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Works great! was -> Another woodworker question - threaded insert advice?
quarterback:
Hey all,
I've been contemplating the use of threaded inserts to put together a cab that could be completely broken down without any bolts or anything sticking out of it. For a while I had thought about a cam-lock system, but it seems like it could be difficult to get everything lined up 100%, and even if you did, you'd have those 'bolts' sticking up out of the panels when you took it apart, and those are just waiting to get snapped off.
So, somebody mentions threaded inserts and now I'm thinking that's a better idea. You could use simple L-brackets in all of the corners and bolt everything together (I'm picturing two L-brackets per corner of each panel, so 8 L-brackets per square piece)
Question1: steel versus brass? The brass seem to be a little cheaper and maybe even more readily available. Any preference for MDF? What about for plywood?
Question2: Do you really need a jig or a special tool to install threaded inserts? There are some claims that it's difficult to get them to go in straight. Any real life experience on this? Rockler sells a special tool to install them and this page suggests a home made jig.
Question3: How small is too small? I look at 6-32 and they look tiny to me. But because of the way everything would be attached (each corner having 3 L-bracket with no "straight out" pulling action) I feel like it'd be overkill to go with 12-24 or 1/4-20. Would 10-32 work?
Any other thoughts on this?
DrewKaree:
--- Quote from: quarterback on December 12, 2005, 07:41:08 pm ---
Question1: steel versus brass? The brass seem to be a little cheaper and maybe even more readily available. Any preference for MDF? What about for plywood?
--- End quote ---
The brass would be a softer material, but that probably won't come into play. I'd still stick with steel though. I'd hate to try 'em in MDF, but I've used 'em in plywood now, and they seem reasonably sturdy. I'd be hesitant to use 'em for this application though. They seem like they're intended for smaller parts, not something like this.
--- Quote ---
Question2: Do you really need a jig or a special tool to install threaded inserts? There are some claims that it's difficult to get them to go in straight. Any real life experience on this? Rockler sells a special tool to install them and this page suggests a home made jig.
--- End quote ---
I used my drill press. I'd say if you don't have a drill press, get the thing from Rockler to install 'em. I tried the first one by hand just to see, and you CAN "eyeball" 'em, but if you don't have it in straight, nothing else will line up right either, so putting them in perfectly straight is of the utmost importance. With a drill press, it's as easy as drilling a hole once you have it set up.
--- Quote ---
Question3: How small is too small? I look at 6-32 and they look tiny to me. But because of the way everything would be attached (each corner having 3 L-bracket with no "straight out" pulling action) I feel like it'd be overkill to go with 12-24 or 1/4-20. Would 10-32 work?
--- End quote ---
Not sure on this. I'd recommend picking up one of each size and testing it out if you wanna get an idea for yourself. You may think they're just fine for what you're wanting to use 'em for, but I'm thinking you might think they're a little "underpowered" too. I dunno, just my opinion
KrawDaddy:
Hey
I used them in my Goldmine project.
quarterback:
--- Quote from: DrewKaree on December 12, 2005, 08:56:27 pm --- I'd hate to try 'em in MDF, but I've used 'em in plywood now, and they seem reasonably sturdy.
--- End quote ---
I've found some references to them being used in MDF, but yeah, I'm more inclined to try them in something sturdier.
--- Quote ---I'd be hesitant to use 'em for this application though. They seem like they're intended for smaller parts, not something like this.
--- End quote ---
Yeah, but the way I'm picturing it, I feel like they should work.... hmmm...
--- Quote --- I'd say if you don't have a drill press, get the thing from Rockler to install 'em. I tried the first one by hand just to see, and you CAN "eyeball" 'em, but if you don't have it in straight, nothing else will line up right either, so putting them in perfectly straight is of the utmost importance. With a drill press, it's as easy as drilling a hole once you have it set up.
--- End quote ---
Good to know. Since I'd be using them to attach brackets (and not using them to directly attach two panels of wood to each other) I feel like I wouldn't be completely screwed if I was a little "off", but I'd rather get the right tool for the job instead of struggling with it.
I keep thinking about buying one of those $39.99 drill presses that I see at Harbor Freight. Maybe I'll do that since I've been wanting one for a while anyway, just for occasional work where a perpendicular hole is key.
--- Quote from: KrawDaddy on December 13, 2005, 12:14:42 am ---I used them in my Goldmine project. My opinion - not the solution - use a good quality t-nut for assembling your sides. Simple and effective.
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But my goal would be to not have anything (bolt heads, etc) showing on the outside and if I put in T-nuts the correct way (as opposed to the way I used them when I first tried them) then the bold goes all the way through the wood.
Were the inserts just too much of a PITA? Or did they not work right? I'll go find your project thread and see if there's any more info in there.
Thanks y'all
mccoy178:
That's it.