furnace control fell off

[Mucram]

Unhandy person here. The screws that hold the furnace control fell out of the plywood on my new 17b. Suggestions on how to get the screws to "grip" into this manufactured wood? TIA, Julie

[cpaharley2008]

Take a tooth pick, break it to match the screw length and insert in hole and then tighten the screw, carefully.

[padlin]

I was thinking Jack Nuts till I saw the "Unhandy person" label. Have any friends who are handy?

[rbryan4]

That's not plywood, but paneling. It would be nice if they backed it with something but apparently they didn't. If the toothpick trick doesn't work, try some very small plastic wall anchors - they're available in lots of places.

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[gbaglo]

Or, 3M double-sided tape.
This panel with instruments has been mounted for eight years.

[rbryan4]

Yeah, in this case the 3M tape would probably be easiest. OP says they're not handy.

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[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

If the toothpick trick doesn't work, try some very small plastic wall anchors - they're available in lots of places.

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With this thin I would forgo using the toothpick method (though it works great in solid wood), and use some sort of anchor. I have tins of them at home if anyone wants some.

[Mucram]

Thanks all. Tried the toothpick option but didn't work or I couldn't get it to work. Will try the tape idea.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Mucram

Thanks all. Tried the toothpick option but didn't work or I couldn't get it to work. Will try the tape idea.

If you go with tape, make sure it's a quality one. 3M has several kinds of mounting tape that will work. If you NEVER want it to come off, a little of their VHB tape will do the trick.

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[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Mucram

Thanks all. Tried the toothpick option but didn't work or I couldn't get it to work. Will try the tape idea.

Just so you know, almost any two sided tape will tear the oak vinyl off the panelling. Not an issue if you never change the thermostat, or use something that big. Maybe just use a small piece in the middle.

I still would prefer anchors.

[cpaharley2008]

Are we talking about the thermostat for the "furnace control"

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Just so you know, almost any two sided tape will tear the oak vinyl off the panelling. Not an issue if you never change the thermostat, or use something that big. Maybe just use a small piece in the middle.

I still would prefer anchors.

My plan, if I ever want to remove an object fasted with double sided tape was to use a flexible knife to cut through the foam core. Then I would use acetone to remove the remaining foam and adhesive. Never done it though.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

My plan, if I ever want to remove an object fasted with double sided tape was to use a flexible knife to cut through the foam core. Then I would use acetone to remove the remaining foam and adhesive. Never done it though.

Do shoot a video of the procedure, okay!

[rbryan4]

Glenn, my guess is that the acetone or whatever solvent you used to remove the foam residue would probably eat through the printed surface of the paneling too. I would use small anchors, but failing that, the tape. Good news is, the need to remove the thermostat in the future is unlikely.

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[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Mucram

Unhandy person here. The screws that hold the furnace control fell out of the plywood on my new 17b. Suggestions on how to get the screws to "grip" into this manufactured wood? TIA, Julie

I assume this is the stock mechanical furnace thermostat that fell off? If so, use the opportunity to replace with a simple, non-programmable digital like the one below. Only two wires to replace. Much better performance. You will love it.

http://www.amazon.com/LuxPro-Digital.../dp/B002SR9PHM

[gbaglo]

I do have about 12" of inch-wide 'oak' tape. Makes mishaps disappear. Learned from my Readers' Digest Home Repair book, years ago, that any patch should not be cut square or rectangular but so the sides are not parallel. Fools the eye.

[padlin]

On a few things in the trailer I used the velcro you can get as extras for Command hooks and so forth. One piece on the wall, one on the object to hang. If you decide to remove it you just pull down on the tab and it releases from the wall. Works fine although it does protrude out from the wall a tad. I've had my 2 thermometers hung this way for 3 years.

[Donna D.]

Where is the thermostat mounted in a 17'? Is there anyway to put some wood behind the wall and use longer screws? I know the thermostat in Ten Forward is mounted on the closet wall....

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by padlin

On a few things in the trailer I used the velcro you can get as extras for Command hooks and so forth. One piece on the wall, one on the object to hang. If you decide to remove it you just pull down on the tab and it releases from the wall. Works fine although it does protrude out from the wall a tad. I've had my 2 thermometers hung this way for 3 years.

We use the command hooks and tape alot. With something as light as the furnace thermostat, that would probably work.

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[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

We use the command hooks and tape alot. With something as light as the furnace thermostat, that would probably work.

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The 3M Command hooks come with a couple extra tape pads. Would be perfect. I've released several with no damage. Just read and save the instructions.