What tap to use for case screws?

[Mr. Perfect]

I'll be making a new back panel for my case, and I need to thread it for standard case screws. Anyone know what tap I should use to thread the bolt holes on the new panel?

[ghettocomp]

I believe that the screws usually used in the PC are 6X32, A number 6 drill and a 6/32 tap should be the proper size for most standard case screws.

[DeViL_909]

could always poprivet it together.

[Captain Slug]

#6-32 not 6/32

#6 is the hole gauge and 32 is the thread count.

[Mr. Perfect]

Very helpfull, thanks guys.

Well, except for the guy who wants me to rivet the sides of my case on. :eh?:

[Captain Slug]

I don't remember what hole gauge and thread count the machine screws for optical drives use. My tap & die set doesn't go that small but I do vaugely remember that it's a metric screw.
I don't use them for anything so I never bothered looking it up.

[DeViL_909]

Lol ouch flamed for advice :( . A simple I need the back to come off would have sufficed :) . When you said back pannel I thought you were talking about the back where the mobo comes out. You said I wanted you to rivet your side pannels on, but I meant the back of the comp. I have always called those the side pannels and was just going read through quickly since I was in class. But if you rivet the case closed, you would never have to worry about anyone messing with it :).

[Mr. Perfect]

It wasn't ment as a flame, I just thought it odd that you'd suggest riveting my case up like that. :) That's why I used the little "huh?" smilie.

[ghettocomp]

#6-32 not 6/32

#6 is the hole gauge and 32 is the thread count.

oops my bad, those fat fingers typos could sink a ship :cool:
I looked up the sizes because I have to do something like that (screw holes) with my big box project.

Edit: what it should have said is
I believe that the screws usually used in the PC are 6-32, A number 6 drill and a 6-32 tap should be the proper size for most standard case screws.

[Captain Slug]

If you want thumbscrews they're quite cheap in boxes of 50 to 100. And trust me, a customized case can easily use atleast 50 of them.

I'm partial to Nylon and Aluminum screws because they're the easiest to trim to the lengths you need. Nylon can be trimmed with nail clippers and aluminum can be trimmed easily with a jigsaw (and pliers) or a dremel.

[warlock110]

If you want thumbscrews they're quite cheap in boxes of 50 to 100. And trust me, a customized case can easily use atleast 50 of them.

I'm partial to Nylon and Aluminum screws because they're the easiest to trim to the lengths you need. Nylon can be trimmed with nail clippers and aluminum can be trimmed easily with a jigsaw (and pliers) or a dremel.

where can i buy a box of thumb screw?

[Captain Slug]

where can i buy a box of thumb screw?
Search http://www.mcmaster.com for part number 94323A305
You can buy 100 black nylon #6-32 thumbscrews for $11.29

For stainless steel allen head bolts try http://www.boltdepot.com/product.aspx?cc=13&cs=71&cm=6&cd=1208

[mortimer]

Very helpfull, thanks guys.

Well, except for the guy who wants me to rivet the sides of my case on. :eh?:

Not a problem if you get it right the first time. :)

[Susquehannock]

> "I believe that the screws usually used in the PC are 6-32, A number 6 drill and a 6-32 tap should be the proper size for most standard case screws." <

Woah!! ... wait a minute!
A #6 drill is almost 1/4" (.204) ... much too big for a 6-32 thread.

Actually the proper drill size for 6-32 thread is a #36 drill bit (.106")
http://www.engineersedge.com/tap_drill_chart.htm

Any other machining questions just let me know. :)