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NEC TG-16/TE/TurboDuo => TG-16/TE/TurboDuo Discussion => Topic started by: korpse413 on October 11, 2017, 02:38:38 PM

Title: PC-E Duo 'screw' spec list
Post by: korpse413 on October 11, 2017, 02:38:38 PM
Hi, there.  Also posted this on another forum, but I figure this is the place to ask:

Kind of embarassed on this one but here it goes:

Could someone share the screw sizes for a PC-Engine Duo? I may have misplaced some screws for the console.. I have a pile of screws the are from all sorts of projects and I want to avoid stripping something. I imagine these are machine screws if I had to bite the bullet and outsource my own from a store? Not sure if Japan followed a different standard and if the threads were crazy different / impossible to match up with stuff in 2017

EDIT: Realize I posted this in T16/TE/TurboDuo Discussion thread... hopefully the screw pinout is same?  Or perhaps mod can help move this to correct location? 'Apologies  :P
Title: Re: PC-E Duo 'screw' spec list
Post by: Keith Courage on October 11, 2017, 02:46:23 PM
The bit need for a US DUO,Turbo grafx, core grafx, and pc engine is a 4.5mm security bit. A Japanese PC engine DUO, DUO-R/RX, and super CD-rom 2 drives use a t10 torx bit.

I've used size #4 3/4 inch in length wood screws to replace any of them with great results. They are slightly longer then the original but this is good for any that have stripped out holes.
Title: Re: PC-E Duo 'screw' spec list
Post by: korpse413 on October 11, 2017, 03:18:30 PM
The bit need for a US DUO,Turbo grafx, core grafx, and pc engine is a 4.5mm security bit. A Japanese PC engine DUO, DUO-R/RX, and super CD-rom 2 drives use a t10 torx bit.

I've used size #4 3/4 inch in length wood screws to replace any of them with great results. They are slightly longer then the original but this is good for any that have stripped out holes.

Thank you KC! 

When you say #4 3/4 inch these are for the the (5?) outside case screws, right? 

While we are at it, any idea about the 2x cartridge / shield screws and the main pcb / power supply pcb (7? in total) screws?

Title: Re: PC-E Duo 'screw' spec list
Post by: mickcris on October 11, 2017, 05:39:22 PM
original outside case screws are self tapping M3 12mm long. here are some replacements but have phillips head instead of original head

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100Pcs-M3-M3-5-M4-Phillips-Round-Head-Screw-Self-Tapping-Horizontal-Tail-Black-/262662279892

inside screws:
cartridge slot are also self tapping M3 12mm
pcb screws are self tapping M3 10mm

Link above is not the cheapest.  Just the 1st I found.  Make sure they have a flat tail.  Also called cut tail or horizontal tail.
Title: Re: PC-E Duo 'screw' spec list
Post by: ClodBuster on October 11, 2017, 08:11:32 PM
My US Duo, since it was pre-modded, didn't came with its original screws. The previous owner used some generic 3mm and 4mm self tapping screws for plastic with Philipps drive, similar to those mickris posted. Some of them weren't the correct length and size.

I eventually replaced them with Japanese JIS drive 3mm and 4mm self tapping screws. I had those left over from my Tamiya R/C car spares. They fit perfectly.

What I would not use:
- Wood screws. With their extra wide thread and the pointed end, they aren't suited well for plastics.
- Machine screws ("M" screws). Their threads are to narrow, which results in an overly tight fit, thus cracking plastics over time. They should only be used when screwing into metal threads. IF you want to screw them into plastic (e.g. when you encounter stripped threads), pre-tap the plastics using a manual tap. This works better on reinforced strong plastic (e.g. glass fiber reinforced), but not well on regular plastics (e.g. ABS, Polycarbonate, Polystyrene, etc.).
- Self tapping screws for metal sheets, due to their pointy ends.

What I would use:
- Philipps drive self tapping screws for plastic (those that Mickris posted)
- JIS drive self tapping screws for plastic
- Any other kind of drive self tappers for plastic

Some sellers falsely advertise their 3mm self tappers as "M3" screws, while the "M" designation should only be used for ISO metric machine screws exclusively. Please see also this for more information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_metric_screw_thread


Pro-tip: To avoid cross-threading a screw into existing plastic threads, and to avoid stripping threads:
1. Insert the screw.
2. Turn the screw counter-clockwise, until the end of the screw falls into the existing thread. You can feel this and/or hear a clicking sound.
3. Turn the screw clockwise until the head is snug with the plastic surface.
4. Stop immediately as soon as you feel resistance! There's no need to overtorque the screw.
Title: Re: PC-E Duo 'screw' spec list
Post by: mickcris on October 11, 2017, 10:09:14 PM
yeah, that's true about the M in front of the size in MM for these.  I clarified and put self tapping before it above in case someone doesn't click on the link to see what they were.  Most, if not all, on ebay are listed that way though.
Title: Re: PC-E Duo 'screw' spec list
Post by: korpse413 on October 14, 2017, 12:14:33 PM
Thank you guys so much...  Mission complete!!  My local hw store actually had screws with similar thread count M screws.

Here's to avoiding losing screws from now on!  `Cheers
Title: Re: PC-E Duo 'screw' spec list
Post by: ClodBuster on October 16, 2017, 07:20:09 PM
Glad you got your Duo back together, thanks for letting us know.
Title: Re: PC-E Duo 'screw' spec list
Post by: xelement5x on October 17, 2017, 05:27:04 AM
Replacement regular screws are nice, I have the stock ones out of my Virtual Boy and use regular ones now instead. 
Title: Re: PC-E Duo 'screw' spec list
Post by: blueraven on October 17, 2017, 08:46:23 AM
Thanks Keith and MickCris.. This info helped me out the last go-round so just seconding all of your reccomendations :D