Thread: Problems with insert nuts

What about tapping a hole with a metal thread tapper firkst?


Al

Tap first ... It's a wierd thread al and I haven't seen a tap to suit

To get out of gaol screw the bolt into the center , full thread with a lock nut , tighten lock nut to the face of the insert nut and use this as the driver .

The trouble with life is there's no background music.



Russell

Slavo, in a situation where its hardwood I usually tap the thread that I want straight into the timber. You'd be surprised how well it works.

I don't think the tapping a thread idea would work either, it's a really course thread.

Make sure ya allen key is the correct size, if it is, and there's still trouble in paradise, drill ya hole 1/2 mm bigger.

Failing that, Ashore's idea sounds Ok, only trouble may be breaking something somewhere, stripping the thread etc, because of the extra force you can get.

I have had no success trying to use insert nuts in hardwoods. But the good news is that, as Termite says, if you tap a thread into the hardwood and forget about the insert nut, it will work very satisfactorily with threaded rod. I use this method to make the micro-adjustment mechanisms on my morticing, tenoning and box-joint jigs. It is essential, of course, that the grain orientation is appropriate; it is useless to try and tap a thread into end-grain.

Rocker

I thought about taping the thread and installing the bolt without the insert nut but the hardware is some odd measurement (10/32) plus it will be subject to a fair bit of shear force (part of a hidden drop side mechanism for a cot) so I thought I would use the supplied insert nut.

I thought about the solution that Ashore suggested but was afraid that it would strip the thread. I might give it a try and see how it goes.

Thanks guys

Sounds like some pretty average kind of insert nuts to me. Maybe cheapo pot metal?

If they don't work, find some better quality insert nuts even if it means you have to choose another bolt. If the 'heads' are stripping, I can't imagine that they will be as strong as they could be.

Oh yeah, take the drill and wiggle it around, enlarging the top of the hole, and stick some wax on the threads to help it go in. That's my last resort, before plugging the hole and tapping into the plug anyway.

Why not try a lite file or sand of the thread on a test piece.

Swish.....................


Al :eek:

Do as Ashore says with the bolt, but also treat it like a normal tap and back it out to clear the timber and then go again.

Another thing is, the tops of the inserts I have used have tapered flange on the top of the insert and this will hold the insert up so I use a countersunk bit and cut a chamfer on the top of the hole to allow for this.

Slavo
Mabye trying the thread-ins designed for concrete (Hilti should be able to help) ; theu're supposed to be much tougher than the timber variety. You could also try a
applying some soap or dry lube to the thread before threading.
Luck
HarcX

Slavo,
these type of insert nuts all seem a bit soft in there metal compound
but having said that I also know that a coarse thread is for use in softwood and a fine thread for use in hardwood. I wonder if these are indeed for use in hardwood?

Cheers Ian

Originally Posted by Slavo

Does any one know of a good method of installing insert nuts.

I purchased some hardware that required them to be screwed in, drilled the largest recommended hole and started screwing them in with the hex key. The metal is so soft that the hex key stripped the recess for it, leaving a couple 1-2mm proud of the surface and a couple 5mm proud.
I've read where people have drilled out a hole wider than the thread and secured the insert with epoxy (see attached).

Are there any other ideas on how to install these things in hardwoods?

Try all of the above, tap, lube and epoxy set, but to insert the thing try putting the actual bolt/screw (preferably a hex head) in it with a washer and locking nut snugged down and the whole lot should go in, without the allen key, then loosen the locking nut and remove to leave behind the insert.!.....
savage.

Originally Posted by savage

Try all of the above, tap, lube and epoxy set, but to insert the thing try putting the actual bolt/screw (preferably a hex head) in it with a washer and locking nut snugged down and the whole lot should go in, without the allen key, then loosen the locking nut and remove to leave behind the insert.!.....
savage.

Bloody internet echo again, again, again, again, again,.
As Ashore said 10 post previous.

Al