If
you have never used Riv-Nuts - you have missed out!
They are the most marvelous invention for inserting a captive
nut into a panel where you do not have access to the back of
the panel.
They work in a very similar way to 'Pop Rivets' and are quick
& easy to use. The down-side is the tools normally used
to insert Riv-Nuts are expensive. A cheap tool is likely to
be over £50 and a good quality one over £100. This
has kept them out of the reach of many.
It is however possible to make a simple tool which will do just
as good a job (so long as you don't have to insert hundreds
of the things!).
There are many designs on the web, most more complicated than
this. We developed the tool below (by trial and error) and are
pleased with the results.
The tool consists of a bolt (actually a machine screw if you
want to be technical) a washer and a nut with the thread drilled
out.
|
Step
1:
Drill
an 11.5mm hole in your panel.
Here you can see the tool on the left and the Riv-Nut on the
right.
|
 |
Step
2:
Slide
the nut (with the thread drilled out) over the bolt and screw
the Riv-Nut on to the end of the bolt. |
 |
Step
3:
Insert
the whole thing into the hole you drilled in step 1. |
 |
Step
4:
Using
an open-ended 13mm spanner, hold the nut still.
With a ring spanner (or socket + wrench) turn the bolt clockwise.
The Riv-Nut should not rotate. There should be enough friction
between it and the nut to hold it still. If not, a blob of Super
Glue (tm) between the nut and the Riv-Nut will help. |
 |
As
you tighten the bolt, it pulls in the back of the Riv-Nut collapsing
the tube against the rear of the panel.
As you tighten it, you will feel the bolt become more difficult
to turn. This is the time to stop! The Riv-Nut will feel securely
fixed in the hole.
The Picture on the Right shows the back of the Riv-Nut when
secure. |
 |
Step
5:
Remove
the bolt from the Riv-Nut.
And that's it! |
 |
| If,
even after applying Super Glue (tm) between the nut and Riv-Nut,
the Riv-Nut still rotates in the hole, try applying a blob of
glue between the Riv-Nut and the panel. |
|
| Note,
Tool is supplied free with X-Protect
Door Sliders |
