Can I use sheet metal screws to put a panel cover on?

[George Stolz]

My sense of scale must be way off, because that screw looked bigger than the bolts holding on the bumper of a '76 Chevy pickup. On the panel they look natural enough, for what they are.

Made your T5 look small.

 

[mivey]

So once these screws strip out, and they already are I guess we have to replace the panel tub because we have to use factory screws?

Might as well. That un-supported, hemp-flex now comes in a metallic version.

 

[iwire]

My sense of scale must be way off, because that screw looked bigger than the bolts holding on the bumper of a '76 Chevy pickup. On the panel they look natural enough, for what they are.

Made your T5 look small.

They where actually pretty big, I think they are 1/4" fine thread.

 

[iwire]

For a sense of scale check out the size of my van in this shot.

 

[George Stolz]

Are those the screws holding up that sign?

 

[iwire]

Are those the screws holding up that sign?

It is a monster, there is 250 tons of concrete keeping that thing upright.

Our guys had to hole saw a hole into the bottom tube for an 1.25" chase nipple, the metal was close to 1.25 thick.

 

[mkgrady]

For a sense of scale check out the size of my van in this shot.

Smallest van I have ever seen!

 

[mivey]

Smallest van I have ever seen!

Smallest van I have never seen. When you move up to the "A" crew, they let you have a flash to go with the camera.:grin:

 

[LJSMITH1]

:grin:
So once these screws strip out, and they already are I guess we have to replace the panel tub because we have to use factory screws?

YEP! You Bet! Throw that bad-boy out and install a new one, and remember to torque them properly next time!

 

[K2500]

Tired of stripped out screw holes? Well, do I have a deal for you!

I think that I"ll start leaving a few in the bottom of panels. Then maybe I won't need 5 different screw drivers to open the equiptment, should I ever return.

 

[kbsparky]

Are you talking about the long clamps used for covers on an oddball panel Sq D made years ago? With sharp pointed clamps that go nearly all the way to the sides of the panel can? One of the few truly stupid things Sq D ever did was make that panel. I can't remember the model or common name for it. I only saw one of them. Also had a weird breaker with some kind of flexible strips to terminate. Someone designed all that on a Monday following a 2 week drunk or drug binge.

That was the old style NEHB panel, commonly used on 480/277 Volt systems.

On another note, those Square D panel cover screws have unique threads that make the screws tighten twice as fast. While they may appear to be machine screws, they are not standard machine screws. Square D recently has included a couple of extras in each panel cover in case you drop/lose one. I now have plenty of extras on hand in the truck, and will use them when encountering a box that is missing one of more cover screws.

But there have been times where a panel cover screw was missing, and the inspector is coming for the final. I have used machine screws, green screws, tek screws, and yes, even sheet metal screws to secure a panel cover. I've even used those Square D cover screws on a different brand of panel in a pinch [GASP!].

Inspector didn't seem to mind so long as the cover was securely fastened!

 

[George Stolz]

I have used machine screws, green screws, tek screws, and yes, even sheet metal screws to secure a panel cover.

I remember an occasion where an old abused panel had drywall screws holding the cover on. In a holier-than-thou moment I tried to swap out the drywall screws for anything I had that was a machine screw on hand. After trying several different types of screws, I eventually had to concede that the drywall screws that were originally holding it on were the best fit.

And until this morning, I had always figured that story was too boring to repeat.

 

[mivey]

I remember an occasion where an old abused panel had drywall screws holding the cover on. In a holier-than-thou moment I tried to swap out the drywall screws for anything I had that was a machine screw on hand. After trying several different types of screws, I eventually had to concede that the drywall screws that were originally holding it on were the best fit.

And until this morning, I had always figured that story was too boring to repeat.

After this thread you might just feel some vindication. Nice to finally be able to wash away the dirty feeling after all these years. :grin:

 

[K8MHZ]

I don't remember who posted the thread about using epoxy to glue nuts to the inside of a panel but I pity the poor sucker that has to get the panel off once the epoxy deteriorates and becomes un-stuck.

Perhaps my standards are a bit higher, but to me, gluing metal nuts on anything, let alone in an inaccessible area, is the true sign of a hack.

 

[jmellc]

I don't remember who posted the thread about using epoxy to glue nuts to the inside of a panel but I pity the poor sucker that has to get the panel off once the epoxy deteriorates and becomes un-stuck.

Perhaps my standards are a bit higher, but to me, gluing metal nuts on anything, let alone in an inaccessible area, is the true sign of a hack.

That was me. With those panel cans, the mounting holes were a size or 2 larger than 1/4 x 20, and the metal too thin to tap to 3/8 or 1/2. I wasn't about to put spring clips back in (even if I could have found some) as they were terrible for breaking. I cleaned the metal with alcohol for a good clean surface and used epoxy putty, not glue, to hold a 1/4 x 20 nut in place. Last time I was in that plant, repair was still good, after 6 years. If the nut had slipped, I'd cut it with a hacksaw blade, as I've had to do when clips break. I didn't have stuff around to weld a nut in place. I guess I could have drilled new holes in cover and can and tap to 10-32, but the epoxy was quicker and didn't leave unused holes.

 

[jmellc]

I don't remember who posted the thread about using epoxy to glue nuts to the inside of a panel but I pity the poor sucker that has to get the panel off once the epoxy deteriorates and becomes un-stuck.

Perhaps my standards are a bit higher, but to me, gluing metal nuts on anything, let alone in an inaccessible area, is the true sign of a hack.

Also, I'm open for any better ideas you have?? I am fully aware that most anything can be done to some higher level if one has all the special tools and materials needed. That is not always the case and we sometimes have to use what we have on hand. And when working against deadlines, we don't always have the time to run out for materials or reinvent the wheel.

 

[LarryFine]

And until this morning, I had always figured that story was too boring to repeat.

And you think that's changed any why?

 

[ActionDave]

"Is this that new thing called 'sarcasm?'" ~ Jack Black in Shallow Hal
__________

 

[Melectrical]

Workmanship is always important

Workmanship is always important

Use 8/32 or 10/32 screws. You may need to r- tap if theres thread damage....
Do it right, make it look professional. Sheet metal screws will loosen more quickly over time than a machine screw and are not allowed..

 

[iwire]

Do it right, make it look professional. Sheet metal screws will loosen more quickly over time than a machine screw and are not allowed..

Not allowed by who, you will have to provide a code reference.