3.5mm nuts

[pbar]

I can't see how anything would be better than bolting those extenders onto the old lug.

Except for the tiny elf idea.

 

[JohnD]

I've recently had a "loose" lug break off a galvanised box.

I can't see how to wedge a new one in

I am thinking I will have to hack the box out.

Am I missing any clever ideas? I have got a rethreader and more boxes of the same type. The box is one of those square ones with 4 lugs. It is a "spare" one in the kitchen to take a DP switch with a socket below but is not currently in use. For the moment I can put a blank over it but when I eventually need it I will be really peeved at having to hack the wall out.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The box is one of those square ones with 4 lugs.

In the bathroom I've got an FCU turned through 90° because I lost one of the lugs from a box which had 4 of them, and I didn't want to hack it out of a tiled wall....

I doubt you'll want your switch at 90° though...

Other ideas that might work, or would be worth finding out if anybody has successfully done them:

1) Drill and plug (yellow) a small hole at the back of the box, and screw one of those extension studs into it.

2) Ditto hole but use a long M3.5 screw to reach it. You might want to sleeve the screw to stop it chafing the cables.

 

[ColJack]

try maplins, they should sell them..

or alternatively, cut the thread part off one of the other stud extenders and use that.. I'll assume you have more than one of those..

 

[JohnD]

I don't think I've got any extension studs in 3.5mm

but I like idea no. 2, plasplug into the wall through the back of the box

I have some 50mm 3.5mm faceplate screws and will try then in a plasplug

I use earth link wires box to face so no concerns there

 

[RF Lighting]

I don't think I've got any extension studs in 3.5mm

I can chuck a couple in an envelope if you like

 

[fireman22]

senate electrical sell a re threading tool 4mm which is slightly bigger than the original hole and they sell the 4mm plate screws for this purpose. so if a box thread strips you rethread it bigger and use a bigger screw, job done.

 

[pbar]

senate electrical sell a re threading tool 4mm which is slightly bigger than the original hole and they sell the 4mm plate screws for this purpose. so if a box thread strips you rethread it bigger and use a bigger screw, job done.

In John's case though, the lug has completely gone, it's not there.
Drilling a hole and plugging through the backbox crossed my mind also.
As well as supergluing a small block of wood to the back/side of the box, behind where the missing lug is, and screwing into that.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

In John's case though, the lug has completely gone, it's not there.

i have a back box with a lug that has no thread!

 

[pbar]

In John's case though, the lug has completely gone, it's not there.

i have a back box with a lug that has no thread!

I was talking about JohnD. He has no lug.
As opposed to others, which sound like they have a lug but no thread.

Phew.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Be it known that from this day forth he shall be known as John de Nolug.