Posted 2008-08-18 11:14 AM (#89900) Subject: DIY living quarter
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 522
Location: Tucumcari NM
How do you attach furring strips to the inside of the trailer? Is there a secret for ensuring the fasteners don't work loose? I used self-tapping screws on the first living quarter, but some of the screws backed out over time. Any thoughts will be appreciated!
Posted 2008-08-20 9:46 PM (#90087 - in reply to #89900) Subject: RE: DIY living quarter
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 522
Location: Tucumcari NM
Thanks for the replies! I haul over some very remote, rough country, and the wall between the bath and the kitchen became loose. When I removed the wallboard to fix the problem I found that several of the self-tapping screws had backed out and left a corner of the wall unattached. I squirted some JB weld on the screws and re-inserted them. We'll see if that is a fix. Maybe lock washers?
Posted 2008-08-21 4:32 PM (#90137 - in reply to #89900) Subject: RE: DIY living quarter
Expert
Posts: 1391
Location: North of Detroit, MI
Lock washers only work on bolts, not screws.(Screws have pointy end, bolts have a flat end. Both can have slotted head) and bolts with lock washers require a nut on the end.
Posted 2008-08-23 11:08 AM (#90240 - in reply to #90137) Subject: RE: DIY living quarter
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 522
Location: Tucumcari NM
I had to chuckle just a mite at your reply. I do know the difference between a bolt and a screw, and yes, they do make lock washers for screws. They are mainly used in sheet metal work where a rivet would not be appropriate. I do appreciate your response.
Posted 2008-08-24 10:10 AM (#90281 - in reply to #89900) Subject: RE: DIY living quarter
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
Another alternative is the use of a "Pal Nut" "U nut". A hole is drilled where the screw will go, the Pal nut is slid into place over the edge of the metal, the screw is inserted and tightened. The screw will not rip out as it would in the original thin sheet metal, and the nut acts as a lock nut, holding the screw from backing out. They are made by "Tinnerman" and are available in common thread sizes as well as self taping screw designs.
Posted 2008-08-25 8:06 PM (#90369 - in reply to #90278) Subject: RE: DIY living quarter
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 522
Location: Tucumcari NM
Yeah, the washers go behind the head of the screw. You can use regular split lock washers, but the ones I typically use are cup shaped. with the dome against the screw.