T-Nut Inserting Tool

[NickC]

Just learned of this (may be old news for some of ya'll) and think it's a very cool tool.

I've had T-nuts fall off the face of speaker baffle-boards, when inserting the bolts, after the grill-cloth was installed. PITA. This T-nut inserting tool will prevent that:

http://www.rockler.com/riveting-t-nuts- ... Mgody28Arw

[Structo]

Looks like a great tool and not too expensive either.

I would be curious if you don't do it right, if the rolled over area might prevent the screw from going in.

[NickC]

Looks like a great tool and not too expensive either.

I would be curious if you don't do it right, if the rolled over area might prevent the screw from going in.

It looks like the tool would prevent roll over, otherwise it would be difficult (or impossible) to unscrew and remove it.

I'd be more worried about cross-threading the T-nut. Probably best to screw it in by hand and then chuck it into the drill. Even better, don't use a drill at all. Use a ratchet driver instead.

I'm going to order some and try them.

[Leo_Gnardo]

There's a tool for this? Heck, all I ever did was put a dab of glue - Franklin TiteBond or even just white Elmer's - on the back of the Tnut & tighten it down first to seat it in place. Of course let the glue dry before mounting the speaker or whatever.

[rp]

Parts Express has a good selection of T-Nuts. I've had good luck with the Hurricane type. Otherwise I'd go for the 6 prong ones that I've yet to try. The Hurricane's are good if you have little space btwn the cut out for the speaker and the hole for the t-nut. They hold well in good nordic birch ply but any of these will strip out or fall out of crappy 4 ply. And there's more chance of them pulling out if you hammer them in than if you pull them in with washer and a bolt. I just use the hammer for a final tap. You can crush and warp them pulling them in so don't over to it.

http://www.parts-express.com/cat/nuts-t-nuts/313

[NickC]

Those Hurricane T-nuts look fantastic! I was unaware of them. Thanks rp!

[rp]

Those Hurricane T-nuts look fantastic! I was unaware of them. Thanks rp!

Just be careful to drill straight and clean w/ them. Keep some pronged ones on hand in case you have some tear out or hit a void.

[Structo]

The few times I made a baffle I wasn't too careful with speaker cutout.

In order to use T nuts, the hole should be small enough to allow the backside of the T nut to be surrounded by wood or else it doesn't work very good.