Loose plug socket cover - threadlock?

[T4tomo]

I have a double socket where the threads must be a bit chuffed on the metal "Box in the wall" as you can screw the screw in but every now and again it slips (I have tried a new screw, its the thread in the box that is chuffed). do you reckon a dab of threadlock on the screw will help? or does anyone have a neat solutions short of changing the wall box, which is a bit of a nuclear option.

 

[OldShep]

Maybe try bonding a nut on behind the original tag of metal.

 

[T4tomo]

Maybe try bonding a nut on behind the original tag of metal.

might be worth a shot, although a bit fiddly, I might end up sticking myself to it with superglue

 

[richardfm]

might be worth a shot, although a bit fiddly, I might end up sticking myself to it with superglue

Or getting it slightly misaligned so the screw won't go in.

 

[Electric_Andy]

the last person to secure that bolt must have cross threaded it. Threadlock won't do much unless it's the red type and enough of the threads are touching their opposing threads. There is usually quite a bit of pressure against them, as the wires are thick and trying to push the cover out. If it were me I'd get someone to fit a new box and cover

 

[TissoT]

Socket screws are M3... Try M4/5

 

[T4tomo]

might be worth a shot, although a bit fiddly, I might end up sticking myself to it with superglue

Or getting it slightly misaligned so the screw won't go in.

maybe grease a bolt thread and use that bolt to hold glued nut in place with socket face plate off / open. remove bolt from nut when dry (pray the glue hasn't got into the threads), and then replace face plate and screw in.

this is value of pooled idea's.

Socket screws are M3... Try M4/5

rejecting this one, I don't think an m4 or 5 is going to go thru the cover plate hole.

 

[presta]

changing the wall box, which is a bit of a nuclear option

It's not that much bother, if you scrape the plaster from round the box with something thin like an old hacksaw blade the socket will cover most of it without filling when you put it back. Do you not keep leftover paint & paper for patching this sort of stuff?

 

[Once a Wheeler]

Available here.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

It's not that much bother, if you scrape the plaster from round the box with something thin like an old hacksaw blade the socket will cover most of it without filling when you put it back. Do you not keep leftover paint & paper for patching this sort of stuff?

Switch off electric first!

 

[TissoT]

Got to Agree get the box out and fit a new.
20 mins max of a job to undertake

 

[Profpointy]

Switch off electric first!

Nah, it's fine if you wear rubber gloves and wellingtons

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Nah, it's fine if you wear rubber gloves and wellingtons

In my yoof I have disconnected & reconnected live tails coming into the house, wouldn't do it now

 

[Fastpedaller]

I have the ideal solution - I've used it and it works! Just like a rawlplug....... strip about 10mm of the plastic insulation off a spare wire, make a cut across the diameter of the plastic 'tube' at one end to a depth of about 3mm, so the end can be spread to prevent it falling right through the threaded hole in the metal, and it also makes a lead-in for the screw. Push plastic into threaded hole. Put plate on and insert screw and tighten.

 

[Profpointy]

In my yoof I have disconnected & reconnected live tails coming into the house, wouldn't do it now

Me too ! I was in a shared house with separate meters per floor. I got the manky basement quite cheap given it was Ealing but the power was cut off, so the expedient solution was to connect in to my pal's first floor meter and split the bill. Insulated pliers, rubber gloves, rubber boots and job done safely if illegally. It was quite a while back