Rivet Nut Tools (1 Viewer)

[PAToyota]

After "making do" with some cheaper alternatives, I picked up this pair - Astro Pneumatic's 1443B (the small one) and 1452 (the large one).

The mandrels swap between the two, but you only want to use the smaller mandrels with the 1443B (M4 and 1/4" and under). You can probably get away with some light use of larger ones, but you're liable to mess it up if you aren't careful. However, using the smaller mandrels on the 1452 gives you more leverage and reach if needed.

Between the two of them, they come with M4, M5, M6 (1443B), M8, M10, & M12 (1452) metric and 8-32, 10-24, 1/4-20 (1443B), 5/16-18, 3/8-16, & 1/2-13 (1452) SAE. I've got a 10-32 mandrel set on order just because that seems to be a size I use a number of fasteners. I haven't confirmed it yet, but mandrels from some other manufacturers look to be the same and offer M3 mandrels.

Both are quality tools and make installing rivnuts a breeze. I really wish I did this sooner.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Are you installing aluminum or steel nutserts?

 

[PAToyota]

I've mostly been using steel, but picked up some aluminum ones as well.

 

[gregnash]

Good to know.. Been looking at doing this as I have a cheapo HF one that is only SAE. Been looking at grabbing a metric on but would be nice to have it comes with both Metric and SAE mandrels. Was this a kit you purchased for both, or did you do both separately?

Mainly started as wanting an M8 rivnut installer so that I could tighten down my bent license plates. Just never gotten around to actually handling it.

 

[PAToyota]

Picked them up off of Amazon:

• Small One: Amazon product ASIN B01JBJU56O
• Large One: Amazon product ASIN B01JBNANEE

Note that they come with a limited number of rivnuts - three each size for the small one and a few more of each for the large one. The large one comes with a case. I'm going to have to put something together for the small one to keep all the parts together.

A friend has one off one of the tool trucks. Takes tools to change the mandrels and one size for everything, which makes it bulky for trying to set the smaller ones and a real struggle to set the larger ones. He's drooling over my set now.

 

[gregnash]

Yeah at this point I just need to install some more M6 in the rear tailgate to keep my plate from flopping around (damn things bent in the mail). Outside of that I have no other need for the tool at this point.
Did find some DIY setups on YouTube that I tested out and worked well, so will likely just do that.

 

[PAToyota]

The pair of them is likely overkill. I've used the larger one a couple times, but doubt I'll be reaching for it often.

 

[GeoRoss]

The pair of them is likely overkill. I've used the larger one a couple times, but doubt I'll be reaching for it often.

Thanks for this.

 

[PAToyota]

The 1452 starts at M8 & 5/16". At that size and above, you're not really able to use the structural capacity of bolt - you're probably going to start bending the sheet that you're putting the rivet into. But I've put in some M8-M10 or 5/16"-3/8" sizes for mounting off-road style lights due to the size of the threaded mounting shaft. The light doesn't need structural support the same way a spring hanger or such would require, so mounting that size rivnut in a panel isn't a concern - but you also couldn't effectively mount the light with a smaller rivnut. Also, you can mount the rivnuts into square tube, which is more structural than a flat sheet.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I've had the 1457 for a few years. I enjoy using it, always works exactly as you'd expect. I need to pick up a 1443B to get into tighter spaces.

 

[gregnash]

I ended up making my own DIY rivnut tool and used it over the weekend. Worked perfect and cost me all of about $4. Plenty of YouTube videos but basic premise is that having a long bolt that is the thread pitch you are utilizing. Have a coupler nut and washers that is slightly larger, large enough to slide over the threads of the bolt you are using, then a couple of washers and an impact gun for the bolt head and wrench to fit the coupler.

Basic setup is washer over the threads up to the bolt head, then coupler, then washer and then thread on the rivnut until everything is just about snug. Install setup into hole you wish the rivnut to be inserted in. Grip the coupler with the appropriate sized wrench, then put the impact and socket on the end, hold everything flush and slowly go at it with the impact ensuring the coupler isn't moving/spinning and that the rivnut is staying flat. Smaller stuff you can use a ratchet instead of the impact but impact makes things much faster. Pull trigger and go a little bit, test to see how the crush is going, and whalla you are done in no time.