[JamesCH95]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Why steer clear?

Often times on our robots, due to our standardization on #10-32s and our love of lightweight manufacture, we can never even get close to proper preload on a bolt before we destroy the parts clamped. In these situations the spring force of a spring lock washer is helpful.

I agree for properly preloaded joints they aren't the solution, but it's surprisingly rare that we can properly preload on our robots without going to impractically small fasteners.

Link to older post.

Split lockwashers can cause bolts to work loose from vibrations sooner than normal. I'm coming from mostly automotive experience on this one, and have had miserable luck with split lock washers. I now avoid them on principal and haven't had an instance where I wish I used them (car, robot, or otherwise).

A belville or wave washer (or even an o-ring under the bolt head) might work for what it sounds like you're doing. But if you've never had an issue it's hard to argue with empirical evidence on FRC robots.