Case stand-offs

[Shrek]

I have a prebuilt in a CoolerMaster case but found that on trying to remove the motherboard the standoffs would undo before the motherboard screws, so was wondering if this method was common.

 

[freeagent]

You could try teflon tape or loc tite.

 

[qxp]

Just in case you did not know, there are different grades of loctite (or threadlocker) designed to require different amount of force to remove. Because it is really a form or organic glue it can also be loosened by heating with a heat gun, so if you don't have a frequent need to reposition standoffs use stronger threadlocker.

 

[eidairaman1]

I have a prebuilt in a CoolerMaster case but found that on trying to remove the motherboard the standoffs would undo before the motherboard screws, so was wondering if this method was common.

Torque them properly

You could try teflon tape or loc tite.

Some of them are used as a bonding plane

 

[qxp]

Torque them properly

Interesting ! If you torque the standoffs more than screws going into them it would work. But then you need a torque screwdriver which is not cheap. One way to get around this is to use a small ratchet with 1/4" hex bit and turn the ratchet with a cheap spring dynamometer (or force gauge) like this one:

Amazon.com

Then you torque is just the force you read on the force gauge multiplied by length of your ratchet. There is probably information online from manufacturers on how much you want to torque standoffs and, especially, bolts so they don't break the PCB.

Some of them are used as a bonding plane

Very good point - there is typically a corner of the motherboard where you can see bright solder finish that is connected to motherboard ground plane. You don't want to threadlock that one.

 

[freeagent]

But then you need a torque screwdriver which is not cheap.

What? No..

Just grab the standoff tool that came with your case, or a pair of plyers and turn till it stops.

No need to He-Man anything..

 

[eidairaman1]

What? No..

Just grab the standoff tool that came with your case, or a pair of plyers and turn till it stops.

No need to He-Man anything..

I just do gutentight (like a german woman), with calibrated fingers, hands, on the mobos i snug the screws so the pcb doesn't get cracked

 

[Shrek]

I ended up tightening the standoffs and putting a little silicone oil on the screws; so far, so good, but I would have preferred not to have to go through all this.

I have some blue Loctite, but didn't use it.

 

[eidairaman1]

I ended up tightening the standoffs and putting a little silicone oil on the screws; so far, so good, but I would have preferred not to have to go through all this.

I have some blue Loctite, but didn't use it.

Well you see not doing it right the first time resulted in you doing it twice.

 

[Shrek]

It was a pre-built CyberPower unit with a CoolerMaster case, so I had to fix their work.

 

[Space Lynx]

I ended up tightening the standoffs and putting a little silicone oil on the screws; so far, so good, but I would have preferred not to have to go through all this.

I have some blue Loctite, but didn't use it.

I have had similar issues with builds, a motherboard stand off is still attached to one of my older motherboard's, lmao. It's the most annoying part of building. My current rig needs like 2 more standoffs for the mobo, but I was like fk it I am not buying an entire new packet of standoffs for two of them. So, I just don't have a screw in the bottom right two parts of the mobo (no stress is ever put there, so eh)

 

[Shrek]

I could have left things loose, but I just wanted it done right.

In reality I question the design.

 

[eidairaman1]

I could have left things loose, but I just wanted it done right.

In reality I question the design.

Actually you question the integrity of whoever built it in the first place

 

[Space Lynx]

I could have left things loose, but I just wanted it done right.

In reality I question the design.

whenever you buy a new PC case you get loads of screws, two packets of which always look almost exactly the same. i can never figure out which one i want to use for mobo, cause both fit the hole. lmao

 

[eidairaman1]

whenever you buy a new PC case you get loads of screws, two packets of which always look almost exactly the same. i can never figure out which one i want to use for mobo, cause both fit the hole. lmao

Which ever fits tighter, also rtfm

 

[Wirko]

I have a prebuilt in a CoolerMaster case but found that on trying to remove the motherboard the standoffs would undo before the motherboard screws, so was wondering if this method was common.

If it happens, is it a problem? You're removing the motherboard anyway.

 

[Shrek]

I like things done right.

 

[A Computer Guy]

I ended up tightening the standoffs and putting a little silicone oil on the screws; so far, so good, but I would have preferred not to have to go through all this.

I have some blue Loctite, but didn't use it.

Doesn't using the silicone oil as you describe counter productive to ensuring the motherboard screw stays in place because it reduces friction of the threads?

 

[Shrek]

That was my point

• Stand-off threads dry
• Screw threads oiled

I want the stand-offs to stay in place.

 

[A Computer Guy]

That was my point

• Stand-off threads dry
• Screw threads oiled

I want the stand-offs to stay in place.

My concern with the oil is the screws might loosen or back out from vibrations from HDD's , fans, etc...
I've never had to use any oil ever for motherboard screws but I have had to swap out screws because some threads were not quite right.
Glad you got it sorted.

 

[ShrimpBrime]

My concern with the oil is the screws might loosen or back out from vibrations from HDD's , fans, etc...
I've never had to use any oil ever for motherboard screws but I have had to swap out screws because some threads were not quite right.
Glad you got it sorted.

Shouldn't need a lubricant at all.

The screw heads have gater-bite. So once it touches, snug is all you need and shouldn't back out.

 

[Shrek]

I am trying to have the stand-off threads 'win'