Editors Note: Today we’re featuring a guest contribution by Jeff from.My wife and I had our first kid 3 months ago and since then we’ve been working room by room doing some minor baby proofing. In a couple of rooms there are outlets with stripped screws so that they are not secured to the junction box anymore. Instead of opening up the wall and replacing the box, it’s way easier and faster to drill and tap the holes up to the next larger size bolt. So in the interest of keeping our baby from using the outlet as a handle it was time to fix them.Step 1Gather your tools and turn off the power. From left to right: Screwdriver, Klein 6-1 tapping tool, #29 drill bit, various lengths of 8-32 machine bolts, cordless drill/driver. If tapping to a size other than 8-32 consult for proper drill bit sizing.Step 2Confirm that the power really is off. Use a lamp if you don’t have a voltage detector.

• Electrical Outlet Box Screws

Electrical Outlet Box Screws

What size machine screws secure a power outlet to the box? Just installed some new 120v outlets but the machine screws supplied with the power outlets are too long- does anyone know what size they are? It may not be a #6 screw at all. If it's a ground screw, I don't know as that would be specific to the 2-gang box. There is no standard. If you can't figure out the sizing, you could always buy a replacement 2-gang box or cover just to get the screws. An M3.5 nut wound onto a screw before cutting and then backed off afterwards restores the thread making it easier to get a start back into the box. Especially if you cut the screw down with a pair of old pliers(or somone elses - the plumbers even?) it will prevent you shagging up the thread in the k/o box.

Step 3Unscrew outlet fasteners (leave wiring connected) and pull outlet to the side. Drill out the stripped junction box.Step 4Use the tapping tool and slowly turn it into the junction box. Be sure the wires are pulled to the side since the tap protrudes into the box. Also make sure to back the tap up every so often to clear the cutters. In my plastic boxes I backed off a half turn for every full turn forward.Step 5Use the 8-32 bolts and reinstall your outlet taking care to fold the wires back into the box.Step 6Show your significant other your work so that they know how handy you are.About This ToolThe Klein Tools 626 Cushion-Grip Six in One Tapping Tool can be for around $24 with free shipping. While you may only need 6-32 and 8-32 sizes for electrical outlets and fixtures I use the rest of the taps for other things especially the 1/4-20 tap. Final fantasy brotherhood movie torrent. The handle is made in the USA, but taps are made in China.

Anybody know offhand if extra-length screws are available for attaching outlets/switches to electrical outlet boxes?I've tiled the kitchen and now, due to the added thickness of the tiles, the original screws are just a tad too short to engage the outlet boxes.Amongst all my vast array of junk, I cannot seem to find any other suitable screws.I'd just as soon not have to single point thread a whole bunch of itty bitty screws like that.nor is it likely that I have a die for that size thread.