TV & Home Theater

[kcc314]

I am desperately trying to find four correct fitting M8 screws for mounting my Insignia™ 42" Class / Plasma / 720p / 600Hz /HDTV, model NS-42P650A11. 

Page 5 of the TV’s manual just says “Attach the wall-mount bracket to the back of your TV using four M8 screws (not included).”

I called Insignia customer service, they couldn't give me exact specs of the M8 (not even the length, which is okay since I measured the depth of the threading mysefl with a straw) but they gave me a tip, to buy the screw from an auto part store because of they have smaller threading at car part stores..

So I bought a set of M8 screws from an Autozone, they do not fit. 

I bought two more sets from Lowes, they too do not fit. All the M8's I bought will not turn more than 3 or 4 times.  I see the thread depth in the TV is deeper that what the screw is going in (plus I measured it)...the screw just will not keep going in.  Defect with the TV or the screws? Or am I just buying the wrong M8 screws? 

(No, the TV mount system I bought did not come with them.  And I can't return it.. from Amazon, Walker Edison 42-Inch Wood TV Console With Mount and Storage, Black by Walker Edison, http://amzn.com/B004I5BGG0 ) 

 I just want four correctly M8 fitting screws for this tv to mount it.  Where do I find these magical M8 screws??

I see there are a ton of internet stores located in the UK.  Not paying large shipping fees to have four screws shipped to Brooklyn, NY.  I've must of spent at least 4 hrs total searching the internet and wasted more time in the local stores..

Please please help me! Any tips and advice will be greatly appreciated.

[rwillen]

In case you didn't know, M8 refers to the width not the length. An M8 screw is 8MM across the width of the thread.

Best place is the smaller hardware store. I used to buy a lot of odd sized screws for personal projects and found that places like Ace, McClendons, or Coast to Coast had the widest selection of screws. Get several different lengths of M8 screws, different mounts may need different lengths.

If you can find any locally, you'll have to buy online.

[Dval]

Hi there, kcc.  Have you tried checking with your Bestbuy store to see if they may have any extras laying around?  I know that at my Home Theater counter, we have a few packets with different screw sizes.  M8s do tend to be a bit harder to find considering they make them in different lengths as well.  Think we generally have 12, 16, and 20mm lengths.  There shouldn't be a defect with the TV screw holes, but if it has been less than 30 days since the purchase, you may certainly return or exchange it.  (Assuming the TV was still purchased at BBY.)

Sold a Sony 40" about two weeks ago that used M8s but had the wrong screws with it to connect the base to the TV.  Folks came back in to talk to me as I had been helping them for the better part of two weeks and we managed to find some in our screw bin.  Sent them home happy. Hopefully your local BBY store will have some on hand that can solve your predicament.

[paintslingr]

It sounds like you have the right size screws, but the wrong threading. More than likely you picked up coarse threading instead of fine threading.

[nancyscott]

If your TV is not mounted yet then the best option I suggest you is that, now you must call any electrician and tell him your requirement he'll mount your TV less than 1hr as they already have many sizes screw along with them. They will charge you around $5 for their service but your TV get fixed easily. 

Good Luck!

[kcc314]

Thanks everyone for all the tips/advice!

Someone recommended to buy the screws from Fastenal.com.  I bought four- "M8 1.25 x 20 mm Class 8.8 Zinc Cap Screw".  They worked!!! Not sure why the same size screws from Lowes didn't work but I don't care now.  I am very happy and TV looks great!

Thanks again.