Screws for fans & Rad

[xguntherc]

Hey guys.. I'm looking for some info regarding screw size for my fans and radiator. I have the feser tfc 360 Rad and I am pulling it down and going to use my Yate Loons for shrouds and running my new GT 1850s.

I need screws long enough to go through 2 regular fans so around 50mm plus a little longer for the rubber anti vibration rings, washers, and still reach the radiator but not be to long? So what should I look for. 55mm screws or something?
And will home depot have em? Also I think my tfc 360 takes M3 screws right? I'm sure people here have ran the same thing. Any advice on screws would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[kinghong1970]

xguntherc, here's the info for ya... (http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&channel=s&hl=en&source=hp&q=screw+size+TFC+360&btnG=Google+Search)

it seems that it's M3...
you can try Home Depot/Lowes... else, McMasters have em here... in various lengths... (http://www.mcmaster.com/#machine-screws/=6tetow)

or start here and select type of head you want...
(http://www.mcmaster.com/#screws/=6tetxp)

[dnottis]

Most use 6-32, 1 1/4" or 1 1/2". You can usually get packs of 10 for about $1. Get both and eyeball it from the outside with the fan on it to make sure it wont puncture the rad.

[xguntherc]

They are M3.. no one knows length huh.. ill get a few n just eyeball it I guess unless someone else posts.

[kinghong1970]

Dude, it's hard for us to tell you how long...


...plus a little longer for the rubber anti vibration rings, washers, and still reach the radiator but not be to long?...

how thick are the vibration rings, washers? how much space do you have on the radiator housing to the fins?
AND
how many washers and rings are you going to use?

it's so easy to cut a M3 screw to size... just get one of these...
http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/boltcut.jpg

and read up here... (http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/HOW_TO_CUT_A_BOLT_OR_MACHINE_SCREW.htm)

[xguntherc]

Oh.. I use an O ring sized rubber ring on the screw.. and between the fans. Then the very thin washer. Its not to fat and the rubber rings are as thin as a o ring or thinner when screwed down..

I. Thought someone might have an actual size idea to get for double fans. But I guess ill just get one double my current ones length n try that

[Humminn55]

I'm using 6-32 screws, which is essentially the same thread pitch and screw diameter as M4 screws, in my TFC rad and a 1 1/4" length, which clears the fins very easily. Add an inch to the length and you get a 2 1/4" length.

[noutis]

You need M3x60mm because if my memory serves me right the M3 jumps from 50mm to 60mm.
You can also use 6-32 screws you will strip the threads but the end result is the same.

[Vinas]

Dangerden sells a mounting kit that uses plastic nuts, bolt, and thumbscrews. You can then cut them to any length needed, so they come in pretty handy. I use them to mount my rads all the time. They also seem to absorb vibration pretty nicely too.

[hoganth]

Ace Hardware has the largest most complete selection of metric hardware I have found. I needed m4 screws specific length and they had them. More metric stock than home depot and lowes combined

[Waterlogged]

. . .or you could do what I do. Drill out the mounting holes on the shroud to just over 3/16" on the fan side and use short 10-32 screws to mount the shroud to the fan and then use short screws the sizes the rad needs to mount the shroud to it. Clean, simply and no odd size screws/bolts to lose your sanity looking for. ;)

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=82091&d=1216189933

[gmat]

.. and whatever you use as a shroud needs to have open corners ;) It goes without saying, but sometimes, you know ;)

[ScottALot]

Where could I get screws for these purpouses?

Through the HAF 932, through a 38mm fan, into a BIX 360

and

Through a 25mm into a BIX 360.

[xguntherc]

Gmat why do they have to be open on shrouds? Or will that just make it easier. I don't think my yates have open corners now I think of it.

I might mound shrouds first, then use current screws to mount fans from top into shrouds. Well see when it becomes time

[kinghong1970]

. . .or you could do what I do. Drill out the mounting holes on the shroud to just over 3/16" on the fan side and use short 10-32 screws to mount the shroud to the fan and then use short screws the sizes the rad needs to mount the shroud to it. Clean, simply and no odd size screws/bolts to lose your sanity looking for. ;)

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=82091&d=1216189933

while doing that, DON'T do what i did...

place a plastic ruler and expect it to stop the drill-bit from penetrating the radiators...

:rofl:

my most retarded WC'ing experience...

[H20Cooled]

I use a credit when making sure my screws are not to long. I place the credit card between the fins and mounting hole on my TFC rad (tape in place) and then mount the fans/shroud. If the screw touches the card you can feel the resistance and see the mark but keep it from punching a hole in the tubes. You can make a screw any size you want by threading a few nuts onto the screw and then using a dremel to cut it at the length you want. Then removing the nuts will clean up the threads where you cut it to length.

[gmat]

Gmat why do they have to be open on shrouds? Or will that just make it easier.
open corners on shrouds, that makes it easier of course and allows to do what waterlogged posted about.

[malkiewicz]

Looking for screws / good price (6-32 / 4M / 3M)

http://www.carpentercreek.us/searchresults.sc

[DoggRoger]

I have the same Rad and am creating some custom "airbox (http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9131/cpa-281/Tecnofront_AirBox_360_-_Acrylic_.html?tl=g30c95s162)" type shrouds for it using Home Depot large paint stir sticks, sheetmetal, glue and tape. I looked high and low for really long 3m screws but could not find any, so I opted for 2x1M 3M threaded rods (http://www.palmerbolt.com/catalog.asp?prodid=639796&showprevnext=1) which I will cut to the size I need. I also picked up some 3M hex nuts (http://www.palmerbolt.com/catalog.asp?prodid=618102&showprevnext=1), rubber grommets, metal washers, and foam weather stripping to make the seal, I'll post pictures when I finish the project. Im making 6 shrouds for my 3 rad's, so I have quite a bit of work ahead of me.

[malkiewicz]

I withdraw my recommendation - Just received my order of rusty screws today... :(

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5272/screwsx.jpg

[washu9]

Those rusts does't look good...

Need to use stainless steel ones.

[mbreslin]

I tried a million places in my case I needed 6/32 1-1/4in in black. Ended up going with mcmasters. Expensive but they worked.

Two people stated above but I will add because you can never be reminded too much:

IT IS NOT HARD TO PUNCTURE A RAD, BE CAREFUL.


I punctured a pa120.4 and ended up with an aquarium instead of a computer case.

[xguntherc]

I'll be careful.. ya I'm using the exact same size as my current ones, but an inch longer. so 2-1/2 inch M3 screws should work perfect for using 2 regular 25x120mm fans on a radiator. as the current 1-1/2 inch screws work perfect for my situation and these GT 1850's and basically all 25mm fans are around 1 inch wide..

I'll let you all know how it goes.

Thanks!

[xguntherc]

Not having luck at Lowes on M3. So 6/32 will work?

Heading to home depot now. Closest I found was 6/32 and 3 inches. I could cut to size I guess.. I'm hoping HD has a better selection

[NKrader]

Not having luck at Lowes on M3. So 6/32 will work?

NO


look in phone book.. here in washington we have fastenal they have all screws all shapes in colors etc..

somone needs to make a sticky for this as its getting old having "what screws, and where" threads all over the place..

every town has a dedicated screw shop for the most part as alot of busnesses need specialty screws. they keep em in stock most of the time or can order em.

[xguntherc]

I found ace hardware. Might head there now..

So 6/32 will strip the Rad. That's no good. Ill look up what u said and try ace.. thanks for nocking the 6/32 cut to size idea out of my head.. its probably for the best.

[xguntherc]

sorry phone double posted

[xguntherc]

K there is a fastenall 3 minutes from my house. He said ALL metric they don't carry and have to order from Indiana in sets of 100. And will be 3-5 days.. he had M3x60mm like I need. But only special order.

What a joke. There is also fasteners here in town, ace, and McFadden Dale or Carr or something. Ill have To call around

[xguntherc]

Zero luck.. zero.

Best bet is fastenal special ordering m3x60mm and doing this project next week. Or going no shrouds like its been and being happy.. only problem is I'm not 100% sure 60mm will work. But pretty sure. Lol. I didn't think this would be that hard for metric screws. Lol

I really can't use 6/32.. they are very similar. Wouldn't it re-thread itself to 6/32?

Update* the guy at Fastenall said I could order what I wanted. so I ordered 15 of the M3x60mm screws and that should work perfect. it's a rare part cuz M3 is so thin and 60mm is over 2 inches long. it's a long skinny screw that would break easy or something. They will be here on Monday so I'll have to do my project on next week's days off. Plus I ordered another eVGA GTX 480 today from newegg so looks like I'll have that coming in also. :)

[malkiewicz]

Found a new source with M3 & M4 screws... All sizes

---------LINK---------- (http://www.fastener-warehouse.com/index.cfm/category/1495/m3-05.cfm)

[xguntherc]

Thanks for the link.. I actually am going to be able to pick up my M3 60mm screws from Fastenall tomorrow. I ordered 15 but only need 12. so I should be good to go. It sucks I had to wait but oh well.

I'll be adding my block to loop tomorrow and doing some leak testing. then when I get the call to get my screws I'll finish the setup and start enjoying it.

[ScottALot]

Is there somewhere for M4 screws?

[johnnymossville]

home depot has m4 screws in a few different lengths. I got mine there.

[malkiewicz]

Click here for M4 screws ------------> LINK (http://www.fastener-warehouse.com/index.cfm/category/1496/m4-07.cfm)

.


Is there somewhere for M4 screws?