# Belt guard screw length question

**URL:** <https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/belt-guard-screw-length-question/20548>\
**Category:** Technical Details\
**Created:** [April 6, 2024, 1:50am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/belt-guard-screw-length-question/20548 "2024-04-06T01:50:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![gizmo6023](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7feea3/32.png) [@gizmo6023](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/gizmo6023)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2024, 1:50am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/belt-guard-screw-length-question/20548/1 "2024-04-06T01:50:41Z")

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I am using the self locking nuts everywhere unless the instructions indicate non locking nuts.  
The provided M3x12 fasteners are not long enough to engage the nylon lock feature of the nuts rendering them useless for retention. I have M3x16 fasteners but they protrude 1.5mm beyond the flat portion of the belt guard. Will this extra fastener interfere with anything or should I source shorter fasteners?

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**Author:** ![dlang](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dlang/32/859_2.png) [@dlang](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/dlang)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2024, 4:35am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/belt-guard-screw-length-question/20548/2 "2024-04-06T04:35:45Z")

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Dave wrote:

> The provided M3x12 fasteners are not long enough to engage the nylon lock  
> feature of the nuts rendering them useless for retention. I have M3x16  
> fasteners but they protrude 1.5mm beyond the flat portion of the belt guard.  
> Will this extra fastener interfere with anything or should I source shorter  
> fasteners?

if anything extends past the surface of the arm, it will interfere with the next  
arm that it’s stacked against.

David Lang

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**Author:** ![gizmo6023](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7feea3/32.png) [@gizmo6023](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/gizmo6023)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2024, 5:45am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/belt-guard-screw-length-question/20548/3 "2024-04-06T05:45:02Z")

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Thank you David,  
The screws I am concerned with only protrude inside the arm half without the metal gears, see 12th image in the current assembly instructions, Belt guard installation step. Once the arm halves are assembled it is difficult to tell if the screws will clear the gears.  
I think I will order some M3x14 screws to replace these screws along with 6 screws in the inner hub as the 12mm screws do not engage the locking feature of the nuts.

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**Author:** ![dlang](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/dlang/32/859_2.png) [@dlang](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/dlang)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2024, 7:01am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/belt-guard-screw-length-question/20548/4 "2024-04-06T07:01:29Z")

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I don’t think there is any risk of hitting gears, I think the only risk is that  
they stick out the other side of the arm and interfere with the next arm.

David Lang

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**Author:** ![gizmo6023](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7feea3/32.png) [@gizmo6023](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/gizmo6023)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2024, 1:04pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/belt-guard-screw-length-question/20548/5 "2024-04-06T13:04:58Z")

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Nothing protruding where it would interfere with other arms.  
I would post an image to clear things up but I do not have that permission yet.