View Full Version : Make your own thumbscrews!
Über~PhLuBB
10-01-01, 03:16 PM
I just got done making a few thumbscrews.
I made two different kinds, the first of which being your standard case screws, epoxied onto a "handle" of some sort. In my assorted Bolts-N-Crap drawer, I had some 1/2" long x 1/4" diameter hollow aluminum bushings lying around, so I whipped out the ol' epoxy, and seated them onto the head of each screw.
The second were some assorted (Well, not assorted, they're identical, but they were in my "assorted Bolts-N-Crap drawer") bolts that are the correct diameter and threading, with a nut epoxied half way down (you look at an actual case screw, and epoxy the nut where the head of a standard case screw would be. In my case, almost exactly half way down). Epoxying a nut half way down serves to stop the bolt from threading it's way all the way in, which would just make it an extra long case screw.
There is a third kind you can make, which is a take off of the second type (I ran out of nuts though), which is to merely get 2 or 3 nuts per bolt, thread a nut all the way up the bolt, and make certain it stays there (Put epoxy above the threads of the nut, once you get it half way or more). Then thread a second nut up the bolt, and epoxy it into place. Continue as many times as nessecary to make a solid "handle", until you've got the correct length (Again, use an actual case screw to gauge the length).
And a fourth one I just thought of, similar to the 3rd. Instead of multiple nuts, you could use a single nut, and take up the rest of the useless length with washers. This wouldn't give you as much grip as a few nuts (haha...) would, but it's better than a poke in the pupil with a white-hot skewer.
I made 8 total, so now my case is TRUELY tooless!
foxmulder
10-01-01, 03:43 PM
I'd like to see some pics. Seems like this belongs in the case modding section tho.
stompah
10-01-01, 03:48 PM
I ordered some case fans and just ordered 20 thumb screws at the same time. That was about 4 months ago, I finally used the frst 4 of the thumb screws last week.
FINALLY A CASE WITH IT'S SIDES ON!!! Best mod ever!
Über~PhLuBB
10-01-01, 04:16 PM
Originally posted by foxmulder
I'd like to see some pics. Seems like this belongs in the case modding section tho.
I'm in the process of getting a hold of a digital camera. As soon as I do, you can bet I'll get pictures of the thumbscrews, my case mods, and my GF2 Ultra mods.
Thelemac
10-01-01, 04:28 PM
Nice idea. I just might have to try that on a couple of my cases.
*Moved to "Alternative Modding"*
Über~PhLuBB
10-01-01, 04:42 PM
Originally posted by Thelemac
Nice idea. I just might have to try that on a couple of my cases.
*Moved to "Alternative Modding"*
Thanks! (I was actually just about to move it, on the suggestion from foxmulder, but when I clicked "Delete", it gave me an error.)
WyrmMaster
10-01-01, 05:44 PM
I think il get right on that =) great idea by the way.
Or, you could go out and buy them, but that would be too easy, wouldn't it?
Über~PhLuBB
10-01-01, 08:59 PM
Originally posted by Oni
Or, you could go out and buy them, but that would be too easy, wouldn't it?
Screw buying 'em. $2 EACH? My GOD, that's WAY too much. Make your own from your parts drawer for free! If you've got some useable parts, and at least 4 or 5 of each (the "handle" part, and case screws = 2 parts), you can make them functional, AND good looking.
When I get pictures, you'll see what I mean. They really look good. But I was lucky to find these long bushings in my parts drawer.
Originally posted by PhLuBB
Screw buying 'em. $2 EACH? My GOD, that's WAY too much. Make your own from your parts drawer for free! If you've got some useable parts, and at least 4 or 5 of each (the "handle" part, and case screws = 2 parts), you can make them functional, AND good looking.
When I get pictures, you'll see what I mean. They really look good. But I was lucky to find these long bushings in my parts drawer.
$2.00 Each? What store are you shopping at. All I have to do is ask my friendly neibourhood computer store guy, and he'll give em to me!
Über~PhLuBB
10-01-01, 10:04 PM
Originally posted by Oni
$2.00 Each? What store are you shopping at. All I have to do is ask my friendly neibourhood computer store guy, and he'll give em to me!
You must be thinking of your regular case screws. Not thumb screws.
A thumb screw is a case screw with a large head, big enogh to grasp between your thumb (hence the name) and forefinger.
I doubt your computer store would give away $2 thumb screws for free, unless you give them ALOT of buisness.
This is a case screw:
http://www.directron.com/screws.html
This is a thumb screw:
http://www.directron.com/thumbscrews.html
Dissolved
10-02-01, 01:16 AM
Originally posted by Oni
Or, you could go out and buy them, but that would be too easy, wouldn't it?
thats what im gonna do.. the stainless steal ones look really nice, but @ 1.99 each.. that's Alot! you could end up spending more on them then a new computer heh.. well no, but there alot of cash
cowanrg
10-02-01, 11:51 AM
well, you can get em cheaper than $2 each.
here are some links:
$0.40 each for brass thumbs
http://2cooltek.safeshopper.com/47/89.htm?387
or, if stainless is your flavor; 6 thumbs for $2.99
http://www.hardcorecooling.com/R1.htm
another site with 6 pack of stainless for $3
http://www.bestbyte.net/Category.cfm?CategoryID=2&Keyword=
(they also have a bag of 100 for $20! you could buy them, and just sell the excess!)
and since you are spending so little on them, shipping kills you, so i suggest checking your local hardware store. mine has em for like $0.30 each. good luck all!
Über~PhLuBB
10-02-01, 05:14 PM
Originally posted by cowanrg
well, you can get em cheaper than $2 each.
here are some links:
$0.40 each for brass thumbs
http://2cooltek.safeshopper.com/47/89.htm?387
or, if stainless is your flavor; 6 thumbs for $2.99
http://www.hardcorecooling.com/R1.htm
another site with 6 pack of stainless for $3
http://www.bestbyte.net/Category.cfm?CategoryID=2&Keyword=
(they also have a bag of 100 for $20! you could buy them, and just sell the excess!)
and since you are spending so little on them, shipping kills you, so i suggest checking your local hardware store. mine has em for like $0.30 each. good luck all!
Wow, I had no idea they were so cheap. Still though, that's not the overclocker's way!
cowanrg
10-02-01, 05:26 PM
hehe, i hear ya man!
i would rather buy the screws, and nuts for the price of the thumbs, just to say i made customs. of course, i have a screwless case. i just pop the front bezel off, and bam, the case butterfly's open, top comes off, etc... its kinda cool.
but making your own stuff is cool. and can be cheaper.
PixelMover
10-03-01, 03:35 PM
...and then I could buy lots and lots of screws, and glue loads of different things on top...Steel, wood plastic...maybe marble, or..or..or..gold !!! yes ! gold and silver and gems and diamonds !! and sell them on the internet...start an e-buisness, become a dot-commer, maybe something like ...www.thumscrewsheaven.com ....
get filthy rich, so i can finally afford to buy those Lian Li thumbscrews for $2,00 each, which I seem to misplace all the time..and...
But seriousley, it's a good idea, and they'd be perfect for inside the case, so I can use my few remaining original ones on the outside. Thanks for the tip!
you could use a tap and die set I don't know about putting them together the way you do. I would get like 10mm round stock and turn them on the metal lathe and then tap or die them can't remember which is which. LOL but then you could make fancy ones and they will look sweet. I think I have some brass somewhere. I will have to make a few. anybody know the size and threads for case screws?
CrystalMethod
10-03-01, 11:53 PM
Anyone bother to check their local "home depot"? I'm sure that they have them there for cheaper than $2.00 each. I've got a tap and die set, and I'm sure I could make my own, but there's a limit on what I'll do just to say "I made it myself.". Hell, I could go out and buy some sheet metal and make a case from scratch, but you gotta ask yourself... " Is it worth the time and effort?"
The Overclocker
10-06-01, 07:23 AM
if you put that much effort into making something expensive you might save some money
what is the fun in buying everything. who cares how long it takes if you do it yourself you can take pride in it. I mod for the fun of it not to save time and money. if materials are cheap then the cost is low even if it take me all weekend to make 20 screws.
yes I know time is money.
WyrmMaster
10-08-01, 05:58 PM
I just made my own today. Took a standard case screw and soddered a 3/8 on top. Looks pretty good, and works great. The 3/8 nut fits over the head just perfect. You could probably do a better looking job with epoxy if you filled the nut from the inside, but you cant tell i soddered mine unless you take them off. They just look like a 6 sided thumbscrew with a hollow head.
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