Date:         Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:26:19 -0700
Reply-To:     Daniel Rotblatt <d.rotblatt@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Daniel Rotblatt <d.rotblatt@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Fluorescent light switch fix
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

Just a quick fix I did today - thought I'd pass it on.  The
fluorescent light in my '85 westy weekender was missing the nut that
held the switch on (screws on the threads around the button), so if
you tried to press the switch it just pushed inside the light - but
the switch worked.

I tried a 5/16-24 thread nut (fine tooth SAE)...close, but it wasn't
right.  Pulled out the old tap and die set and found it was a 27 tpi
thread (probably a metric that was close to 27 tpi).  Looked around
in the tap and die and the only 27 tpi I saw was a 1/8" NPT pipe
thread tap.  Looked really close so I drilled out the 5/16" nut with
a 11/32" drill and tapped it with the NPT tap.  It was just right.
Rounded the end on the belt sander and gave it a quick polish and it
fit perfectly!

Dan
L.A., CA
'85 Westy Weekender