Changing socket plates

[mills82]

Good afternoon all,

I have begun changing the socket plate in the kitchen and am finding it extremely difficult to blindly mate to machine screw into the thread.

Please can someone offer advice or tips?

Thanks!

Andy

 

[littlespark]

and if you completely strip the thread, just force in a wood screw

Countersunk, of course

 

[buzzlightyear]

If you are still having trouble, get a rethreading tool like this...Draper Expert Rethreading Tool 3.5 x 0.6mm - https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p58127?searchstr=rethreading%20tool
And buy a pack of long machine screws like these Electrical Screw 3.5 x 75mm - https://www.toolstation.com/shop/Electrical/d190/Electrical+Accessories/sd2620/Electrical+Screw/p74658

i have two in tool box just in case one fails.

 

[NDG Elecs]

A torch can help to see if it in the right position..

 

[Jason Philip]

I like to have some M4 screws and threading tap, in the spares box in the back of the van, just incase someone has screwed the box into oblivion, sometimes it will get me out of a pinch.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

If the lugs are well back a long thin bradawl can be a help. With the faceplate away from the wall pass the bradawl through the hole on the faceplate and into the lug, then feed the faceplate down the bradawl and onto the wall, you know it is in the right position then for the screw to find the lug.

 

[Midwest]

I thought that I had inadvertently found myself on one of those risqué web sites, not that I would now how to find one. Longer screws, good screws, extension studs, tools, right position.

Ohh matron.

 

[Toneyz]

Pet hate of mine is cutting 3.5 screws. Fine if it's done correctly and well, which I find about 99% of the time it isn't. The badly cut screw then ruins the backbox thread, which makes changing faceplates a job well up on the hate list.

FWIW I carry 25mm, 35mm, 40mm, 50mm, 75mm M3.5 Screws. And just to be sure, extension studs as well.

Were you in the Scouts?

 

[MDJ]

Good afternoon all,

I have begun changing the socket plate in the kitchen and am finding it extremely difficult to blindly mate to machine screw into the thread.

Please can someone offer advice or tips?

Thanks!

Andy

? say again.

 

[telectrix]

sometimes slightly longer pins will make it easier to see to line up with the lugs.