As always, I’m amazed when I discover something intrinsically obvious that I’ve never really thought about before.

For example, I just ran across this video that commences with a nut attached to a machine screw. When exposed to vibration, the nut starts to loosen and its tension falls dramatically within just a few seconds.

Next, the test is repeated using a plain washer, a helical spring washer, a check lock nut, a nylon insert nut, and a double nut.

As the narrator explains, all these solutions have in common the fact that they rely on friction to secure the bolt, but friction is not a reliable locking mechanism.

Last, but certainly not least, we are introduced to something called Nord-Lock washers. Presented as a pair, the way these little rascals perform their magic is really rather clever (and best left to the video to explain).

I don’t know about you, but I haven’t felt this excited since I was Wowed by a One-Way Tesla Valve.