M4 Patress Screws

[m4tty]

Hi,

Looked everywhere electrical so will prob have to go to a specialists screw shop but im looking for some patress screws but M4 instead of M3.5 and im looking for a tap to retap the thread aswell in a few socket backboxes which the plasterer has crossthreaded

Anyone got any ideas where these are available.

Thanks

Matt

 

[johninlondon1]

b&q have some B&Q - Search pattress screw also Spare Electrical Screws - Electrical Accessories - Electrical -Tools, Electrical & Plumbing - Wickes also CSK Machine Screw BZP M4 x 40mm Pack of 25 | Screwfix.com

 

[lkayelectrical]

Have you tried 3.5 retch re tapping as even if cross threading it can 99% of the time be rescued

 

[Sidewinder]

M4tty,

Tap set here:

RBK HSS TAP SET M4.0X0.7 - Buck & Hickman

Tap wrench:

RBK NO.10 LONG TAP WRENCH M3-M6 X 250MM - Buck & Hickman

I like the long ones for access.

Your nearest branch is probably West Thurrock

Buck & Hickman: The UK's leading distributor of Tools, Maintenance and Health & Safety products

Or you could try:

Tap set:

Cromwell Industrial Tools UK: Sherwood : 4.0x0.70mm HSSGT STR. FLUTE TAP SET : SHR-085-0280D

Tap wrench:

Cromwell Industrial Tools UK: Kennedy Industrial : 3.0-6.0mm RATCHETING CHUCK TYPE TAP WRENCH : KEN-518-8720K

Could not find a long one!

Locations:

Cromwell Industrial Tools UK: Branches - UK and Rest of the World

You could put these in a battery drill, or use a tap wrench links above.

You need to be sure that you can get the M4 through the accessories.

These suppliers will have screws by the box also.

You'll get 100 M4x40 CSK BZP Slotted which will look more normal @ B&H for

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Imperial screws are slightly bigger. I keep these from old stuff for these circumstances. What type of box is it? Surface pattress,s & fast fix would be easier to change as the brass,'nut' easily spins. Metal boxes you can squeeze the lug or redrill the box

 

[revjames]

wont the heads on the M4s be to big to sit in the csk Matty?

 

[Evans Electric]

Matty , as Sidey and the Bishop have said , you probably won't get an M4 screw through the hole in the accessory , then as Ikay has said , you may rescue the thread by just re-tapping with 3.5mm .

Plasterers Eh! Say no more!

Most wholesalers sell a 3.5mm tap set into a plastic screwdriver type handle , Tower Brand I think .

 

[Nicky Tesla]

the old ones are 0BA i think. These are still available at fixings wholesalers

 

[ProDave]

the old ones are 0BA i think. These are still available at fixings wholesalers

No, 0BA is huge, they were 4BA

There are plenty available if you search. Don't forget you want countersunk heads and some form of chrome or nickel plating

I would think it more worthwhile keeping a packet of 4BA screws and a 4BA tap, as it's been said before, these are slightly larger than the metric ones.

 

[tom1]

have done this once when lug was compleatly knacked, so much you could push the screw through the hole, anyway may be a bit rough but,

with some fast setting strong glue (mitre mate) i stuck a small pice of plastic behined the lug then drilled and taped it.

 

[monkey5]

tried this once with a socket front only to find te screw didnt fit thru the hole on socket front! headbang

give the lug a squeeze and rethread with 3.5mm.

wayne

 

[septiclecky]

No, 0BA is huge, they were 4BAThere are plenty available if you search. Don't forget you want countersunk heads and some form of chrome or nickel plating

I would think it more worthwhile keeping a packet of 4BA screws and a 4BA tap, as it's been said before, these are slightly larger than the metric ones.

If my memory serves me right OBA is a bout the same size as 6mm try getting that through your socket/switch fronts

 

[revjames]

I do recall wrapping a turn of tape round the screw if you are really stuck. Seems to work

 

[NozSpark]

I've also done that, but I do also have some appropriately sized wood screws

 

[m4tty]

What size please noz ?

 

[NozSpark]

Geez, now you're asking.

I bought a box full a few years ago and still have some now,,, smaller than no. 8's though

I originally bought them for a window kit extractor fan..

 

[Apache]

PTFE tape good for this