Yeah, that might work in a pinch. I mean I wouldn't rely on that technique for anything that's going to support weight. And I certainly don't trust the integrity of that plastic casing anymore. But if there's no undue stresses or weights being put on that location, I guess it works.
I think it kinda is. I've never seen plastic appliance shells being made, but I assume they make the part containing the thread without the thread to be able to get it out of the mould and then just put a thread in it with one of those drills that also cut a thread (idk wtf english calls those, lmkiyk) and then just put that kind of screw in. Barely ever see anything else in the stuff I work on (1x10 screws and above). Bolt would require more work to make the thread as well as insert and remove.
That depends on the plastic. Some plastics won't work with super glue. Once dry it'll just peel right off. It's hard to tell what plastic it is in the video but looks like it may work.
Forking shirtballs! I wish I'd known this years ago back when my kids were younger and every single toy would do this when trying to change the batteries.
Ahhhh.... is that something rude that I don't understand (these knots that seem to be all the rage perhaps), or you just fancied a close up of the copper wrap?
Although you *can* use any Phillips head screwdriver with any Phillips head screw, if it's tight, you'll get better results if you use a driver that fits the screw really well. A full set of interchangeable screwdriver bits is pretty cheap, and will save you stripping heads
I'm extraordinarily lucky, in that my father was an extremely handy guy, and I've since inherited his vast tool collection. It's good to have frequent reminders that possessing the vast majority of these tools is not the norm, and that the average person maybe has a hammer and a couple of screwdrivers. It really makes me wish we could be more anarchist, because honestly no one *needs* all of these tools all the time.
I have all the tools. They're used all the time. Then again, I fix things for fun and profit. Not a week goes by where a minimum of 2-3 people drop by with something that needs fixing, a bottle of wine or some other thank you, and some cash. It's just what I do. ALL THE TOOLS!
New life hack unlocked: Find or make a friend who has a proper workshop. (at least that's what I did — anything broken? just mention it to him and he'd start planning a weekend project around it)
To be fair if you're opening up the plastic casing on the motor of a power tool you may well have these items just lying about, I do and I'm not even a professional of anything that uses either of those things.
In my one bedroom apartment? It was a considered decision to reserve one drawer for screws and bits and power tools. Esoterica like copper wire of various gauges, just in case I need to match a specific thread size, doesn't make the cut.
I'll just break off a matchstick in the hole with a dab of glue.
Duh. Any handyman worth anything will have ways to actually fix things rather than just slapping duct rape on everything. Duct tape is for the amateurs.
Exactly, but nor would I expect a handyman to use duct tape like that. There are situations where it's useful for neither amateurs nor professional repair persons. I once worked in a factory where masking tape was used extensively in order to keep a shift going.
Don't worry like 98% of them are less effective than this one so you're not losing anything by not remembering them, some of the ones I've been fed on YouTube shorts lately are just insane
Just save it to your favorites folder so you can pretend that you will remember that it is there and that you will ever review the things in your favorites folder (you won't).
That lack of context is a big problem with lifehacks like this, it doesn't have much for our brains to attach the knowledge to. If you're in the middle of doing a task, on your own (which will have its own context personal to you), with your own tools/materials, and then you can have "Oh shit i've stripped this plastic thread" and get this at the moment it fits, then there's a better chance. OTOH, with the ability to get that response would you need to learn it?
For some applications standard helicoils work in reinforced plastics like PA-GF30 got a couple holding the rear cover on the back of my angle grinder, replaced the self tappers with machine screws, they haven't worked loose after about 5 hours use.
Helicoils actually work surprisingly well in plastic. I've used them on 3D prints at work when I didn't have heated inserts and have never had one come loose despite pretty rough usage.
Poor man’s *heat stake insert, which is a helicoil that you can melt into a plastic hole just like he’s doing, but doesn’t require a blowtorch (the kit usually comes with a glue gun-looking iron to push them in with).
Yeah, and a tip for placing the brass inserts is to heat them using a soldering iron, as shown at ~8:35 in this video from This Does Not Compute: https://youtu.be/ltCdM2x9cYk?t=515
The tip is a great help in ensuring they're mounted at the right angle and depth - but it can be done with just a soldering iron, it's just not as easy.
Definitely don't go in straight easily without the tip. Also, a high-end soldering iron with a temperature setting is great to heat the plastic to where it is soft, but not liquifying the entire area around the insert.
I've often put the bolt in the insert, then heated both with the iron, that made it much easier to ensure it is aligned properly - takes longer to cool down though, since more mass is heated up this way. Worth it though, if you don't have the special tip available.
Heating. You can get a soldering iron tip adapter for spectific sizes... or just use a soldering iron directly and reheat it later with a screw in to straighten it out.
I'm a bigger fan of replacing the enclosure. Might be a PITA to do on something old they don't make anymore where you need to retrofit a new enclosure on. But odds are that enclosure isn't done giving you problems if it's in that condition anyway.
Sounds nice if you can even get a replacement enclosure - but often you can't, and even if you can you have to wait days or weeks for it to arrive. This will solve the problem *now*.
Retrofitting something not made anymore was implying a new but different enclosure. I've also never had to wait more than 3 days to get a plastic enclosure from any one of a dozen companies that specialize in stocking thousands of different sizes and styles of enclosures. It dosen't actually solve the problem, which is the enclosure is worn out. It kicks the can down the road. Here is an example of one such supplier. https://www.okwenclosures.com/en
I really like Ez-Loks. Single steel insert. They are easy to put in, don't involve weird taps with the wrong size written on them, and don't separate and trap your screw when they fail. If you need a new one, pop it out and toss in a new one with plenty of thread lock.
Yeah, they are expensive sometimes, but after having to fix a plate full of helicoils by drilling then out because they got pulled and partially uncoiled, I'll take a little cost not to ruin my drills again. I've used Ez-Loks for years. You can chase the threads for cleaning and light repair, or even bore them out to make a reinforced thru-hole. The best part is you can put them in a thin plate, and file off anything that sticks out. Not in plastic, though, that's an aluminum benefit, lol.
I have a lot of parts at work that get swapped out frequently for configuration changes, and steel screws eventually start wearing through the bottoms of their counterbores over time. I've had to drill things out and add in a steel reinforcement quite a few times. And it's removable if it gets damaged! Now I just need something to stop coworkers from using their shoulders to torque down small screws in Aluminum.
Iblamemyparentstoo
kitterskills
Or just use a bigger screw
5ing
That’s so hot
do7rkb5n
Or just don't use a power drill or driver to install screws in plastic threads.
MapleSyrupMafia
I'll use my M18 1/2" impact on those if I want to.... You can't stop me, you're on the internet way over there!!!
do7rkb5n
MMMMMMMMM18 nice that's good stuff
Midioto
Step 1: own a screwdriver.
rendmigiroeven
mcglirkymeow
Step one: own a vice.
stonecoldstevebuschemi
Yeah, that might work in a pinch. I mean I wouldn't rely on that technique for anything that's going to support weight. And I certainly don't trust the integrity of that plastic casing anymore. But if there's no undue stresses or weights being put on that location, I guess it works.
CitizenPrime
A helpful "hack" ?!
geraltofriva
MacGyver approves.
Juni0220
Why are you using a screw and not a bolt
Juni0220
A self tapping screw* thats not its job
lappelduvideonfullblast
I think it kinda is. I've never seen plastic appliance shells being made, but I assume they make the part containing the thread without the thread to be able to get it out of the mould and then just put a thread in it with one of those drills that also cut a thread (idk wtf english calls those, lmkiyk) and then just put that kind of screw in. Barely ever see anything else in the stuff I work on (1x10 screws and above). Bolt would require more work to make the thread as well as insert and remove.
Slidje
Polydoh is a pellet type of thermoplastic you can melt with a kettle temperature water. Really good for small repairs on plastics.
phuzz00
Sugu is good for that sort of thing as well, but it's quite pricy. Works straight out of the packet though, so you don't need to heat it.
Slidje
You can make sugru with non-acetic acid silicone caulk and corn starch.
phuzz00
Huh, TIL. Thanks internet stranger :)
Slidje
https://www.instructables.com/How-To-Make-Your-Own-Sugru-Substitute/
bolobass
A drop of acrylate or 'super' glue, count to 20, hand-tighten screw.
RARusk
That depends on the plastic. Some plastics won't work with super glue. Once dry it'll just peel right off. It's hard to tell what plastic it is in the video but looks like it may work.
LordHosk
I normally put hot glue into the stripped hole, there is rarely enough plastic to melt in a coper wire.
themigbro
Or use more plastic to melt in the hole and re thread after
turbovespa
wow they reinvented the helicoil. i'm not impressed
Casablumpkin79
Or, use a bigger screw.
ManOfKent1967
That. I'm glad I've checked comments before saying the same thing.
ByThePowerOfSCIENCE
Hopefully you have one the right length and much wider. You also have to enlarge the other hole a bit and sometimes there's not enough room.
phuzz00
I solved this problem in a different way: I used sugu to attach wall-plugs in place of the broken thread. Worked great.
OnlyByMoonlight
Forking shirtballs! I wish I'd known this years ago back when my kids were younger and every single toy would do this when trying to change the batteries.
Maraxus
Very useful tip. Now I just need those pincers, copper wire and a flame thrower.
AngryBisexualWithAKeyboard
Why is my takeaway tip "Don't tighten a screw into plastic threads with a power driver"?
RummageSaleBubbler
Or put a matchstick in the hole.
scr1bbl3
That’s what she said
grumpabeme
Actually that’s what she felt….
scr1bbl3
Heh, nice
MagnumRadhard
I hate helicoils, but this should work in a pinch.
bottledham
TheBardOfAvon
I see it
Steed
Ahhhh.... is that something rude that I don't understand (these knots that seem to be all the rage perhaps), or you just fancied a close up of the copper wrap?
butcherfan0301
It didn't wrap around the one thread correctly
VKost
Russian marked content on the front page of Imgur.com. nice
ByThePowerOfSCIENCE
So? Is every Russian an enemy? Should we shoot them on sight, or round them up?
Imalwaysready
Nnoitra77
OK, is it just me or are modern screws made out of chinesium cause I try to unscrew something and the screw head if fucked after 4 turns???
faithydiesalot
Some screws are made cheap because they're not expected to take much torque. This video is a good example where metal strength doesn't matter.
But also, Philip heads are lousy at transmitting torque. Almost anything else is better (Robertson, hex recessed aka Allen are cheap and good enough).
phuzz00
Although you *can* use any Phillips head screwdriver with any Phillips head screw, if it's tight, you'll get better results if you use a driver that fits the screw really well. A full set of interchangeable screwdriver bits is pretty cheap, and will save you stripping heads
KenKorte
Easy life hack, just go get your spool of copper wire and blowtorch from the cupboard....
drhobotron
I'm extraordinarily lucky, in that my father was an extremely handy guy, and I've since inherited his vast tool collection. It's good to have frequent reminders that possessing the vast majority of these tools is not the norm, and that the average person maybe has a hammer and a couple of screwdrivers. It really makes me wish we could be more anarchist, because honestly no one *needs* all of these tools all the time.
DocMozi
I have all the tools. They're used all the time.
Then again, I fix things for fun and profit.
Not a week goes by where a minimum of 2-3 people drop by with something that needs fixing, a bottle of wine or some other thank you, and some cash.
It's just what I do.
ALL THE TOOLS!
cazzegiare
New life hack unlocked: Find or make a friend who has a proper workshop. (at least that's what I did — anything broken? just mention it to him and he'd start planning a weekend project around it)
BishlamekGurpgork
You don't need that much heat. Your stove will get plastic to melting. Having write that matches the thread with closely is a bit of a question.
SteelKnight
To be fair if you're opening up the plastic casing on the motor of a power tool you may well have these items just lying about, I do and I'm not even a professional of anything that uses either of those things.
ADDGirl
Heathen! I keep my copper wire in a different cupboard from my creme brulee torch.
billyrayvirus
paperclip and stove
ByThePowerOfSCIENCE
Who doesn't have bits of copper or mild steel wire in a toolbox or drawer? Also a gas lighter is good enough if you don't want to walk to the kitchen.
BishlamekGurpgork
In my one bedroom apartment? It was a considered decision to reserve one drawer for screws and bits and power tools. Esoterica like copper wire of various gauges, just in case I need to match a specific thread size, doesn't make the cut.
I'll just break off a matchstick in the hole with a dab of glue.
ImNotActuallyEvilAfterAll
If you don't have basic necessities you are probably not going to strip any screws either.
Santorrr
Instructions unclear, car/house/equipment now on fire.
Zetor
Me, an intellectual and master craftsman:
aaaaaandimdone
If you can't fix it with gaff, you haven't used enough
ToonamiT0M
IAmDuckHammer
For Julius in Everybody Hates Chris, can patch a tire, can make a noise become quiet as a mouse, and fixing a table.
0RumRunner
Remember, if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.
Horus175
Quando omni flunkus, moritati.
phuzz00
If it moves, and it shouldn't, use duct tape. If it doesn't move, and it should, use WD-40.
Quizz25S
My first girlfriend's car was held together with duct tape. Literally several parts were duct taped on including the bumper.
ThisOneKid
Sounds like an Altima driver
ChetinBey
I’ve spent 13 years as a handyman and stopped using duct tape years ago. There’s always a better way.
throwaway12345432
Duct tape isn't used because it's the best, it's used because it's versatile.
Zeeall
Metal strapping and self tapping sheet screws?
mrpink83
As a farmer, when you're 10 miles away from the shop in the middle of a field, with nobody else around, duct tape comes in handy.
SmoeAhsolse
I'm just imagining you out in your north 40, duct taping a leg back onto a cow complaining about how they don't make them like they used to.
16bitStarbuck
Duh. Any handyman worth anything will have ways to actually fix things rather than just slapping duct rape on everything. Duct tape is for the amateurs.
Rkfinecake
Exactly, but nor would I expect a handyman to use duct tape like that. There are situations where it's useful for neither amateurs nor professional repair persons. I once worked in a factory where masking tape was used extensively in order to keep a shift going.
kickmyballsrealhard
If I remembered every great life hack I've seen, I'd have a great memory. Unfortunately, I don't. I will proceed to forget this one as well
SteelKnight
Don't worry like 98% of them are less effective than this one so you're not losing anything by not remembering them, some of the ones I've been fed on YouTube shorts lately are just insane
irrational1618
Just save it to your favorites folder so you can pretend that you will remember that it is there and that you will ever review the things in your favorites folder (you won't).
cttypo
100% agree with this statement. Sooo, what I’ve been doing is save the video for the future. Problem is forgetting that I downloaded them. 🤦♂️
aducksayswhat
That lack of context is a big problem with lifehacks like this, it doesn't have much for our brains to attach the knowledge to. If you're in the middle of doing a task, on your own (which will have its own context personal to you), with your own tools/materials, and then you can have "Oh shit i've stripped this plastic thread" and get this at the moment it fits, then there's a better chance. OTOH, with the ability to get that response would you need to learn it?
Emuc64
Fav and forget
ByThePowerOfSCIENCE
Try it out now: drill or melt a hole in some piece of junk plastic. Doing fixates memory.
Tenugui
True, but the problem is that the number of times you need this is close to zero for most people. Not worth practicing or remembering.
themobileappisbroken
I used to know a memory hack but I've forgotten it now.
Alienduck2
Forget what?
kickmyballsrealhard
That's the spirit!
Snooj
Most of them are dumb so don't waste your brain space on them.
kickmyballsrealhard
What brain space? Lmao
Astral134
Life hack to remember life hacks: write them on your arms with sharpies!
mrpink83
Or better yet, get them tattooed! ;)
LadyHaywire
Only one I can think of offhand is you can take out a stripped screw using a rubber band under the screwdriver head.
Snooj
*ahem* /gallery/FLDSE
LadyHaywire
Huh, it's worked for me before but in drywall so perhaps was easier to remove.
3Davideo
If I remembered every great life hack I've seen, I'd have two nickels.... where the hell did these nickels come from???
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
Poor man's helicoil. If the plastic is already stripped, it's not a bad idea. I prefer brass inserts made for the task though.
bitemark
Sounds cheaper than getting a blowtorch
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
Perhaps, but a simple lighter can achieve the same result as well, just needs to heat the wire a few seconds longer to get hot enough.
Zan11
Tools can be used many times
onlymypoorwhisker
For some applications standard helicoils work in reinforced plastics like PA-GF30 got a couple holding the rear cover on the back of my angle grinder, replaced the self tappers with machine screws, they haven't worked loose after about 5 hours use.
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
Good to know; I never tried helicoils in plastics because I usually have brass inserts in stock.
truemetalman
Helicoils actually work surprisingly well in plastic. I've used them on 3D prints at work when I didn't have heated inserts and have never had one come loose despite pretty rough usage.
olskoolsouljah3000
Poor man’s *heat stake insert, which is a helicoil that you can melt into a plastic hole just like he’s doing, but doesn’t require a blowtorch (the kit usually comes with a glue gun-looking iron to push them in with).
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
I wouldn't call those inserts helicoils, since they work quite differently. They do solve the same issue though.
BurnieCinders
On the poorer mans options, jam a stick or a bunch of toothpicks in there to pack the hole.
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
Could also melt a zip-tie into the hole and drill a new hole for the screw to tap into. Lots of solutions, some better and/or easier than others :-)
pxlphile
Funny thing, just the other day a brass insert was screwed out of the plastic of a mic stand just because I used the screw 😭😭😭
amp99
Yeah, and a tip for placing the brass inserts is to heat them using a soldering iron, as shown at ~8:35 in this video from This Does Not Compute: https://youtu.be/ltCdM2x9cYk?t=515
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
The tip is a great help in ensuring they're mounted at the right angle and depth - but it can be done with just a soldering iron, it's just not as easy.
TryHardEggplant
Definitely don't go in straight easily without the tip. Also, a high-end soldering iron with a temperature setting is great to heat the plastic to where it is soft, but not liquifying the entire area around the insert.
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
I've often put the bolt in the insert, then heated both with the iron, that made it much easier to ensure it is aligned properly - takes longer to cool down though, since more mass is heated up this way. Worth it though, if you don't have the special tip available.
alexandremingatos5
Dad? Is that you?
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
Not that I know of lol
Druummy15
Can you share a screenshot of such inserts?
amp99
See about 8:35 here: https://youtu.be/ltCdM2x9cYk?t=515
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
Druummy15
Thank you. Are they simply screwed in or are they also inserted through heating?
Manae
There are screwed in versions, like Speedserts. Especially useful for a thermoset plastic.
TryHardEggplant
Heating. You can get a soldering iron tip adapter for spectific sizes... or just use a soldering iron directly and reheat it later with a screw in to straighten it out.
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
Yup, the soldering iron tips are great, much easier to align the inserts in the molten plastic!
draginator
Quite literally called heat set inserts
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
It's fair to ask, considering I called them "brass inserts", not "heat set inserts".
draginator
Yeah I was just letting them know what to Google
TK421isAFK
Brass inserts have machine threads, and since that requires changing the screw, you might as well just drill the hole out and use a hex nut.
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
That is another option for sure. In the end it all depends on what you have available and what you like to use.
schwaulen
Absolutely, but for in the field repairs this is a neat way to fix it with materials on site.
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
Indeed, it is a neat little trick :-)
Cornflakes91
i havent yet seen inserts that'd enjoy a self tapping screw i n them? only for machine screws
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
Right, I would use machine screws for this, in case the plastic strips out - not re-use the self-tapping screws.
myotheralt
If you do that, make sure the drive is different from the other screw. One Phillips, the other M5 socket.
kahlas
Tamper proof torx is the way.
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
Oh I hate those things. So much time wasted going back for a different tool just because they're too laahdeedaah to use regular torx bits lol
YippeeKayakOB
And a helicoil is poor man's thread.
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
To some extent yes - though it can be used to strengthen the thread.
kahlas
I'm a bigger fan of replacing the enclosure. Might be a PITA to do on something old they don't make anymore where you need to retrofit a new enclosure on. But odds are that enclosure isn't done giving you problems if it's in that condition anyway.
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
Sounds nice if you can even get a replacement enclosure - but often you can't, and even if you can you have to wait days or weeks for it to arrive. This will solve the problem *now*.
kahlas
Retrofitting something not made anymore was implying a new but different enclosure. I've also never had to wait more than 3 days to get a plastic enclosure from any one of a dozen companies that specialize in stocking thousands of different sizes and styles of enclosures. It dosen't actually solve the problem, which is the enclosure is worn out. It kicks the can down the road. Here is an example of one such supplier. https://www.okwenclosures.com/en
TheBlueMuppet
I really like Ez-Loks. Single steel insert. They are easy to put in, don't involve weird taps with the wrong size written on them, and don't separate and trap your screw when they fail. If you need a new one, pop it out and toss in a new one with plenty of thread lock.
FlyYouFLCL
My Chevy taunnou cover has glued in screws for the latches. I never even thought of this.
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
First step in doing something is knowing about it :-)
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
Yup, they are great! Cost a bit, but if you're in a situation where you need them, cost is usually irrelevant lol
TheBlueMuppet
Yeah, they are expensive sometimes, but after having to fix a plate full of helicoils by drilling then out because they got pulled and partially uncoiled, I'll take a little cost not to ruin my drills again. I've used Ez-Loks for years. You can chase the threads for cleaning and light repair, or even bore them out to make a reinforced thru-hole. The best part is you can put them in a thin plate, and file off anything that sticks out. Not in plastic, though, that's an aluminum benefit, lol.
SterlingArcherSecretAgent
Nice tip about the through-hole, never thought to use them for that but it makes great sense!
TheBlueMuppet
I have a lot of parts at work that get swapped out frequently for configuration changes, and steel screws eventually start wearing through the bottoms of their counterbores over time. I've had to drill things out and add in a steel reinforcement quite a few times. And it's removable if it gets damaged! Now I just need something to stop coworkers from using their shoulders to torque down small screws in Aluminum.