nali wrote on 2026-01-08, 21:06:Maybe by moving the metal like a crater with a punch, before drill a very small hole ?
Than use a screw instead of taping ?
StriderTR wrote on 2026-01-08, 22:55:I've had success in the past using roll form taps on PC case sheet metal. Perhaps take a look at those. No material loss from drilling means more metal to thread.
Roll form taps are interesting, I did not know about these. Using one of those in a hole like described by Nali could work.
Normally roll forming taps require an exact (large) hole size, but in this case the excess material can be pushed out of the way, forming a flanged hole.
maxtherabbit wrote on 2026-01-08, 23:15:...
this is what I would do, use a sheet metal screw instead of the usual 6-32 machine screw
Even though I am a metrics guy, for some reason the UNC #6-32 screws are part of the PC tinkering experience 😉 so I will try to keep those in. That being said, having a cover actually screws in place is the most important goal.
paradigital wrote on 2026-01-09, 06:19:Can’t you just put a hole where needed and use a correctly threaded nut behind said hole?
Unless I can somehow fixate the nuts, it will spin, making it impossible to screw or unscrew (the nuts will be inaccessible once the cover is on).
NeoG_ wrote on 2026-01-09, 07:18:
Yes, UNC #6-32 rivnuts exist! This will be my plan B.
Since metric cutting taps are the standard here, I will need to order a (fluteless) roll forming tap from abroad. It will probably take a few weeks to arrive. In the meanwhile I will also order some rivnuts (+ 6-32 bolts, since I do not have a rivnut tool), I think those can be handy to repair stripped threads.
I will keep you posted. Thanks for the suggestions!
