Busted a screw thread on my lovely PC-60 - any ideas?

[MCS]

I must have screwed the thumb-screw in too tight. Its the one holding the graphics card in of all cards too! It just spins in the hole. It's not the screw, I have tried a couple. Any bright ideas?

 

[buffhr]

why not try a bigger screw or bigger thembcrew should do the trick

 

[MCS]

Thought of that but I imagine its hard to get hold of a slightly bigger thumb screw?

 

[buffhr]

maybe dunno go to your hardware store and bring one with you and check it out also maybe try some teflon on the screw threads might work you never know

 

[titanium]

Cut a piece of electrical tape or plumbers tape and wrap it around the threaded part of the screw. It will increase the size of the screw while letting the threads do their job. Without milling a new hole, its the best thing I can think of.

 

[MCS]

I'll give it a go...thanks.

 

[titanium]

No prob - good luck. I used that remedy and totally forgot about it. When I went to change that card I was pretty impressed that it held up that long.

 

[jugornot]

Get the proper size nut for the screw put it on finger tight and epoxy or crazy glue the nut in place. HTH

 

[MichaelD]

Agree w/Titanium. Teflon tape works wonders! However, next time you take everything out of your case, tap the hole for the next size up screw. Safer that way. Actually, the Teflon tape trick will prolly work well. This isn't a LAN case, right? It won't be getting moved around all that much; the tape trick will prolly do 'ya for quite sometime, especially if you don't take the card out a lot. Good luck, MCS.

 

[TimberWolf]

Find some 18 Gage solid copper wire ("Bell" wire is perfect) and hammer the end of it flat, about 1/4 inch long or so. Stick the flattened end in the hole, insert the screw into the hole and turn slowly until the screw threads start to engage. If they won't catch at first, you may have to flatten the wire a bit more. Once the screw does engage, don't reef it down like you did the last time . . . When the screw is tight, flex the wire to break it off.

As an alternative, with an "extra pair of hands" around, have the other person hold the round end of a small ball pein hammer against the back side of the hole - this will act as an anvil. Use a flat-nose punch (centered on the hole) and tap lightly with a larger hammer. This will slightly flatten the metal around the hole, causing it to "shrink". Again, use care re-installing the screw.

 

[idgaf13]

Go to hardware store ask for a self-tapping screw show them the screw which fails to work.
you will have to use a screwdriver to put it in.
Or get a small bolt and nut with machine thread and you are good to go.

 

[MCS]

Thanks for your help everyone!

I tried the electrical tape idea but unfortunately as I tried to screw it in the tape just got pushed up the screw and would not stay wrapped around. I guess I either have cheap tape or too thick tape. I will try some different tape.

Timberwolf - nice thorough answer I will give your idea a try, sounds like a good permanent fix!

 

[TimberWolf]

Old sheetmetal fab tricks.

The wire idea usually needs to be re-done if you remove the screw later. The same trick spplies with toothpicks and wood screws, but that's a different venue (unless you're modding an oak case ).

"Shrinking" the hole, if done carefully, can provide a somewhat permanent fix. These guys sell ball-end punches for exactly that kind of solution.
Item Link

 

[kgraeme]

Timberwolf, just want to say thanks. I don't have a screw problem at the moment, but I'm writing that tip into my "how to fix anything" book. (Not a book I'm writing, just one I look stuff up in. )

Hopefully my tap and die kit will collect even more dust from now on.

 

[MCS]

Thinking of going for the shrinking the hole idea. I just need to find the parts (I am not from the US).

Cheers!