Rivet Nuts

[RoyKing]

Planning on using some stainless 3/8x16 rivet nuts to hang some skid plates under my Kubota M7060. From my research the two handle pop rivet like guns, fail when using the larger sizes, mandrels break and rivets get crushed unevenly. I found some simple wrench driven setter that looks like it will keep the rivet square.
Anybody experienced with them in the larger size

 

[ruffdog]

Those actually work pretty good as they force the pull to be perpendicular to the surface. The large pop rivet type guns sometimes are out of position because they are big and the person doesn't hold them square.

 

[PILOON]

Hey, U can simply use an appropriate bolt/nut combination and while holding the nut pull up the insert with a proper wrench.

 

[crazyal]

How big are you planning on doing? I do 1/4-20 rivnuts all the time with my smaller gun. The problem is people who have no clue who think they must squeeze like a gorilla and put too much stress and while doing that fail to keep the gun at the correct angle. Tht tool you've pictured will work but it's quite a bit slower. If you're only doing a half dozen or so then no big deal. So IMO it's not the tool but the operators who fail and then blame the tool that's the problem.

 

[WranglerX]

Want a little speed but not to over stress things.... Use you 1/4 (hex) impact driver with appropriate adapter and socket..... Just go lightly...

After noticing on a lot of car/custom tv shows guy using 1/4 inch impact screw drivers I dug mine out and got a set of Harbor Freight socket adapter and life has been good for "light" work...

Hex Shank Socket Driver Set, 3 Pc.

Dale

 

[RoyKing]

I plan on using my impact driver with deep wall socket that way I can push downward while the setters nut moves up into the socket and box wrench on the lower section.

Does anybody have favorite brand of stainless rivnuts, and why

 

[davedj1]

I'm not sure I would use stainless but that's just me.
McMaster Carr is my go to place, close enough that if I order Sunday evening I have it noon Tuesday.
I just make my own "tool" out of a nut and bolt and have never had an issue.

 

[TractorGuy]

I tried setting some small 10-32 aluminum rivnuts by screwing down on them with a flat washer and it just spun.

My backhoe had some missing and it had hex shaped holes in the boom. I found the correct 8mm steel rivnuts with a hex base to hold it. Had no problem compressing those with a bolt and washer.

 

[stingray1]

I’ve used a lot of the 8mm at work and never had a problem.

 

[PILOON]

I've used Rivnuts often in aircraft.
Not familiar with current applications but can attest they work real good.
But I still have all my Rivnut tools!
LOL, but I have used all my 'nuts' so need to surf the 'net to get more.
Looking to the 'net to re supply!

 

[Dataway]

I've set up to 3/8" by hand tool. Like others have said, the object is not to totally crush them. Once the crush collar is flat ... it's done ... but it can be hard to keep the tool straight while compressing the larger sizes. I haven't done 3/8" SS, depending on the alloy that could be difficult I imagine. If it's an area where it's likely to see corrosion you might want to use some kind of thread locker, or bearing locker on the outside of the rivet nut before you insert it, just some insurance that it won't spin the future. Or even put on a couple of tack welds.
Someday I'd like to find a hex broaching tool and try using some hex rivet nuts, no chance they will ever spin in the hole.

 

[hosspuller]

It's not hard to set a 3/8 riv-nut with a high grade 3/8 bolt, a 3/8 nut, a washer, some oil and two wrenches. Use oil on the bolt threads to make it easier to turn the nut.

 

[hosspuller]

Hey, U can simply use an appropriate bolt/nut combination and while holding the nut pull up the insert with a proper wrench.

Works better to hold the bolt and turn the nut on a washer. Doesn't work the riv-nut threads.

 

[CoyPatton]

Works better to hold the bolt and turn the nut on a washer. Doesn't work the riv-nut threads.

This also reduces the likelihood of spinning the riv-nut as it seats. You are only turning the nut not the bolt.
Big down side, even if you can get a ratchet wrench in the nut, it is a slow process. Not too big a deal, if just doing a few! But if doing it for 30 mins or all day, it is tiring!

 

[k0ua]

Well, I learned about rivnuts today... Thanks guys!.

 

[shaeff]

I've loved the idea of rivnuts for quite a while, only just ordered a 1/4-20 rivnut tool and a box of 100 steel rivnuts two weeks ago from Amazon. I've got a small project in mind for them instead of my usual go-to which is welding a nut on the backside of something to screw into.

Now that I have it in my hands (it's identical to the OP's pic) I'd probably just make my own. That said, I'll eventually end up with the large rivnut gun. For as often as I'm planning to use it, the gun style would last me forever.

 

[RoyKing]

Rivet Nut Fasteners & Installation Tooling | Sherex Fastening Solutions
is a manufacturer and zoro.com best prices.

 

[Garauld]

I have inserted a bunch lately including 3/8" rivnuts, all steel. My procedure is a bit different: 1 -drill the hole for the rivnut a bit smaller than the smooth rivnut body (assuming you do not have the proper odd-sized drill bit), 2 -use a dremel with a fine carbide burr to open the hole up a tad so the smooth body is a light interference fit, 3 tap the rivnut into the hole, 4 - get a grade 8 bolt for the rivnut you are using and grease the threads, 5 - place onto the bolt a grade 8 nut or two (same size as the bolt), a couple of washers and finally a nut that just slides over the bolt threads, 6 - thread this assembly into the rivnut you inserted, 7 - while holding the big nut with a socket wrench tighten down the smaller nut(s) with another socket wrench while keeping everything square to the base plate. Do not overtighten! After doing 1 or two they go quick. :thumbsup: