Backbox Disaster

[soulman]

Hi, I returned to a property today for second fix, all was going well until i hit the sockets! The metal backboxes i installed, the fixed lug on one side would not hold the screw. The screw would just turn & not nip up. There was 6 in total out of 30 that were faulted. (Appleby)
Anybody got any ideas on how i could rectify this without removing the boxes.

Cheers

 

[a1colly]

Is it the adjustable/sliding lug or the fixed one? Re tap out and use a larger machine screw is a possibility that I've done

 

[Daveash123]

You could try squeezing the lug to close up the hole a bit then run a 3.5mm tap through it. It has worked for me in the past

 

[soulman]

No it's the fixed one.

 

[Matthew168]

Another possibility is to give the lug a squeeze with pliers to make the existing hole more oval shaped then re tap the hole, sometimes works!

 

[shanky887614]

easy fix, drill the back of the box and tap so you can use long pins. I picked up some 75mm long 3.5 pins the other day

(drill through the existing lug then you know it will line up)

 

[Maestro]

can you get in the lug from a fast a fix box and screw to the side of the box, can the 3.5 not be retapped, or can put ptf or insulated tape round the screw to make it bigger

 

[Matthew168]

Or drill a hole in the back of the knock out box behind the lug then tap the hole out and use a longer 3.5mm fixing screw

 

[R G]

You could remove the lug or bend it back ,drill a 3.5mm hole in the back of the box and tap it with 3.5mm tap , then put in an extension screw , then use a normal 3.5mm screw , but watch the length of the screw though, thats what I have done in the past,,

 

[Matthew168]

I'm too slow at typing!

 

[shanky887614]

3 identical posts right next to each other, does anybody read all posts before posting?

 

[Marvo]

Deja vu http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk...d-someone-please-tell-me-what.html#post937821

 

[Brightspark2]

3 identical posts right next to each other, does anybody read all posts before posting?

 

[snowhead]

3 identical posts right next to each other, does anybody read all posts before posting?

 

[soulman]

Cheers for the replies

 

[R G]

3 identical posts right next to each other, does anybody read all posts before posting?

I think we all posted at the same time mate ,,,

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Hi, I returned to a property today for second fix, all was going well until i hit the sockets! The metal backboxes i installed, the fixed lug on one side would not hold the screw. The screw would just turn & not nip up. There was 6 in total out of 30 that were faulted. (Appleby)
Anybody got any ideas on how i could rectify this without removing the boxes.

Cheers

get pliers and close up the screwhole slightly...then tap it out 3.5mm again...

 

[jaypp]

deleted as I double posted the post below

 

[jaypp]

can you get in the lug from a fast a fix box and screw to the side of the box, can the 3.5 not be retapped, or can put ptf or insulated tape round the screw to make it bigger

Don't do this unless you earth the back box

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Don't do this unless you earth the back box

depends..

if its the fixed lug thats gone then yes..

if its the adjustable floating lug...then not necessary

 

[Deleted member 9648]

When rewiring 60's houses I always save the accessory fixing screws,the imperial thread is coarser than a metric M3.5 and usually takes on a stripped thread. A stock of 'em on the van saves a lot of grief.

 

[MDJ]

I have an idea, why not move this thread to the DIY forum

 

[Engineer54]

This is the difference between being new and being skilled and experienced!! Being able to think and work these sort of things out on your feet. Skill and experience doesn't only apply to the technical aspects of the job!!

 

[egginyourface]

I've been in this situation few times. I drill a 5mm hole in the back box in line with the lug then pack a couple of wood splinters into the hole. I then screw normal socket screw into it and it holds nicley

 

[Engineer54]

I've been in this situation few times. I drill a 5mm hole in the back box in line with the lug then pack a couple of wood splinters into the hole. I then screw normal socket screw into it and it holds nicley

Drilling through the back of the back box would be my very Last solution, and normally only then, if the tab has snapped off the box. In the case of a new installation, not exactly what the customer/client is paying for though is it....

 

[High Tower]

Seriously??

Just wrap a few turns of ptfe round a new pin!

 

[mark80]

Get some socket screw extension studs (google them, should be a link to amazon) and use a removable lug from another backbox and screw the stud in, using the good lug as a washer behind the knackered one. Then tada! Works a treat for me everytime, no drilling or anything!

 

[babylonsBurning]

mark80, I like your suggestion the best so far!

 

[mark80]

Cheers mate. Only spotted these studs by chance in a wholesaler ages ago and thought they'd get me out of a few situations with knackered lugs beyond repair, and they have certainly have! Definitely a necessity to have lying around in ya fixings box IMO

 

[Richard Burns]

I have used flattened out U clips tapped to 3.5 and clipped onto the faulty lug.

 

[jaypp]

depends..

if its the fixed lug thats gone then yes..

if its the adjustable floating lug...then not necessary

Indeed. I should have expanded but I'm male, lazy and a slow typer!:smiley2:

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Indeed. I should have expanded but I'm male, lazy and a slow typer!:smiley2:

nowt wrong with that...

some in here are just proving themselves to be slow...

 

[nickblake]

Never a disaster there is always a way round it the guys on this site are so talented in little problems like tis thats why we are all here the way I would do it as has probably been mentioned is b removing a unfixed lug and using it as basically a nut bit fiddly to get it on but it works a treat bugger for any one removing it in the future mind lo

 

[onions1066]

Bit of earth sleeving in the hole in the lug screw through the middle job done

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 4

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Get some socket screw extension studs (google them, should be a link to amazon) and use a removable lug from another backbox and screw the stud in, using the good lug as a washer behind the knackered one. Then tada! Works a treat for me everytime, no drilling or anything!

Hi Mark80,

love this idea, just wondered though, can you still get a screw in the extension stud, as their won't be much room left from accessory to stud for a screw....

 

[mark80]

Yeah, you're basically hoping the backbox is not perfectly flush with the wall or you might struggle a bit. Sometimes I just have to cut the screw down to get it all the way in, but never had a problem yet TBH.

 

[Guest111]

A bit of araldite in the hole,put screw in then let the araldite harden before screwing to full tightness.

 

[JD6400]

I always do as Mark says and use hexagon brass screw extenders , but put 2 x 3.5mm brass nut's pinched up on the back as well , ( get them from the wholesalers at the same time ) that way the extender will not work loose and just spin round if the accessories is unscrewed again .
You do have to be careful though as to the length of finishing screw to use as it has less space to go before bottoming out , and if not cut cleanly the threads will pick up on the brass extension and you are back to square one !