Shoddy Hardware (Was: Re: WW fixtures (was Re: "New" PDP-8))

From: Don Maslin <donm_at_cts.com>
Date: Tue Apr 2 19:10:22 2002

On Tue, 2 Apr 2002, Tony Duell wrote:

> >
> > I've been building PCs since XTs came out, and I cannot think of a single
> > time that I've reamed out a screw, with the exception of one of those very
> > fine pitch thread screws the CDROM manufacturers seem to like. If you're
> > re-threading the hole everytime, perhaps you should take it a little easier
> > on the poor PC case :-)
>
> I've found it often helps to turn the screw 'backwards'
> (counterclockwise) until you feel the threads click into place, then
> tighten it.
>
> In the case of self-tapping screws it generally pervents the screw from
> starting a new thread (which, if done enough times means there's no metal
> left). In the case of large-diameter fine pitch threads (like lens
> retaining rings in cameras, OK, off-topic, but I can't think of such a
> thread in a computer), it helps prevent cross-threading.
>
> I assumed this trick was well-known, but perhaps not.
>
> -tony
>
Sheesh! I should have read one more message!

                                                 - don
Received on Tue Apr 02 2002 - 19:10:22 BST