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How to retap screw hole for electrical switch plate

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How to retap screw hole for electrical switch plate blueman 01-11-2008
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Posted by blueman on January 11, 2008, 1:41 pm
One of the switch plate screws keeps popping out from the threaded hole
in the sheet metal ears of an Aube timer switch. The screw (and
threads) are the standard #6-32 size.

Short of replacing the timer (about $40), is there any way to
rethread/retap the hole in the switch so that the switch plate will
hold securely?

I would imagine that electricians run into such a problem quite often
and must have devised many clever solutions...

Posted by JoeSpareBedroom on January 11, 2008, 1:50 pm
> One of the switch plate screws keeps popping out from the threaded hole
> in the sheet metal ears of an Aube timer switch. The screw (and
> threads) are the standard #6-32 size.
>
> Short of replacing the timer (about $40), is there any way to
> rethread/retap the hole in the switch so that the switch plate will
> hold securely?
>
> I would imagine that electricians run into such a problem quite often
> and must have devised many clever solutions...


If you find that you can't re-tap the hole, how about using speed clips for
both holes, and replacing the screws with sheet metal screws? Rough up the
screw heads with some emery cloth, prime them, paint them.....it's a 9 hour
job to fix one small thing. Aren't they all this way?



Posted by John Grabowski on January 11, 2008, 1:59 pm

> One of the switch plate screws keeps popping out from the threaded hole
> in the sheet metal ears of an Aube timer switch. The screw (and
> threads) are the standard #6-32 size.
>
> Short of replacing the timer (about $40), is there any way to
> rethread/retap the hole in the switch so that the switch plate will
> hold securely?
>
> I would imagine that electricians run into such a problem quite often
> and must have devised many clever solutions...



Try a #6 wood screw or retap for 8-32


Posted by dpb on January 11, 2008, 2:15 pm
John Grabowski wrote:
>> One of the switch plate screws keeps popping out from the threaded hole
>> in the sheet metal ears of an Aube timer switch. The screw (and
>> threads) are the standard #6-32 size.
>>
>> Short of replacing the timer (about $40), is there any way to
>> rethread/retap the hole in the switch so that the switch plate will
>> hold securely?
...
> Try a #6 wood screw or retap for 8-32

Oh, there are lots of ways... :)

Epoxy a #6 machine screw nut behind the hole
Peen the hole w/ a flat punch to force material into the center
Burr the threads on the screw a little
Wrap some teflon or even aluminum foil around screw
...




Posted by TH on January 11, 2008, 2:44 pm
> One of the switch plate screws keeps popping out from the threaded hole
> in the sheet metal ears of an Aube timer switch. The screw (and
> threads) are the standard #6-32 size.
>
> Short of replacing the timer (about $40), is there any way to
> rethread/retap the hole in the switch so that the switch plate will
> hold securely?
>
> I would imagine that electricians run into such a problem quite often
> and must have devised many clever solutions...

A tiny touch of JB Weld or other epoxy on the screw threads will do
the trick.
It will hod tight, but you'd still be able to break the bond if you
needed to replace it.
If you try to re-tap, you will have a hard time matching the screw
head, way more work than is needed.

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