A mainsail batten tensioner screw question

[facciatosta]

What is the purpose (if any) of this little hole with red substance in the tensioner screw? It is not through hole.
I tried it with the finger nail - seems like some kind of wax or sealant.

Thank you.

[Cheechako]

It is intended to keep the screw from turning, coming loose.

[facciatosta]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

It is intended to keep the screw from turning, coming loose.

I forgot to mention the red substance is below the thread's root so it hardly create any friction. Shall I refill the hole with some rubberized substance that stays above the thread and create the friction or leave it the way it is?

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by facciatosta

I forgot to mention the red substance is below the thread's root so it hardly create any friction. Shall I refill the hole with some rubberized substance that stays above the thread and create the friction or leave it the way it is?

Yeah maybe. It must have come off. Some red silicone "gasket material" from the auto parts store would work. You may be able to just buy set screws with that on them.
Or you can Locktite the screw in. Dont use the red Locktite, use Blue.

[James R]

if the set screw goes into a "plastic" car be careful using loctite as it can destroy some materials. Even if you have a metal threaded sleeve in the car, if the loctite comes in contact with plastic it can cause issues.

[Moontide]

Not sure if this is the big adjustor screw or the smaller set screw. My big screws have flat sides and a small set screw is inserted on the side to keep them from backing out. The set screws don't show anything like on yours. They are not "locked" in with any thread lock or sealant but have never had any of them back out.

[bppleas]

Use a drop of blue lock tight upon installion and the thread locking ability will be restored

[facciatosta]

Thank you everyone, it is only one screw in the car and they never got loosed. I was rigging the main and notice it( after 2 years of doing it). I may resort to small drop of lock tight.