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Author stripped screw hole in junction box
John

2006-08-29, 3:25 am

Sometimes, when working on receptacles I run into stripped screw holes.
These holes are built-in to the junction box which is made of plastic or
some brownish and brittle material.

I suspect this was caused by someone trying to overcome a too-crowded (or
poorly laid out) junction box by using these screws to force the receptacle
into the box.

What is the solution without replacing the junction box?



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Richard J Kinch

2006-08-29, 9:25 am

John writes:

> What is the solution without replacing the junction box?


Drill and tap the next larger size screw.
John Grabowski

2006-08-29, 9:25 am


"John" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:44f3d3e5$0$8868$88260bb3@free.teranews.com...
> Sometimes, when working on receptacles I run into stripped screw holes.
> These holes are built-in to the junction box which is made of plastic or
> some brownish and brittle material.
>
> I suspect this was caused by someone trying to overcome a too-crowded (or
> poorly laid out) junction box by using these screws to force the

receptacle
> into the box.
>
> What is the solution without replacing the junction box?
>
>
>


For plastic boxes a #6 drywall screw is a common solution. For metal boxes
I normally retap the hole with a 6/32 or 8/32 tap.
> --
> Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
>


professorpaul

2006-08-29, 9:25 am

Some years back, I picked up a really handy tool -- looks like a
screwdriver, but with multiple taps --6-32, 8-32, and 10-32. Very easy
to use for this sort of situation.

Jeff Wisnia

2006-08-29, 1:25 pm

professorpaul wrote:

> Some years back, I picked up a really handy tool -- looks like a
> screwdriver, but with multiple taps --6-32, 8-32, and 10-32. Very easy
> to use for this sort of situation.
>


Yes, I have one of those too, but it only works if the hole is deep
enough (or goes right through the part) to get to the larger sizes you need.

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
"Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength."
maradcliff@UNLISTED.com

2006-08-30, 3:25 am

On Mon, 28 Aug 2006 23:38:45 -0700, "John" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote:

>Sometimes, when working on receptacles I run into stripped screw holes.
>These holes are built-in to the junction box which is made of plastic or
>some brownish and brittle material.
>
>I suspect this was caused by someone trying to overcome a too-crowded (or
>poorly laid out) junction box by using these screws to force the receptacle
>into the box.
>
>What is the solution without replacing the junction box?


Oversized self tapping screw or sheet metal screw.

yeeha

2006-08-30, 9:25 am


John wrote:

> What is the solution without replacing the junction box?


just slide a tootpick or two into the hole
then the screw can bite and pull, it will hold

gfretwell@aol.com

2006-08-30, 1:25 pm

On Mon, 28 Aug 2006 23:38:45 -0700, "John" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote:

>Sometimes, when working on receptacles I run into stripped screw holes.
>These holes are built-in to the junction box which is made of plastic or
>some brownish and brittle material.
>
>I suspect this was caused by someone trying to overcome a too-crowded (or
>poorly laid out) junction box by using these screws to force the receptacle
>into the box.
>
>What is the solution without replacing the junction box?



You answered your own question. If the box is too small it should be
replaced with the right size.
LinkBot





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