Dodgy back boxes

[avinalarf]

Hello all

Have any of you had metal back-boxes which you just can't get screws into? I had to break off a faulty socket outlet cover and hacksaw the screws off in order to remove them X(

Now, trying to put on the new SO, I can't get the screws in! It's just grinding off the thread!

Any solutions to this very irritating problem (apart from dig back-box out of wall and replace!).

Thank you.

 

[betty swollocks]

i think you need something like this to re thread the holes for your new screws

my wholesaler does them for about

 

[avinalarf]

Ta Betty - does this really work then?

I'll see if I can get one from my local CEF!

 

[Jono Pashley]

CEF usually stock the CK branded rethreaders used mine a couple of times seems to work alright.

 

[Theorysparky]

B+Q do them

longer handle

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=rethreader&x=29&y=9

 

[betty swollocks]

they work a treat, come across the same problem with new boxes from time to time

 

[Apache]

Nat

More info here

http://www.talk.electricianforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=347

 

[Evans Electric]

Nat , as the others have said, you need a 3.5 mm tap , most useful, always have one in your box.

A lot of people will force switch plate screws in when they are cross threaded, then you inherit the problem trying to get them out again , as you say , really anoying.

Oh don't forget if its a really old installation , those screws will be 4BA ( the old imperial size) Either save them to re-use or they will tap out to 3.5mm.

Deke

 

[jl-heating]

i know i will be wrong but i thought it was a 2ba thread .. ??? (.)(.)

 

[Andy™]

i know i will be wrong but i thought it was a 2ba thread .. ??? (.)(.)

the old 2BA is around M4 IIRC. socket bolts are M3.5

the re-thread tool is a vital tool - very quickly sorts out anything cross threaded or any other problems

 

[jl-heating]

we had a 2ba in the van god knows what we sued it for .. ?? i was sure it was back boxes lol..

 

[Evans Electric]

2BA were used in circular conduit boxes, JL , now M4 in metric.

 

[avinalarf]

Nat , as the others have said, you need a 3.5 mm tap , most useful, always have one in your box.A lot of people will force switch plate screws in when they are cross threaded, then you inherit the problem trying to get them out again , as you say , really anoying.

Oh don't forget if its a really old installation , those screws will be 4BA ( the old imperial size) Either save them to re-use or they will tap out to 3.5mm.

Deke

Deke, it's a 70's build. That's not classed as "really old" is it ; \ ?

 

[Andy™]

Deke, it's a 70's build. That's not classed as "really old" is it ; \ ?

much older than me

 

[Evans Electric]

Deke, it's a 70's build. That's not classed as "really old" is it ; \ ?

Depends on how old you are I suppose Nat. We went metric in the early 1970s can't remember the year . Apache will come up with an answer , you know what he's like . There are a lot of imperial threads and sizes still about. if you are replacing light fittings ,say, on conduit boxes , save all the screws to use again.

Deke

 

[Apache]

Depends on how old you are I suppose Nat. We went metric in the early 1970s can't remember the year . Apache will come up with an answer , you know what he's like . There are a lot of imperial threads and sizes still about. if you are replacing light fittings ,say, on conduit boxes , save all the screws to use again.Deke

Do you mean decimalisation? 15th Feb 1971

we've still not gone properly metric!

"barman, I'd like 473 millilitres of beer, please"

etc etc

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Hello allHave any of you had metal back-boxes which you just can't get screws into? I had to break off a faulty socket outlet cover and hacksaw the screws off in order to remove them X(

Now, trying to put on the new SO, I can't get the screws in! It's just grinding off the thread!

Any solutions to this very irritating problem (apart from dig back-box out of wall and replace!).

Thank you.

Just to concur with all the other's input..

A thread re-cutter is an absolute essential tool in an electricians toolbox nowadays.

The el-cheepo mass produced back boxes (no longer produced in good Ole Blighty) have threads that are crap, crap, & crap.X( X(

There was a time when Deke & I (probably GH as well) was still in our shorts at primary school, (we still wore the red high heels & black stockings though!Blushing) when threads were cut proper!B-) and you only needed to re cut them if they had corroded cuz they were left in a damp wall for 10 years

But 90%+ of todays back boxes IMHO need thread re-cutting.

Part of my normal installation routine is...

1/ Cut brick to sink box in.

2/ Knock out blanks.

3/ Fit grommets.

4/ Re-cut threads.

5/ Feed in cables & fix to wall as appropriate!!

So Nat get your re-threader ASAP.

 

[Apache]

Even I have a re-threader

 

[avinalarf]

Don't worry - already purchased thanks to "FleaBay"!

Apache - hope you don't use that re-threader on any of your patients :^O .

 

[Apache]

Apache - hope you don't use that re-threader on any of your patients :^O .

cats