Threaded Inserts

I have had a kit for years, but I forget the brand.

At McMaster Carr they have a nice selection.

If I was going to buy a new set up here is what I would get

This kit 95105A400 Includes 12 each 8-32, 10-24, and 10-32 nuts, and 14 each 1/4"-20 nuts. Also includes three nosepieces, four mandrels, and a plier-style installation tool. Furnished in a plastic case.

That will set you up with the tool and the steel riv nuts. Add to that 1 package each of aluminum riv nuts in 8-32, 10-24, 10-32 and 1/4-20

I would also keep in my kit 2 of each of the drill bits for each size. I suggest having two of each because sometimes they get lost, dull or broken and making a trip to the hardware store or back to the shop with a panic bar or closer half installed and with gas at $3 a gallon, one use would pay for the extra bits.

I would not bother with the 6-32 or larger than 1/4-20. I have the 6-32 and the few times I have used it I could have just as easily used the 8-32.

Curtis Lock (now Barnes?) used to have inserts. I also got a set at Harbor Fright, which has served me well for years. They have aluminum nut rivets. I don't use threaded inserts very often, but those have worked.

Their 1/4-20 inserts require a whisker larger than 3/8 hole, so I wobble the bit around to enlarge the 3/8 hole.

securitron makes some in different sizes and tools also you can do a search on Molly Jacknut. used them before as well but the securitron ones are of higher quality. (Securitron Access Control Installation Tool Kit)

good luck Roger

I don't know about the tool that HF might have, but their riv-nuts are sub par. The wall thickness is thicker than the good ones, and I found the thread quality to be lousy also.

Unless things have changed, buying fasteners from Curtis tends to empty ones wallet rather quickly IIRC they tend to be priced about 3 or 4 times as much as McMaster.

We'll follow the leads. Thanks guys!

goma.

Actually, that is good for the seller also.

I ordered a 100 piece security bit set from HF. Has worked fine so far. Also odds and ends stuff-Scratch Awls, pocket rulers, Break-off knives, dead blow hammer, etc. But for serious heavy fastening, especially institutional, I would shy away. My 2.

goma.

HF stuff is usually fine for moderate use. For example a floor stapler. Worked fine for the 1000SF or so of hardwood I've done with it at 1/3 the price of the better made ones but if I was going to do 10,000 SF I'd be tempted to buy the better one. Be a little more leery of complex machines or items that have to work with precision since it's harder to produce those things at good quality for such a low cost. Example: $100 Miter saw which worked fine for aforementioned hardwood floor but is starting to really show the wear after 2 years or so a lot more than the $500 Dewalt I have does.

assuming you want to 'pop rivet' the threads into sheetmetal, google for 'nutserts' (both under their 'web' search and their 'images' search).

if you want metal threads in wood, I forget the name of the things, but know they exist (and have some). they're probably made by more than one maker, too. try googling "metal threads in wood"

hth

toolie

Stormin, late and busy seems to be the word lately. No prob-I was looking for the pop-rivet type, not ones for wood. Might get one for a back-up Thanks, goma.