file it a bit deeper with a needle file. If the circlip is simply loose, then you should be able to tighten it by squeezing the ends together.

[MrCheerful]

functionality,

MrCheerful

[Combine Harvesters are EVil]

Harry Bloomfield retched Circlip retention? onto my recliner:

No wonder your wife always looks so happy.

[Michael McNeil]

Get your money back, have them fix it or explain what you are doing wrong.