Gristle

Stripped Screw Hole in Ceiling Advice

https://lemmy.world/post/966761

Stripped Screw Hole in Ceiling Advice - Lemmy.world

I was hanging a ceiling fan in this room when I discovered that the mounting screw holes in the electrical box are stripped. My dad has suggested using JB Weld putty, letting it cure, drilling it out with a small bit and then using wood screws. I’m a first time homeowner and have neither the confidence nor the expertise to completely replace the box. Is my dad’s route the best course of action or is it a waste of time and/or dangerous to go that route? Thank you!

Jul 3, 2023 at 12:45amWeb
Show threadDeaconBleuJul 3, 2023

I don’t like the idea of putting in putty and drilling it out, but it wouldn’t be the worst DIY hack that I have ever seen.

Honestly though, switching out the box is not a particularly big deal. Seriously consider getting up there and getting a good look at it and check out a couple of youtube videos. You can get an old work box and throw it up between some rafters in a few minutes.

Show threadGristleJul 3, 2023
Gotcha, thanks, it seems like replacing that box is the consensus. Guess I’m gonna have to figure that out. Thank you!
Show threada_large_rockJul 3, 2023
Just make sure to turn the power off at the box! You can get a cheap voltage detector to be sure.
Show threadardittyJul 3, 2023

Regular electrical boxes are usually 6-32 size screws, ceiling fan boxes usually 8-32. If the holes are stripped, especially with plastic boxes, a lot of times you can get away with using the next size up (either 8-32 or 10-32) and forcibly screwing them in. They will cut new threads in the soft plastic/metal of the box, and you’ll be good to go. This is how most electricians would handle it without replacing the box.

If you want to do a cleaner, less hacky job, you can get a set of drill-taps, like this:

www.homedepot.com/p/…/304401087

You can usually find them in the electrical section of your big-box home improvement store of choice. Just use the next size up and get some appropriate screws.

Show threadinfinitevalenceJul 3, 2023
I will second getting the Klein tap set and just drilling and tapping the hole and using a size up. Replacing the box is by far the best thing to do, but tapping the existing box is fine for the next 10 years.