Need Fix for Stripped Metal Switch Box Screw Tab
BillAllemon
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
I have a 1948 construction home with fairly heavy metal junction boxes. One of the lighting switch boxes has a stripped tab where the electrical switch mounts to the box. I believe the screw is a standard 6-32. I don’t want to replace the box, because of damaging the wall finish, etc. Is there a larger self-tapping screw that I could use to mount a new switch to this box? I thought of using a small bolt with a nut, but that would be a bit difficult to accomplish. I thought going with a larger self-tapping screw would be better, but not sure what to use. I’d appreciate any thoughts.
Replies
tap
Tap it to 8-32
http://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-627-20-Six-In-1-Tapping/dp/B000H6X69Y
KK
Thanks!
Thanks for the quick reply and simple solution. And the product link. With an old house, this will come in handy.
I had a situation with a lamp box where the strap across it had a screw hole that was stripped, so the lamp couldn't be mounted. In that case I removed the strap and "formed" the metal (pounded it with a hammer) to close up the hole, then re-tapped it. (This fix was assisted by the fact that the screw hole was in a "dimple" that could easily be pounded flat, but the same fix would work for a flat strap, you'd just need to pound it with, eg, the round end of a ball peen hammer to smush the metal together.)
If the piece holding the hole can't be removed, I'd first look at "repurposing" one of the spring metal "nuts" from a modern box. Even if the piece would not fit over the edge of the box you could perhaps tape or glue it in place behind the flange.
Electrical Box
Larger Self Tapping Screw or Fender nut. Self Tapping Screw probably the quickest.
+1 for simply tapping it out to 8-32. If it is REALLY stripped, you probably won't even have to drill a hole.
Good luck.
Triple Tap Tool
I start using the 'triple tap' tool- a screwdriver whose bit is threaded with three (progressively larger) thread forms. The usual version is made foe 6-32, 8-32, and 10-32 - all common in electrical work.
Just cleaning the damaged threads with the 6-32 tap often gives you enough thread for the original screws to bite. Otherwise, it's no problem to simply continue running the 8-32 tap into the hole.
The only downside to using 8-32 screws is that the heads look different.
Several have suggested 'self threading' screws. Please note these are NOT the screws with little drill tips, or sharp points, on them. It's a trade practice to avoid putting anything 'sharp' inside a box with wires in it.
Box hole threads are most often damaged when some handyman can't be bothered to use the right screw, and instead substitutes a drywall, sheet metal, or other screw in place.