Changing light switch covers - noob question

pdscott · Post by **pdscott** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 11:31 am

I'm currently changing my light switch covers in my house as the old ones are now a bit tatty.

I got a switch to test that it fits OK on my existing back boxes (hooray it did), but my question is regarding screwing the new switch in to the lugs on the back box.

On the box there's two lugs (one stationary and one that has some play in it - the moveable one). Whenever I try to screw the corresponding switch screw into this moveable lug, it gets stripped - I think the hole is too small.

Has anyone got any suggestions? I don't want to get more switches and ruin the screws that hold them in place until I know how to solve this.
Cheers for any advice you can give.

Fats · Post by **Fats** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 11:52 am

Hi and welcome pdscott.

It sounds like its the lug that is causing the problem,when you tried to put you first screw in it probably wasnt central, it happened to me and it stripped the thread on the lug, luckily i had a spare box and just changed the lug. but its not that difficult to change the box.Have you tried to see if the old screw you took out still go's in ok.

also you dont have to buy a new socket just for the screws you can just buy the screws http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/cat ... 9&ts=54632

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:55 pm

The screw holes may be cross threaded and need re-threading.

You can use a dedicated tool like this- http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro ... 8&id=94356

Or you can use a 3.5mm tap and handle to retap the screw holes.

pdscott · Post by **pdscott** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 2:17 pm

Thanks guys.
Thought it was something like that, but as I'm new to this sort of thing, I thought it best to check in case I was being thick.

In reply to Fats question, the original screw was loose and stripped as well from the original switch, as seems to be the case for a few others around the house (sounds like whoever fitted them originally didn't really pay attention!).

I'll probably get a re-threader - sounds like it would be useful in this case, as more and more switches that are on the walls at present seem to have loose screws (always the one matching up to that particular lug).
Thanks again for your help, much appreciated.

Fats wrote:Hi and welcome pdscott.

It sounds like its the lug that is causing the problem,when you tried to put you first screw in it probably wasnt central, it happened to me and it stripped the thread on the lug, luckily i had a spare box and just changed the lug. but its not that difficult to change the box.Have you tried to see if the old screw you took out still go's in ok.

also you dont have to buy a new socket just for the screws you can just buy the screws http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/cat ... 9&ts=54632