Screw for Junction Box

curtis

curtis

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Hi all,

I have a selection of IP66 junction boxes with these screws for securing the face. However, the screws are terrible and rust within a month. I want to replace them. Does anyone know the name of this type of screw / where to find them? I've tried B&Q, another local hardware store, Amazon and a specialist Electrical Wholesaler, but none stock them. I'm not exactly sure what to search on the internet.

My backup is simply going to be to use brass wood screws but given they're not a direct replacement I'll do some damage but at least I can access them easily.


IMG_1327.JPG
 
You have to be careful, because not all brass wood screws are all brass nowadays :oops:

I'm surprised, as I haven't had experience of these rusting, but, there's always a first time, and your air may be a bit saltier on that small island of yours.

However, You should be able to get a straight stainless steel screw - don't worry about the unthreaded part of the shank, that's just an easy way of keeping the screw in the lid when you remove it.

You also need a thread that is designed to bite into plastic - there' a name for it, but you need someone more expert than me. If you can get the name of the type of thread, then diameter and length are all you need to order some s/s screws.

EDIT - Google suggests a serrated thread :nerd:
 
curtis said:
Hi all,

I have a selection of IP66 junction boxes with these screws for securing the face. However, the screws are terrible and rust within a month. I want to replace them. Does anyone know the name of this type of screw / where to find them? I've tried B&Q, another local hardware store, Amazon and a specialist Electrical Wholesaler, but none stock them. I'm not exactly sure what to search on the internet.

My backup is simply going to be to use brass wood screws but given they're not a direct replacement I'll do some damage but at least I can access them easily.


View attachment 325063
Click to expand...
Is there a way you can put your photo into Googgles to do a search?

I'm sure IT savvy Mizzy showed me a way, but I can't remember how....
 
Rhinochugger said:
You have to be careful, because not all brass wood screws are all brass nowadays :oops:

I'm surprised, as I haven't had experience of these rusting, but, there's always a first time, and your air may be a bit saltier on that small island of yours.

However, You should be able to get a straight stainless steel screw - don't worry about the unthreaded part of the shank, that's just an easy way of keeping the screw in the lid when you remove it.

You also need a thread that is designed to bite into plastic - there' a name for it, but you need someone more expert than me. If you can get the name of the type of thread, then diameter and length are all you need to order some s/s screws.

EDIT - Google suggests a serrated thread :nerd:
Click to expand...
Excellent! Let me find a suitable alternative! Appreciate the input!

Gizzy Gizzy , you can do it through a "reverse image search". Head to Google Images and click the little picture of the outline on the search bar. I had tried this but was getting mostly generic scew images unfortunately. It's a good idea though!
 
My son is a director of an electrical engineering firm, they only deal with commercial stuff, I will email him the picture, if he can’t identify it and tell me where to get SS screws, I will be very surprised!
Cheers
Dave
 
B&Q St Helier - Jersey

IP66 Junction Box


I use these SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IP66 WEATHERPROOF OUTDOOR ENCLOSURE , unfortunately Screwfix will not deliver to the Channel Islands, which is slightly odd, as the parent company also owns B&Q.

Depends how urgent or pressing your requirements are, as the North East is probably not on your Tourist Itinerary, whilst I could indeed order the items for collection at another store within the UK, also could post them although the postal charge may well negate any saving against a direct purchase from B&Q.
 
TBH I'm rely surprised they have rusted badly, one would have thought the clue to what they are used for is in the IP bit of the box rating!
 
Over the years I have found the LGB point and point motor screws to rust in varying degrees outside, some not at all others quite badly.

A solution in part is to dunk them in grease before or whenever putting item in place seams to work very well. I have not thus far found any of our LGB etc. G stuff plastic that is affected adversely by the grease.
 
Paul M said:
TBH I'm rely surprised they have rusted badly, one would have thought the clue to what they are used for is in the IP bit of the box rating!
Click to expand...
As am I. I've left this on my Amazon Review. They were certainly cheaper than the commercial options but no so cheap I'm accepting of it. As Rhino said, perhaps it has something to do with our salty air.

I may try a bit of grease on the ones I've ordered. Let's see. It's part of the large list of spring maintenance jobs.

Curtis
 
curtis said:
As am I. I've left this on my Amazon Review. They were certainly cheaper than the commercial options but no so cheap I'm accepting of it. As Rhino said, perhaps it has something to do with our salty air.

I may try a bit of grease on the ones I've ordered. Let's see. It's part of the large list of spring maintenance jobs.

Curtis
Click to expand...
Yeah, you have to remember that stainless steel is a moveable feast - there are different grades and even the better grades, with the right amount of chlorine, can rust - don't ask, it'll take too long, but we had a metallurgist advising us on the project :mask::mask:
 
Another suggestion for boxes outside is to drill a 3 mm hole at the back of the base ( the underside) to allow condensation to drain, even MK boxes now provide a ‘knock out’ for this purpose, apparently.
Dave
 
You could also leave one of those Silica Gel bags inside your boxes....
 
Gizzy said:
You could also leave one of those Silica Gel bags inside your boxes....
Click to expand...
That requires you to check / dry them occasionally..
Ekse they eventually become sodden! And hold said moisture, rather than it draining / drying out.

PhilP
 
PhilP said:
That requires you to check / dry them occasionally..
Ekse they eventually become sodden! And hold said moisture, rather than it draining / drying out.

PhilP
Click to expand...
Indeed, I should have added that caveat....
 
curtis said:
Hi all,

I have a selection of IP66 junction boxes with these screws for securing the face. However, the screws are terrible and rust within a month. I want to replace them. Does anyone know the name of this type of screw / where to find them? I've tried B&Q, another local hardware store, Amazon and a specialist Electrical Wholesaler, but none stock them. I'm not exactly sure what to search on the internet.

My backup is simply going to be to use brass wood screws but given they're not a direct replacement I'll do some damage but at least I can access them easily.


View attachment 325063
Click to expand...
Romerils used to sell Spax stainless steel screws that were excellent but expensive.

The thread is going to be more for timber but should work.
 
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