New build on the way, question about thumbscrews

[LanFear]

I'm getting ready to build a new rig, and want to mount the motherboard with thumbscrews if possible. If it is possible, what size do the thumbscrews need to be. Antec P180 case, standard motherboard standoffs i believe.

 

[Skeeedunt]

I vaguely remember something that makes this sound like a bad idea. Something about screws that are too big making contact with other parts of the PCB? Hopefully someone else can confirm or deny this.

 

[corkyg]

Yes - that is a possibility. Thumbscrews have to be taller and wider in order to work as such - and that is not a good idea. Mobos are not something you remover everyday - use the ones that come with your case. That's the best way.

 

[Auric]

Some cases come with brass stand-offs that are effectively narrow thumb screws. The main problem would not really be the width as the commonly used screw head which does not exceed the maximum safe margin around the mounting holes is plenty wide to translate to a thumb screw but rather given the height needed to provide grip they may interfere with attached components in some places. Perhaps go to a fastener supply shoppe with samples for the thread and see what the lowest profile available is that you can still grip. I'm thinking the horizontally flattened head type may be an option (rather than cylindrical) but again, it comes down to clearance. Perhaps plastic would be an option to preclude any short regardless of size.

 

[corkyg]

Auric brings up a good point. There are nylon thumbscrews sold in bags that are threaded to fit most all ofthe commong computer screw threads. They would be completely non-conductive and serve your purpose.

Screws

The black ones are nylon thumbscrews - different threads. The whit ones are "squeeze and release" nylon holders. Then there are two brass stand offs and one chrome plated steel one.

 

[Zepper]

The depth of the holes in brass or steel standoffs are usually not deep enough for t-screws unless you have some with short thread-length. If your mobo uses the spring-metal standoffs or the stamped-into the mobo pan ones then there should be no problem. The necks of most t-screws (the part that would contact the mobo) these days are small enough to fit within the metal lands around the true mounting holes.

Also there are two thread sizes commonly used in standoffs. The most common is 6-32, with the other being M3 (same thread as optical drive mounting screws). M3 t-screws are used in Lian Li and some other cases. Not as easy to find and often more expensive.

But as others have said, use the proper mobo mounting screws that came with your case. Only use t-screws where you'll be using them frequently.

.bh.

 

[LanFear]

thanks for the info guys, i guess i'll just stick with the standard mb screws, saw some pics of a build with metal thumbs and it looked really cool, was just thinking of trying something a little different this time around.

Lan