RTH. FF snorkel rivnut fail - how do I fix this?

[CharlieS]

Thanks Charlie, is the rivnut tool you have a pistol type or lever type (looks like a bolt cutter)?

Pistol type. I got it in a cheap kit from Amazon.

It is a cheap POS, but it has worked without issue.

The thing in the red box is a stop. You set the depth and use the locking collar to prevent it from moving.

Amazon product ASIN B07NVSPYNM
And just AL rivnuts:
Amazon product ASIN B07FQMXKKH

 

[KLF]

Here's an example of one with the compression scale (that yellow scale in between the arms. You look at the Rivnut specs, which will say the compression distance, set the tool to that much throw, and away you go.
Amazon product ASIN B00R1FYLWU

I have that exact tool, I just used it today to set a few. I have never been able to get that scale to do anything. I just go by feel.

 

[grinchy]

I have that exact tool, I just used it today to set a few. I have never been able to get that scale to do anything. I just go by feel.

It takes some dedication the first few times to figure out how to adjust the stroke, for sure.

 

[kcjaz]

FWIW, 9mm dia 6M rivnuts seem to be the most common. I found nothing but those on Amazon. To get 10mm dia rivnuts, the only places I found were McMaster-Carr, Bolt Depot, and Fastenal. All week plus lead time except McMaster-Carr who is next day.

9.5 mm dia rivnuts seem to be unobaiunum in the US.

 

[CharlieS]

I honestly can't imagine a 0.5 mm of difference in diameter mattering. Fer cripes sake, that's the width of the thinnest mechanical pencil lead on my desk. It is miniscule.

 

[kcjaz]

I honestly can't imagine a 0.5 mm of difference in diameter mattering. Fer cripes sake, that's the width of the thinnest mechanical pencil lead on my desk. It is miniscule.

Agree in general except I drilled a 9.5mm hole (3/8” really) and the rivnut spun and I have ground it out with a dremil. I would be afraid the 9 mm will be too lose now and that’s why I went 10mm.

 

[linuxgod]

FWIW, 9mm dia 6M rivnuts seem to be the most common. I found nothing but those on Amazon. To get 10mm dia rivnuts, the only places I found were McMaster-Carr, Bolt Depot, and Fastenal. All week plus lead time except McMaster-Carr who is next day.

9.5 mm dia rivnuts seem to be unobaiunum in the US.

9.5mm = 3/8". Well, pretty damn close anyway (0.374 vs 0.375). You sure it's metric and not SAE?

FYI bolt depot usually gets me stuff in about 3 days shipped USPS.

 

[kcjaz]

9.5mm = 3/8". Well, pretty damn close anyway (0.374 vs 0.375). You sure it's metric and not SAE?

FYI bolt depot usually gets me stuff in about 3 days shipped USPS.

FF told me they use 9, 9.5, and 10 depending on supplier. The threads are M6x1.0. Doubt it’s SAE with M6 thread.

 

[grinchy]

FF told me they use 9, 9.5, and 10 depending on supplier. The threads are M6x1.0. Doubt it’s SAE with M6 thread.

an imperial rivnut may fit? like a 5/16"? hole size nominal 0.421+ Amazon product ASIN B07DK95RSQ

 

[kcjaz]

an imperial rivnut may fit? like a 5/16"? hole size nominal 0.421+ Amazon product ASIN B07DK95RSQ

that is plan B. or is it Plan C? Its either going on with rivnuts this next weekend or It will be welded on the following weekend...

 

[grinchy]

i found a package of 5/16" that came with one of my rivnut tools, they measure 10.91 mm on the outside. The 6mm and 1/4" measure almost the same (within a few 100th of mm).

 

[kcjaz]

i found a package of 5/16" that came with one of my rivnut tools, they measure 10.91 mm on the outside. The 6mm and 1/4" measure almost the same (within a few 100th of mm).

The other thing to pay attention to is the material thickness they are designed for. Bolt Depot calls this "grip range". for M6/M8 (1/4, 5/16) they seem to come is 0.7 to 4 mm or 4 to 6 or 7 mm. The high range ones won't work here as the body metal is <4mm thick. The Amazon ones don't usually say but are probably for the thinner materials.

 

[RET2]

The old adage is close only counts in handgrenades. Improper size or wobbly drilling increases the chance for failure. No need to ask me how I know this, no, a friend didn't tell me till it was to late

 

[linuxgod]

It might be too big now but would rubber well-nuts work?

 

[crikeymike]

It might be too big now but would rubber well-nuts work?

I was just thinking the same thing. That's what I used to plug old roof rack holes once. No load on them though.

 

[linuxgod]

I was just thinking the same thing. That's what I used to plug old roof rack holes once. No load on them though.

I used them to attach the solar panels to my camper's roof. Those panels weigh ~30#, plus whatever wind load gets added while driving. They've held fine

 

[kcjaz]

It takes some dedication the first few times to figure out how to adjust the stroke, for sure.

Amazon delivered my new rivnit tool. I see how to adjust the compression using the gauge but what I don't know is how to correlate the compression (stroke) distance to what you need for the thickness of the metal you're installing the rivnut in. Seems like the rivnuts should have a compression chart where you could just get the setting based in sheet metal thickness. The rivnut package does specify the grip range but that just lets me know the rivnut will work, not how far to compress it.

The only thing I can figure is to install a few practice ones is some scrap.

 

[RET2]

Amazon delivered my new rivnit tool. I see how to adjust the compression using the gauge but what I don't know is how to correlate the compression (stroke) distance to what you need for the thickness of the metal you're installing the rivnut in. Seems like the rivnuts should have a compression chart where you could just get the setting based in sheet metal thickness. The rivnut package does specify the grip range but that just lets me know the rivnut will work, not how far to compress it.

The only thing I can figure is to install a few practice ones is some scrap.

Practice makes perfect but retaining is another issue. Let's be realistic if there were perfect directions errors would still occur. Being somewhat familiar and hand tool proficient goes a long way towards success, so does having a pro do it.

 

[grinchy]

The compression isn’t material thickness dependent. It should squish the same amount regardless of material as long as within the range of thickness for that nut.

 

[RET2]

The compression isn’t material thickness dependent. It should squish the same amount regardless of material as long as within the range of thickness for that nut.

Exactly, unlike a typical light weight aluminum pop rivet.