justin1985 Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 It seems really difficult to find screws that are both long and thin enough to attach things like microswitches and PCBs to baseboards. Microswitches seem to have standard mounting holes of something like M2.5 size, but need a screw at least 10mm long to pass through them and into the baseboard - it seems incredibly difficult to find screws (as opposed to bolts) that will fit through these holes! I found some selection boxes of black self tapping pan head M2 and M2.6 screws on eBay, but you only get a handful as long as 10mm in the box, and they seem very poor quality (Philips head strips very easily). There doesn't seem much else out there which will screw into wood. What else do people use to attach things like microswitches? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium TheQ Posted December 6, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 6, 2019 2 minutes ago, justin1985 said: It seems really difficult to find screws that are both long and thin enough to attach things like microswitches and PCBs to baseboards. Microswitches seem to have standard mounting holes of something like M2.5 size, but need a screw at least 10mm long to pass through them and into the baseboard - it seems incredibly difficult to find screws (as opposed to bolts) that will fit through these holes! I found some selection boxes of black self tapping pan head M2 and M2.6 screws on eBay, but you only get a handful as long as 10mm in the box, and they seem very poor quality (Philips head strips very easily). There doesn't seem much else out there which will screw into wood. What else do people use to attach things like microswitches? How many do you need... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sourcingmap®-Cross-Countersunk-Tapping-Fastener/dp/B01D9JE4XM/ref=sr_1_31?keywords=m2+screws+15mm&qid=1575626597&sr=8-31 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
-missy- Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 Hi Justin. How about using some threaded rod with a washer and nut instead? It normally comes in 12" lengths. J. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
justin1985 Posted December 6, 2019 Author Share Posted December 6, 2019 1 minute ago, -missy- said: How about using some threaded rod with a washer and nut instead? It normally comes in 12" lengths. That certainly seems easier to find Julia, but I'm trying to attach microswitches directly to the bottom of baseboards to be triggered by the movement of already fitted Turnout Mechanisms, so I can't really fit nuts on the other side! I guess the real solution would have been to have build a more elegant turnout mechanism with switches fitted integrally - but you know, I tend to end up bodging things! 6 minutes ago, TheQ said: How many do you need... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sourcingmap®-Cross-Countersunk-Tapping-Fastener/dp/B01D9JE4XM/ref=sr_1_31?keywords=m2+screws+15mm&qid=1575626597&sr=8-31 Those look ideal - I hadn't thought to look on Amazon. The selection of far eastern bits and bobs usually seems very similar on eBay and Amazon, but it seems like Amazon has a lot more choice! Cheers J Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigelcliffe Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 9 minutes ago, justin1985 said: It seems really difficult to find screws that are both long and thin enough to attach things like microswitches and PCBs to baseboards. Microswitches seem to have standard mounting holes of something like M2.5 size, but need a screw at least 10mm long to pass through them and into the baseboard - it seems incredibly difficult to find screws (as opposed to bolts) that will fit through these holes! I found some selection boxes of black self tapping pan head M2 and M2.6 screws on eBay, but you only get a handful as long as 10mm in the box, and they seem very poor quality (Philips head strips very easily). There doesn't seem much else out there which will screw into wood. What else do people use to attach things like microswitches? I tend to mount microswitches onto plates to allow fine movement. So the plate will either take a nut behind it, or can be tapped to take the thread. However, if wanting self-tappers, suggest looking at specialist suppliers, eg: https://www.kayfast.co.uk/view-product/POZI-PAN-TAPPING-SCREW-DIN-7981C-Z-A2-ST-ST Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cane Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 I am mounting miniature microswitches to the base board through 3mm of cork with the following screws https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/372851078759?ViewItem=&item=372851078759 Shank is about 2mm diameter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim V Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 Try putting 'japanned wood screws' into your favourite search engine. I came up with something suitable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobjUK Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 How about these? 2.2mm diameter, any length up to one inch: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/No-2-4-6-7-8-10-Slotted-Pan-Head-Self-tapping-Screw-A2-Stainless-Steel-Slot-Wood/263878537599?var=563265560975&hash=item3d7062f17f:m:mqQJKXL0y1_KRtNb5BvwzdA Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted December 6, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 6, 2019 https://www.spax.com/en/products/universal/flat-countersunk-head/universal-screw-25-x-25-mm-1000-pieces-full-thread-flat-countersunk-head-cross-recess-z1-s-point-wirox-1081010250255/pid-1077/ I use these, but maybe 25mm may not be long enough in your application. Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 I use M2.2x 12mm self tapping screws from Eileens Emporium. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junctionmad Posted December 7, 2019 Share Posted December 7, 2019 Try not to use counter sunk heads directly onto the micro switch as the conical head puts the plastic under pressure pan head is best Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Bear Posted December 7, 2019 Share Posted December 7, 2019 You can get a very wide range of screws etc from Accu Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
idd15 Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 RC servo mounting screws work well. The socket head types from modelfixings.co.uk I have found to be particularly good. Cheers idd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted December 8, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 8, 2019 12 hours ago, Junctionmad said: Try not to use counter sunk heads directly onto the micro switch as the conical head puts the plastic under pressure pan head is best Exactly the opposite. CSK heads centralise the hole in the microswitch and impart a degree of positive location, if you're tightening the screw so tight that it distorts the microswitch housing you've gone way too far. Unless the thread is the same size as the hole, the PHP does not give this positivity. Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junctionmad Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 I have seen the effect of the conical forces at work. I would not advise the use of countersink screw heads. In the intended field of use , which I am familar with , they would ALWAYS use either pan head or socket head machine screws. The positioning keeping is achieved by a combination of the clamp load and the use of proper diameter screws . You would never see countersunks being used. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junctionmad Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 I have seen the effect of the conical forces at work. I would not advise the use of countersink screw heads. In the intended field of use , which I am familar with , they would ALWAYS use either pan head or socket head machine screws. The positioning keeping is achieved by a combination of the clamp load and the use of proper diameter screws . You would never see countersunks being used. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAF96 Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Track pins are OK for many such applications. Hornby pins are thicker than Peco and some others. I think I got my tiny screws from Peters Spares or New Modellers Shop. Its been a while since I bought them and I have plenty left. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScRSG Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Have a look at this supplier - http://www.modelfixings.co.uk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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