Rivet Nut Kit recommendations

[Desert Rat]

Looking to pick up a rivet nut tool with assorted steel rivets. Specifically, I will be using the 1/4-20 nuts. I ordered an Astro-Pneumatic kit from Amazon and they sent me a metric versus SAE, which I needed. I sent it back and now they are out of stock. That one was about $90 and no doubt made in China. I have been looking at the Marson brand but they are a bit more expensive. These are the hand rivet nut tools, not the more expensive air powered ones. I don't need a $500 tool for a handful of projects. Any recommendations on brands?

 

[Desert Rat]

Maybe this should be moved over to the Tool Shed.....

 

[cybrfire]

You talking the "nutserts"? Little tubes that have a thread inside and crimp into a panel?

If so, for a handful of projects, they can be done with another nut and a couple wrenches.

 

[rdn2blazer]

You talking the "nutserts"? Little tubes that have a thread inside and crimp into a panel?

If so, for a handful of projects, they can be done with another nut and a couple wrenches.

If this is the kind your talking about, make sure you get the type of nutsert with the keyway on it. They make them with, and without the little keyway. The type with the keyway are better because you use a special tool that creates a notch at the hole edge and the keyway ligns up with the notch to keep it from spinning. I have had the non-keyway style spin on me before and it makes it hell to get a fastener out, especially in an area where you can't get to the back side. I have a couple crimp tools and notcher tools, but not for 1/4-20. Mine are 8-32 & 10-32 stuff, aircraft typical hardware.

 

[Fordum]

I bought a kit from somewhere about 5 years ago. It was a cheap set, came with the hand tool, various inserts, and an assortment of the nuts.
It also did pop rivets.
I don't think I paid more than $30 for the whole kit.

But, I don't remember where I ordered it from, and I'm in the swamp and can't get to it to get a name.

If I remember before I get home, I'll let you know.

 

[Fordum]

OK, I'm pretty sure this is the kit I got.

http://www.harborfreight.com/45-piece-threaded-insert-riveter-kit-1210.html

The nuts were pretty cheap.

I suggest you get the cheapest kit they sell with a decent gun, and then get some nuts from someplace like this.

http://www.rivetsonline.com/rivet-nuts-and-threaded-inserts.html

Their nuts look better. Make sure you check out all the different types.

 

[4X4HIGH]

I have a couple of the Marson kits and just recently used them and they are a quality piece and I would highly recommend them. Here is where I bought mine from. http://www.blindrivetsupply.com/Marson-Steel-Klik-Thread-Sert-Kit_p_830.html

 

[olanchamedic]

Go with Marson

 

[Desert Rat]

I have a couple of the Marson kits and just recently used them and they are a quality piece and I would highly recommend them. Here is where I bought mine from. http://www.blindrivetsupply.com/Marson-Steel-Klik-Thread-Sert-Kit_p_830.html

That is the exact kit I was looking at. It doesn't notch them but you can get ribbed inserts that won't turn so much. I am using it to install a roof rack on a 4Runner that didn't come with one. I will have to drill holes in the roof, install the rivnuts/nutserts, and then install the rack.

 

[diesel4me]

You can get things called "Well Nuts" that are little rubber cork like things,that have a flange on the top of them,and a threaded brass insert in them,to put roof racks on with--they expand when tightened and hold very well,plus seal against the sheet metal so they wont let water leak in..........................................................................they need a 1/2" hole and have 1/4" or 5/16" threads if I remember right--I last used some to mount side mirrors on doors..............................................................................................Nutserts are stronger, but might let water ooze in ...Dorman sells them in blister packs of a few at a time,if you dont need many,and they can be installed with a grade 8 bolt and a nut...

 

[4X4HIGH]

You need to be careful when buying a kit as there are 2 different nutserts for different thickness materials (that's how I ended up with both kits).

 

[mr250twostroke]

You can get things called "Well Nuts" that are little rubber cork like things,that have a flange on the top of them,and a threaded brass insert in them,to put roof racks on with--they expand when tightened and hold very well,plus seal against the sheet metal so they wont let water leak in..........................................................................they need a 1/2" hole and have 1/4" or 5/16" threads if I remember right--I last used some to mount side mirrors on doors..............................................................................................Nutserts are stronger, but might let water ooze in ...Dorman sells them in blister packs of a few at a time,if you dont need many,and they can be installed with a grade 8 bolt and a nut...

This is what I used for the rack on my suburban, the rubber ones. NO leaks for years and can be bought at HD, Lowes etc...

 

[Desert Rat]

I have seen the rubber ones. I just wonder how strong they are since the purpose of putting the roof rack on is to then attach a snowboard rack that will carry four snowboards. On a 4Runner forum, several folks used the rivnuts with success but you do have to seal them with some RTV. The stock setup actually would let even more water in. When I pulled the rack off of a Pick N Pull rig, the stock setup has a hole in the sheetmetal much larger than a nutsert and the nut that holds the rack on sits down inside the roof kind of loose.