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those "8-32" screws that come with light fixtures

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MarkJames

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Just wondering....

...are the screws that come with light fixtures really supposed to be 8-32's or are they something else? They are such wobbly cr@p, being a hair narrower. What's the story? Are they really intended for the screwing the crosspiece into the jbox? I always use my own screws that are more snug, but just wondering why they supply that junk.
 
Discussion starter · #4 · (Edited)
Tinstaafl said:
Wow, you get screws for that? :laughing:

If supplied, the screws usually work well for metal boxes. With plastic boxes, I usually wind up using short deck screws.
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I'd have to disagree. They're too loose for metal boxes most, if not all of the time. More peace of mind to spend $10 box of 8-32's in the electrical aisle.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Inner10 said:
Fixture boxes come with their own screws.
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Yes, of course. And I use them if they're still there. But in old houses, after years of lighting swaps, you see everything else, too. Today I replaced a hunter ceiling fan who's mounting plate was lagged into plaster and barely into wood. It came loose as soon as started to unscrew it.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Red Adobe said:
the problem may be in the old boxes...........or your buying junk fixtures.
I dont run into often but sometimes some jackhole cross threads.

Buy long 8-32 and you can always cut them down......theres always a handfull in my toolbags just incase.
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It's definitely the cheap screws that come with these fixtures, like typical bix box stuff and lots of online stuff, too. It's not from cross-threading ( or hardly ever, anyway) because better screws work perfectly. Yes, I cut them if necessary, really like my Kleins.
 
#14 ·
Probably 99.5% of cheap light fixtures are made in China or some other third-world Asian country. Quality is usually nonexistent.

The "steel" those screws are made of is only slightly tougher than aluminum. :censored:
I would imagine the tooling used to make the screws is what you'd call accurate. They are nearly all undersized and can be infuriating to use.
 
#15 ·
Speedy Petey said:
Probably 99.5% of cheap light fixtures are made in China or some other third-world Asian country. Quality is usually nonexistent.

The "steel" those screws are made of is only slightly tougher than aluminum. :censored:
I would imagine the tooling used to make the screws is what you'd call accurate. They are nearly all undersized and can be infuriating to use.
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A friend of mine owns a manufacturing co. , they sometimes change dies every day depending on production. The China co.s change them monthly if that. When the dies are worn and the screw is off sized sometimes you are nearly stripping the box the first time you put the screw in.
 
#16 ·
I have a couple compartment boxes of electrical screws for fixtures, outlets, switches, boxes, etc. of various lengths. They always go in with me on those types of jobs. And, about half the time, I need to cut to length.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Tom M said:
So where are the 10's used? I know I have acquired some from exterior flood lights and maybe inside the box? those screws for wire clamps.
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I clipped this from elsewhere:


6-32 screws will generally be used to screw receptacles and switches into plastic boxes and steel mud rings, they are also used to attach cover plates to miscillaneous devices (receptacles and switches).

8-32 screws will commonly be used in steel electrical boxes (4" square and larger)

10-32 screws will commonly be found in light fixtures and most ground screws have 10-32 threads

1/4-20 and 3/8-16 are more bolts than screws....they will generally be used to bolt equipment to walls, floors, etc...
 
#19 ·
MarkJames said:
I clipped this from elsewhere:


6-32 screws will generally be used to screw receptacles and switches into plastic boxes and steel mud rings, they are also used to attach cover plates to miscillaneous devices (receptacles and switches).

8-32 screws will commonly be used in steel electrical boxes (4" square and larger)

10-32 screws will commonly be found in light fixtures and most ground screws have 10-32 threads

1/4-20 and 3/8-16 are more bolts than screws....they will generally be used to bolt equipment to walls, floors, etc...
Click to expand...
Sort of.

6-32 - Device mounting and plates
8-32 - Fixture and general junction box screws; 4"sq, 4" oct, 4-11/16"sq
10-32 - Ground screws, clamp screws on metal gem boxes, fan box screws (NOT generally found in light fixtures)
10-24 - Fixture mounting screws on most round weatherproof boxes
 
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