<HTML><HTML>Thump,             While oxi= dation may be a problem, there is a way that threaded steel into the aluminu= m rail may be less likely to wear away the tap in the aluminum if a loctite = mild strength thread locker were applied to the screw before carefully guidi= ng it back in the rail.              Loc= tite produces a number of products (bonding agents in various strengths) tha= t can be administered onto threads that, when applied, and the screw put bac= k in place and it dries, it will form a bond that can be broken with regular= hand tools, (action driver or screwdriver in this case)  but will not = come loose on its own.              I'v= e also used teflon tape on screw threads, this works too. As for preventing = oxidation, I don't know of any product. I believe preserving the tapped hole= s by  careful guiding (TLC) when re placing the screw and/or using loct= ite can prevent stripping out. Julia Gottchall, Reading, PA In a message dated 12/19/03 1:09:23 AM Eastern Standard Time, tomtuner@comca= st.net writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT= : 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Tom, I merely wanted advice on = preventing additional oxidation, as this tends to mess up the flange screw threads and decrease the longevity of these quality instruments.    Thump   </BLOCKQUOTE> </HTML>