Rivnuts

[zedhead]

Anyone had experience of rivnuts?
And what setting tools do you recommend? It seems that the usual pop rivet type gun might not be accurate or tough enough, especially for use with steel or stainless rivnuts, which I'd rather be using than the aluminium ones.
There are some really expensive setting tools available, but what about the sliding 'ramp' type ones that are cheap and simple?

 

[Robotstar5]

We've got a memfast kit at work, can't fault it, and it got some good reviews in motoring mags.

 

[Big Pete]

I've always just used a nut and bolt in the past, but I've only been doing ones and twos, so it didn't matter if it took a bit longer.

 

[Robotstar5]

I've always just used a nut and bolt in the past, but I've only been doing ones and twos, so it didn't matter if it took a bit longer.

That's OK if you have access to both side of the joint.

 

[Big Pete]

I've done them in box section without any issues.

 

[Robotstar5]

I've done them in box section without any issues.

Classic use of Rivnuts, fitting spotlight brackets to a box section bumper, no access to inside.

 

[Big Pete]

Indeed, Its probably worth noting that I use a couple of greased washers between the rivnut and the nut.

 

[norsa]

Indeed, i think maybe to elaborate on Big Petes post, they have a habit of being semi-permanent in the fact that if you get water ingress, the threads have a habbit of tightening and then of course the whole thing spins as you dont have a way of gripping the nut as it were.
Nick

 

[Big Pete]

Indeed, i think maybe to elaborate on Big Petes post, they have a habit of being semi-permanent in the fact that if you get water ingress, the threads have a habbit of tightening and then of course the whole thing spins as you dont have a way of gripping the nut as it were.
Nick

while thats true, I was actually talking about the installation process, the greased washers help prevent the rivnut from unwinding off the bolt due to friction from the nut.

 

[eil]

Indeed, i think maybe to elaborate on Big Petes post, they have a habit of being semi-permanent in the fact that if you get water ingress, the threads have a habbit of tightening and then of course the whole thing spins as you don't have a way of gripping the nut as it were.
Nick

Don't you just love it when that happens and its always in the most awkward place naturally.

 

[Shox Dr]

Hand pliers are good upto and including M6 in Steel, M4/5 in Stainless. Not tried Ali.

The trick is not to try and set them in one go, back off the setting tool so the pliers are only just open, pull them closed and then reset a little bit more, you have greater leverage that way.

After that either the big tongs or a Pneumatic setter, but they are big money, and need good access.

As for them spinning, either a blob of weld with a MIG or better still with TIG

 

[droopsnoot]

I used a couple to replace the "captive" nuts in my chassis rails that I'd had to cut out because the bolts rusted in and the nuts started spinning. I added a blob of MIG to stop it being a problem. I'm not worried about them coming undone, not least because I sold the car and it's been exported to Australia.

Only thing I didn't like is that I had to use metric ones on a 1976 Vauxhall. I borrowed my mates insertion tool, like a big pop-rivet gun.

 

[Welderpaul]

I've got one of these. £125 if i remember correctly. Pulled up some big rivnuts with them. The handles extend so you can get quite a bit of leverage on em!
Not bad money for what it is, seems to stand up well to the usual punishment.

 

[rkde]

my riv nut tool is like a pop rivet gun and while some of the SS riv nuts are hard on the hands so I generally just use the aluminium items and they are very useful

 

[Paul G]

Another vote for Memfast.

I buy the splined or ribbed ones when I can as these are less likely to spin.

Another dodge I use is that, as I normally de-bur holes, I use a badly sharpened drill (out of centre) that tends
to judder and results in a slightly jaggered counter sink that lends itself to the ribbed riv nuts.


I find that I have a gift for sharpening drills badly.

Cheers,
Paul G

 

[Cobs]

another vote for memfast

also see:

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic8631.html

 

[zedhead]

Thanks guys. I hadn't seen the wood for the trees and realised that it'd be easy to fit them like Big Pete does - it'll make sense as I'll not be fitting hundreds. Although that thread in te last post has given be an idea for a home made tool that'll not need three hands...

 

[P&H-Gas]

Another vote for Memfast, I only tend to use smaller ones and quite often into fibreglass on my kit car.

 

[@Turbo]

have you seen this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5sBzK82Wb4

 

[Shox Dr]

have you seen this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5sBzK82Wb4

Cool, although although as I said be before OK so long as you have access