screws for replacement upvc handles spinning

[opps]

A friend replaced the locking handles on her uPVC windows. The female threads are effed. I tried to bodge some PTFE around the machine screws, it made no difference. She has been unemployed for a year. I am looking at lowest cost solutions until she starts her new job. Would Locktite work in the short term?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Is it a machine screw or ordinary screw? A slightly bigger screw would work. So if it was a 5mm machine screw then you would ideally tap a new 6mm thread in the old hole and use a 6mm screw. You can get cheap tap & die sets off ebay which will be poor quality but fine and handy to have for once in a blue moon jobs like this. I doubt loctite would work but might be worth a try.

 

[opps]

Thanks, I was considering taping a new thread. But was worried that the screw head size might be too big for the fitting.

 

[RandomGrinch]

I know you mention cost, but a window gearbox is only around £10, I would replace it...

Window Gearboxes

If you need help measuring your window gearbox please click here or goto our measuring guide blog post below

www.upvc-store.co.uk

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Thanks, I was considering taping a new thread. But was worried that the screw head size might be too big for the fitting.

You may need to drill that out bigger.

 

[opps]

I know you mention cost, but a window gearbox is only around £10, I would replace it...

Window Gearboxes

If you need help measuring your window gearbox please click here or goto our measuring guide blog post below

www.upvc-store.co.uk

Cheers mate, I only glanced at the 600mm tall (?) side opening window. It has the hooked mechanism and I suspect that it has additional locking points, but I didn't pay much attention.

 

[RandomGrinch]

Cheers mate, I only glanced at the 600mm tall (?) side opening window. It has the hooked mechanism and I suspect that it has additional locking points, but I didn't pay much attention.

It's probably worth having a look, even if you don't go down that path.
It does depend on how many windows are affected though.

 

[crank39]

What I've done in the past is used general purpose self drilling screws widely used in the uPVC game and drilled straight through the threaded insert in the mechanism to make a new thread