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Concerning a metal computer tower case panel door that uses the tiny computer case screws in order to secure the panel door to the side of the computer tower case;
I have 1 case where the screws do not really tighten down very well any more and are a bit loose.
Is there a kit or some alternative etc that might replace the screws in order to be able to tighten them, securing the panel door onto the case?
Thank you.
Find some slightly larger (diameter) sheetmetal screws. Avoid longer screws. The holes in the Case are probably stripped from over tightening.
There is nothing to learn from someone who already agrees with you.
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Have seen this before in the metal cases, dont think it is necessarily from over tightening, but just wear from use and never did find a screw that would work proper without having to wreck the holes, so I thought that there may be some alternative.
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I don't think you are going to get any better advice that Dumbobs. Sheet metal screws should do the job very nicely.
If you are using the proper bolts, the holes are probably already wrecked.
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If you have a decent case you probably don't even need the screws installed. I leave the screws out on my main rig without issue. If, on the other hand you have a flimsy case, which may the the case here, then you need the screw in order for the case to hold it's shape.
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The case is decent enough and I could leave the screws out, just like to secure the door onto the case is all and thought that there might be an alternative.
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You could try wrapping a little teflon plumbing tape around the screw to hold it firmly.
It's available from any hardware store, it's genearlly used on plumbing fittings such as taps to prevent water leaking.
It's very fine and pliable so should do the job.
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I never thought of teflon tape. That sounds like a good idea.
You might also try new screws of the same type. The sheet metal case is usually the weak point but sometimes there's enough wear on the screw threads to be a factor.
Most of the time the screws holding the side panel are 6-32 SAE. They're the same thread screws used to mount hard drives. The mounting screws for floppy and cdrom are 3 mm. Most of the screws used in the case are either 3 mm or 6-32.
Sometimes I've had problems with 3 mm slots getting stripped out but you really have to try hard to strip out a 6-32 slot. If your side panel uses the 3 mm screws--I know a lot of the Packard Bells did--then you should be able to force a 6-32 screw into it. I've often done that when a 3 mm anchoring screw for an add-on card won't hold.
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To avoid using sheet metal screws, threaded inserts may be installed and conventional screws used.
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The screw holes most likely have become worn but did you look closely at the screws to make sure the threads aren't worn or stripped?
If the screws are good, all you need to do is "shrink" the screw hole(s). To do that, hold a heavy metal bar directly on the backside of the hole & lightly tap on the other side with a hammer. This will stretch the metal & "shrink" the hole size.
"If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions" - Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) in Pulp Fiction
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Teflon Tape is not really a good idea. It tends to come apart easily in small fragments that will then get blown around inside the Case, ending up Who Knows Where.
Every time you remove the Screws the tape will disintegrate more & more, and Teflon is an Insulator, fortunately not a conductor, but still, NOT something you want embedded in yourFans/Heat sinks.
It is considered a Contaminant in the Micriprocessor Fab Industry. Liquid or Solid NOT GOOD.
There is nothing to learn from someone who already agrees with you.
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