Thread size of screws in two prong type body cord

[Greg Z.]

I am having a problem with the screws from the two prong type body cord (foil side) plug. They keep falling out! The rest of the plug is fine, so I hate to buy a whole new plug. Are the screws metric? I can't find any thread size that fit or that I have a die for. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[Purple Fencer]

[quote]Originally posted by Greg Z.:
<strong>I am having a problem with the screws from the two prong type body cord (foil side) plug. They keep falling out! The rest of the plug is fine, so I hate to buy a whole new plug. Are the screws metric? I can't find any thread size that fit or that I have a die for. Any suggestions? Thanks.</strong><hr></blockquote>

There are two different sizes of screws on a foil plug...3 AND 4 mm. Is it that the screws are too small for the hole, or that they sorta fit, but don't tighten down?

Also, is it a French or German cord?

[Greg Z.]

Purple Fencer
I have Prieur Foil body cord. These screws are factory. They fit fine but don't seem to tighten all the way. They work loose.
If I can find the screws I'll use lock tight or simply place a piece of tape around the plug body, so even if they loosen they won't fall out.
Thanks, Greg Z.

[Purple Fencer]

[quote]Originally posted by Greg Z.:
<strong>Purple Fencer
I have Prieur Foil body cord. These screws are factory. They fit fine but don't seem to tighten all the way. They work loose.
If I can find the screws I'll use lock tight or simply place a piece of tape around the plug body, so even if they loosen they won't fall out.
Thanks, Greg Z.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Hmmm...if they're factory, you may just have gotton a pair of poorly manufactured screws. I've had that happen a few times. Try a different set of screws and see what happens.

FWIW...I'm buying a supply of 2 prong (French and German) and 3 prong plugs that I'm going to use for spare parts...I've had a few too many people ask me for a screw for an Uhlmann cord, and I have none to spare!

[Greg Z.]

Thanks again PF.
I'll take your advice. I may just have to get out the soldering iron and the epoxy glue.
Nothing in this world can't be fixed better than new with just three things, a soldering iron, epoxy glue and duct tape.
Greg Z.

[Purple Fencer]

Somebody listening to me! *faint*

Seriously, not a prob. That's what this section of the board is for, and while I may not be anywhere the level armorer of a Neevel, I HAVE picked up a few things while getting high off the superglue fumes!

I WOULD be wary of one thing, though. I'd be concerned that use of Lock Tite might insulate the screw from the wire, thus killing the circuit. That's why I resist using any such stuff on foil barrels, since that's part of the circuit.

[Greg Z.]

Purple Fencer
Too late. I got fed up and went ahead and soldered the wires into to prongs, set the prongs in position and epoxied them in place. Works great. I think I didn't make myself clear on which screws I was talking about. These screws only hold the plug prongs in place in the plug. They are not really part of the circuit, but mainly keep the prongs from floating in and out of the plug.
Too much information? Yes?
Did I tell you that I make my own foil wires using the plastic caps from my son's toy cap gun?
Greg Z.

[fred]

I may have to buy a cap gun :-) !

I have Prieur cords, and the loosening screws are endemic. The piece of tape trick works well to keep from losing them, but I've had to get in the habit of tightening them regularly. Body cords get a lot of abuse, so it's not that odd, really.

[Greg Z.]

Fred,
Thanks for the info. The epoxy really works well. I have too many things to think about.
Don't buy the cap gun, just the caps. I don't know how long they will last, but so far so good in two of my foils. They both got a good workout over the weekend.
Greg Z.