Aluminum screws? What kind?

sts9fan · 8th January 2007, 03:32 PM

So what are your favorite screws for aluminum? How big a hole do you drill before screwing? Thanks for the info!

EdT · 8th January 2007, 04:19 PM

You mean you want to screw into AL, not use screw made out of AL whcih would be very weak threads.

You would have to thread the hole using a tap and drill chart. Normally in North America it is 4-40UNF that is used for computers and electronic equipment. I would use stainless steel if you can find them or black oxide if your enclosure is black.

chipco3434 · 8th January 2007, 05:14 PM

It may be just me, but unless stainless fasteners have a pedigree, I won't use them. Too frequently they are dead soft and strip easily.

Drill size for 4-40 threads is #43. Use a little kerosene or lamp oil on the tap. Learn how to tap with a 2 flute tap (HINT:start straight) as many of the 4-flute taps are trash.

jackinnj · 8th January 2007, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chipco3434
It may be just me, but unless stainless fasteners have a pedigree, I won't use them. Too frequently they are dead soft and strip easily.

Drill size for 4-40 threads is #43. Use a little kerosene or lamp oil on the tap. Learn how to tap with a 2 flute tap (HINT:start straight) as many of the 4-flute taps are trash.

The stainless screws for the sailboat cost a small fortune anyway.

McMaster has a very comprehensive selection -- while they aren't the cheapest you get the stuff the next day -- I use pan head with external washer, fillister head and flat.

If you are going to put a lot of stuff together over a number of years, but a couple hundred of several varieties and consider it sunk cost.

Peter Daniel · 8th January 2007, 05:33 PM

You can get screws and taps from your local Home Depot store.

Stainless screws are fine, they also look better than regular variety.

chipco3434 · 8th January 2007, 05:36 PM

The stainless screws for the sailboat cost a small fortune anyway.

You sail???

sts9fan · 8th January 2007, 05:39 PM

Do you use self-tapping screws or is it better to tap the hole first and just use metal screws?? Sorry for the stupid questions...

BrianDonegan · 8th January 2007, 05:48 PM

Drill and tap, use machine screws.

Besides McMasterCarr (already mentioned) you can try MSC Industrial. Great selection of materials of all kinds, and the most impressive catalog anywhere (The Big Book).

EdT · 8th January 2007, 05:52 PM

Use Spaenaur as the guide, you will find all kinds of goodies in there for DIYers: http://www.spaenaur.com/

Heres a Tap Drill Size Chart for Ref.: http://www.thedirtforum.com/drilltapsizes.htm

AR2 · 8th January 2007, 05:58 PM

I like stainless are good, as well as black ones. I like allan head machine screws. I almost never go below 6/32 unless I have to. 6/32s are good for all Mosfets, as well as majority of circuit boards . For cases I like 8/32. I try to avoid 4/40 - smaller it gets more chances to have broken tap. Aluminum is much harder for taping than steel, so good way to do it is right on drill press where tap is supported and pressed from above by spindle and tapping adapter - guide. This guide presses hand taping tool in order to keep it straight while you rotate it.

8th January 2007, 03:32 PM	#1
sts9fan diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MA	Aluminum screws? What kind? So what are your favorite screws for aluminum? How big a hole do you drill before screwing? Thanks for the info!

8th January 2007, 05:33 PM	#5
Peter Daniel diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada	You can get screws and taps from your local Home Depot store. Stainless screws are fine, they also look better than regular variety. __________________ www.audiosector.com “Do something really well. See how much time it takes. It might be a product, a work of art, who knows? Then give it away cheaply, just because you feel that it should not cost so much, even if it took a lot of time and expensive materials to make it.” - JC

8th January 2007, 05:48 PM	#8
BrianDonegan diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Rock Ridge	Drill and tap, use machine screws. Besides McMasterCarr (already mentioned) you can try MSC Industrial. Great selection of materials of all kinds, and the most impressive catalog anywhere (The Big Book). __________________ Twisted Pear Audio

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8th January 2007, 04:19 PM	#2
EdT diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2006	You mean you want to screw into AL, not use screw made out of AL whcih would be very weak threads. You would have to thread the hole using a tap and drill chart. Normally in North America it is 4-40UNF that is used for computers and electronic equipment. I would use stainless steel if you can find them or black oxide if your enclosure is black.

8th January 2007, 05:14 PM	#3
chipco3434 diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Racine, Wisconsin	It may be just me, but unless stainless fasteners have a pedigree, I won't use them. Too frequently they are dead soft and strip easily. Drill size for 4-40 threads is #43. Use a little kerosene or lamp oil on the tap. Learn how to tap with a 2 flute tap (HINT:start straight) as many of the 4-flute taps are trash.

8th January 2007, 05:36 PM	#6
chipco3434 diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Racine, Wisconsin	The stainless screws for the sailboat cost a small fortune anyway. You sail???

8th January 2007, 05:39 PM	#7
sts9fan diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MA	Do you use self-tapping screws or is it better to tap the hole first and just use metal screws?? Sorry for the stupid questions...

8th January 2007, 05:52 PM	#9
EdT diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2006	Use Spaenaur as the guide, you will find all kinds of goodies in there for DIYers: http://www.spaenaur.com/ Heres a Tap Drill Size Chart for Ref.: http://www.thedirtforum.com/drilltapsizes.htm

8th January 2007, 05:58 PM	#10
AR2 Master Burner Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: San Francisco, California	I like stainless are good, as well as black ones. I like allan head machine screws. I almost never go below 6/32 unless I have to. 6/32s are good for all Mosfets, as well as majority of circuit boards . For cases I like 8/32. I try to avoid 4/40 - smaller it gets more chances to have broken tap. Aluminum is much harder for taping than steel, so good way to do it is right on drill press where tap is supported and pressed from above by spindle and tapping adapter - guide. This guide presses hand taping tool in order to keep it straight while you rotate it.

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