Re-fitting electrical sockets

YorkshireBoy

big_ste wrote:

You can always cut them down a bit with a pair of pliers though.

This will permanently damage the threads and prevent the screw from "starting".

The best (and only) way to shorten M3.5 back box screws is to screw them into a lug removed from an old back box, saw off excess with a junior hacksaw, and then withdraw the screw from the lug. This withdrawing "restores" the thread, allowing it to enter the lug more easily.

Tilemeister

Bloody hell where do you live if its within 10 miles of lutterworth i will come round and do it for you free
I am a tiler and do this every day its just a knack thing
try this (it sounds odd)
line the screw up as best you can then UNSCREW IT you will know when its lined up as you will feel it click, when it does da daah screw it in
also make sure that you have cut the tiles correctly and they are not pushing the screws off line
chhers steve

big_ste

If you cut them square it will be okay, I've done it a thousand times, a junior hacksaw is better though.

IM

Okay, okay....

You may notice a certain lack of...err...momentum, to my DIY-ing, but this weekend, at last, I sorted out my sockets.:o

It was the screw extenders which worked for me. I screwed them in to the back-box, until they had just about 'bitten', so that they were almost flush to the surface of the tiles. I then had to use the shortest screws I could get, to screw the faceplate home (anything longer gave a combined length which hit the pattress).

And as for the one with the lug that dropped off.... Well it had to be my old friend Mr Sealant didn't it.... A wee dab kept the lug in place long enough for me to fit the face plate.

Thanks to MSE for coming to the rescue.