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

From: Douglas H. Quebbeman <dquebbeman_at_acm.org>
Date: Tue Apr 2 19:50:40 2002

> > 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

I never am as clear in some of my posts as I'd like...

The kind of screws I'm lamenting are cast, and cast poorly...

I assume everyone knows what casting flash is... these screws
have casting flash... when you thread them through, the sheet
metal eats at the flash, and you get metal bits from that, and
at the same time, the part of the flash that doesn't come off
quickly reams the sheet metal to death.

*Buy* quality screws? There is an advertisement showing here
in the U.S. Midwest for an office supply firm. The scene is
set in a "typical" office... some shirts are having a meeting,
when another shirt comes in and asks if "can we use the pen"?

THE pen. The only pen in the office.

When I need a screw for a PC, I typically have to find a PC
from which to remove a screw. Everything ends up with half
the screws it was designed to use.

Now, we just bought 25 Dells that don't use very many screws.

Where oh where will I get a screw when I need one?

-dq
Received on Tue Apr 02 2002 - 19:50:40 BST