Clever ways to put washer, lock washer, and nut on bed bolts

[hairdog]

I am at the installation phase of my 1966 C20 bed wood and rails. I was wondering if any of you folks have figured out a clever way to fit the washer, lock washer, and nut onto the bolt. My fingers must be fat because I have trouble fitting them and the two washers up into the channel, then holding them up there until I can also get the nut into the channel and get it threaded onto the bolt.

I have toyed with the idea of super-gluing the nut and washers together but there probably is a better way.

[61hawk]

Originally Posted by hairdog

I am at the installation phase of my 1966 C20 bed wood and rails. I was wondering if any of you folks have figured out a clever way to fit the washer, lock washer, and nut onto the bolt. My fingers must be fat because I have trouble fitting them and the two washers up into the channel, then holding them up there until I can also get the nut into the channel and get it threaded onto the bolt.

I have toyed with the idea of super-gluing the nut and washers together but there probably is a better way.

Grease works in holding everything together.

If you're using the stainless steel nuts and bolts, use anti-seize to keep the threads from galling, because the only fix is to snap the bolt if it happens.

[LVPhotos]

X2 on antisieze for SS. I use wax at work for store fronts. So if you want a clean surface the wax will melt away instead of grease

[geezer#99]

I’ve used grease to keep washers in place.
For tight spots that a socket wouldn’t fit on I used a box end wrench with a piece of tape across the opening to keep the nut trapped in place.