Thermochill Radiator Mounting Screw Size

[Zaskar]

Need to get some screws that will let me connect the radiator directly to the case, and the provided ones are meant to be used to connect the fans to the radiator.

Not looking for length, ill figure that out myself depending on what I want to use (Fan filters, grills, maybe another neoprene gasket or wasters), so I'm just looking for thread size.

Thermochill's site says:
* Small self-tappers used are 6x1/2" Sheet Metal Screws.
* For closed corner fans such as the Nexus and YateLoon, use 3.5x38mm Sheet Metal Screws.

Since their self tapping I want to get the thread size perfect since you cant really get a second chance.

www.McMaster.com Has Thread Forming Screws on page 2985, should I be getting the coarse or fine thread screws? (Pretty sure thread forming ones are the proper screw, as the sheet metal ones have a sharp point to be used without a pre drilled hole)

Thanks guys.

[iggy2k]

just get 3.5mm machine screws.

[qdemn7]

I would get the coarse threads. Gauge 6 (six), OR metric 3.5mm x .6mm.

[Zaskar]

cool, thanks guys.

Would using non metric 6-32 also work just as good? (6 is 3.5052mm)

[septim]

6-32 is good, just get yourself some hand taps of 6-32 size, tap em holes, and screw em good...

or those 3mm taps with 3mm screws...

length is 1/4 inch or smaller should fit in good...

[shabranigdo]

6-32 is good, just get yourself some hand taps of 6-32 size, tap em holes, and screw em good...

or those 3mm taps with 3mm screws...

length is 1/4 inch or smaller should fit in good...

+1 Very easy to tap to 6-32 and in my opinion alot better than self tapping screws.

[Zaskar]

Nice ill pick up some 6-32 Hex Head screws and a tap bit in that size then soon as I figure out what items I'm going to use in front of the case (grill/filter/robber grommet) so I can get the right length.

[LogAn'sRun]

I tapped mine to m4 size with a self tapper.

Then I added 5mm acrylic inbetween the rad and the case. So my screws are a little longer, but 6mm should be fine.

You can see it here (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2864159&postcount=82) if you scroll down through the pictures a little. I like the m4 size, it just feels more sturdy.

[Janno]

m4 should fit with a bit of force, too :P

[septim]

get and assortment of lengths, i would start at 1/4inch up to 2inch or more, just in case i come across 38mm fans to mount to my rad...
if ever its a little long, dremel cut it to size...

screws are cheap, lets say you'd likely spend $100 on this assortment of stainless or black hex/pan/acorned/etc... hehehe... don't tell the missus...

[Zaskar]

get and assortment of lengths, i would start at 1/4inch up to 2inch or more, just in case i come across 38mm fans to mount to my rad...
if ever its a little long, dremel cut it to size...

screws are cheap, lets say you'd likely spend $100 on this assortment of stainless or black hex/pan/acorned/etc... hehehe... don't tell the missus...

Wont even cost that much :D

Its like $8-10 per pack of 50.

$100 is more along the lines of the cost to use all Titanium screws :D (like $13 per screw)

Definitely will buy an assortment too, just in case I was a little off or to compensate for using a Grill without a filer and with one, etc.

[Zaskar]

Since ive gotten such awesome answers about this I have 1 last question I hope you guys can answer :D

What Screw size should I use if I want to mount a 120mm Fan to the case, useing those machine screws like the ones im going to use for the radiator. (just a case fan, where the screw is threaded into the fan this time.

Their hole is a little larger in diameter (which is perfect for radiators so that the screw doesnt try to thread into the fan And the radiator) but If I wanted to use hex head machinbe screws to mount the case fans to the chassis instead of using those horrible cheep self threading fan screws, what should I use?

I assume its either 8-32 or 10-32?

[Kilyin]

I use 6-32 to mount fans to thermochills. 1.25 inch for 120x25mm, 1.75 inch for 120x38mm.

[evil-98]

i dont have a thermochill, but you can virtually use any thread size you want as long as you got the tap and the whole is the appropriate size

i would suggest 10-32 just because its a larger screw. bigger is better :up:

[Zaskar]

i dont have a thermochill, but you can virtually use any thread size you want as long as you got the tap and the whole is the appropriate size

i would suggest 10-32 just because its a larger screw. bigger is better :up:

10-32 for the fan to case mount or for the radiator? :D

I think a 10-32 will be big enough to thread into the hole of the fans (don't know for sure, its what id like to know) and if so wouldn't be good for connecting a fan to a radiator, but perfect for connecting the fan to the case (if its the right size)

Of course if the radiator is mounting right to the case then the bigger size would be fine, but id rather spend slightly more on higher quality/grade stainless screws in the smaller size then make that side of the fan a pain if in the future I want to attach fans to it :D

[spotswood]

i dont have a thermochill, but you can virtually use any thread size you want as long as you got the tap and the whole is the appropriate size

i would suggest 10-32 just because its a larger screw. bigger is better :up:
But a #10 bolt won't fit through a fan's mounting holes. (Unless you mod them.)

[Waterlogged]

10-32 will form threads in the fan housing, It's how I mounted my extension shroud to my X-QPack.

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/7281/sn150054zw7.jpg

[septim]

if you're gonna use some rubber gromets, 6-32 or 3mm screws with appropriate length should be enough to connect case and fan, drill out case panel to fit grommet, then screw through case and fan and put a lockin nylon insert nut...

[Zaskar]

10-32 will form threads in the fan housing, It's how I mounted my extension shroud to my X-QPack.

Is it a strong mount?
Did 10-32 seem like the proper/best size for threading the fan?

[spotswood]

10-32 will form threads in the fan housing, It's how I mounted my extension shroud to my X-QPack.


:up:

[Waterlogged]

Is it a strong mount?
Did 10-32 seem like the proper/best size for threading the fan?

Strong enough for me to use it to help carry the PC. ;)