Rivnuts: You should be their friend (TECH)

[Tx Firefighter]

This topic is an FAQ- "Rivnuts: You should be their friend (TECH)"

I was doing some work on my truck today with rivnuts. I've never really seen mention of them on here before so I thought I'd do a little thread on them.

What they are- A rivnut it a captured nut that you install in sheetmetal. They install from the top with no welding and are available in all screw sizes. They are a hybrid between a pop rivet and a nut. Think of them as a hollow pop rivet with threads in the middle of it. They are handy for any application where you need to thread a screw into thin sheetmetal and have it last a long time and stay tight. I used them all over airplanes. They are handy for making a grounding point to screw ground wires to also. In this application, I used them on my cab roof for cab lights. I didn't want crappy sheetmetal screws in my cab roof.

Where to get them- I mail order mine from Aircraft Spruce and Specialty. They run about a nickle each or so. Aircraft Spruce is an outstanding company to deal with. They obviously cater the the airplane guys and their customer service is above reproach.

Tools needed- A drill and bit for the hole, a 7/16 wrench and a rivnut tool. I bought my rivnut tool from Aircraft Spruce for about 16 bucks. It installs all common size rivnuts.

The tools and supplies


This is a rivnut


Comparison between a new rivnut and one that has been crimped by the installation tool. Notice the bulge beneath the head on the one that has been set. The bulge and swelling is what holds it firmly in the sheetmetal.


The installation tool is simply two inclined planes that have a threaded screw to pull them together. You screw the rivnut onto the tools screw, then as you tighten the crossbolt the sliding wedges collapse the rivnut.


Step 1, drill the hole and debur it nicely.


Step 2, drop the tool with rivnut into the hole and seat it down firmly.


Step 3, tighten the crossbolt on the tool. That sets the rivnut tight into the hole. Notice how with the crossbolt tightened, the two wedges have been drawn up onto themselves. That's the action that bulges the rivnut.


You're done, remove the tool and admire your finished product.


With a screw threaded into it.

[y5mgisi]

Pretty cool! Im trying to think of places that would be most handy to use them. I would bet you could use them alot in custom fab work!

[royo]

You can also get a smaller version of this at northern tool

[Toxic Redline]

nice to know

[3r!c84]

yupp we use them on airplanes alot

[bmchevy1979]

I have seen these before I think they would be handy to have around. I am curious what sizes they come in ?

[N2TRUX]

Another great tech article Kevin. For those that don't know, there is another brand out there called NutSert. If you can't find a Rivnut supplier, you might try NutSert.

[N2TRUX]

This topic is an FAQ- "Rivnuts: You should be their friend (TECH)"

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by bmchevy1979

I have seen these before I think they would be handy to have around. I am curious what sizes they come in ?

I keep them in 6-32, 8-32, and 10-32 but I know they go smaller than that and also up to 1/4-28.
Posted via Mobile Device

[bmchevy1979]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I keep them in 6-32, 8-32, and 10-32 but I know they go smaller than that and also up to 1/4-28.
Posted via Mobile Device

cool thanks for the reply I might just have to get a few

[hatzie]

Thanks for the excellent writeup. Nice hand tool for tight spaces.
I've used #6-32 to 1/2"-13 rivnuts for years to mount radios and other electronics on steel and fiberglass panels in transit buses.
I've always bought em in packs from McMaster Carr. They have a huge range of hardware and installation tools. Some stuff is overpriced but the hardware is usually reasonable.

[jitteryguy]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I keep them in 6-32, 8-32, and 10-32 but I know they go smaller than that and also up to 1/4-28.
Posted via Mobile Device

they go bigger, I have used up to 1/2 like Hatzie mention'd, the military use's them alot for add'n stuff to Vehicle's . at home I just a flat plate with a hole to keep the rivnut from spin'n and a nut and bolt to set em, work's good but almost need 3 hand's. at my old job I had a pnuematic setter.
they deffently handy to have !

[Houston54]

Nutserts/Rivnuts/swagenuts are great no matter what you call them. They can also be installed using a rivet gun with a threaded collar. The on eI use is from Harbor Freight. Part number is 94100

I have used them for trans tunnel mounting, door panels, speaker mounting and anywhere I can think I can use them.

I order the stainless steel versions but they take a very strong pull to seat all the way.

[Chlsnk]

I stripped the threads out on one of my hood hinge bolts this is exactly what I need to fix it.

[chevy_mike]

McMaster-Carr has a number of different styles and sizes

http://www.mcmaster.com/#rivet-nuts/=b5gfnm

[pig rig]

I was at boeing surplus a while back and seen tubs of them but didnt know how to install them next time Im there I'll look for a tool

[BigBlocksRule]

Wow, never heard of 'em. Had plenty of opportunities to use something like these, I'll pick some up...then promptly lose 'em in my shop.
Thanks for the tip/info!

[pockets]

Originally Posted by 3r!c84

yupp we use them on airplanes alot

I was going to say the same thing

We didn't use them for structural stuff, but they worked great for interior panels and such.