I am trying to locate some flange head nuts that can be inserted from the top on boxed rails. I have seen them at various ch***is shops but I can't seem to locate any locally. You simply fit them in the hole and weld the extra large flange nut to the top of the rail. I use 3/8 x 24 for my body bolts. I may be calling them the wrong name but I tried threaded inserts and couldn't locate any either. Any ideas or brand names would be helpful.
I knew I shouldn't have started typing..What he ^^^^^^ said! Do not get the hardened ones like used in machine clamping systems, they do not like to be welded..
I think McMaster-Carr is where you will get the best mailorder service. Lynn...they should have an online catalog, I ran a toolroom for many years and they usually had what we needed, plus just browsing their hardware catalog is kinda entertaining..... If you like that sort of thing.
If I totalled it all up, I have already probably spent several days of my life browsing Mcmaster Carrs online catalog. I should get a print version, so I could take it to bed at night!
Search for flanged weld nuts Here's some pics, I've never used this company, linking them for an example. http://www.buckeyefasteners.com/doc/nuts.aspx#flangedWeld Here's an example of "cap nut open end full washer" http://www.on-b.com/nuts/capwasher.aspx
Lynn, I have also used 'Nutserts' With these you drill the hole, tap in the nutsert and then expand it in the hole with a special tool. No welding and you can even put them into the frame after it's painted. I got my set from Snap-on when I worked there.
Another option is heavy duty nuts, drill frame for tight fit. Use a bolt with nut, washer,nut and tap in frame. Remove bolt and weld nut. Heavy duty/oversize nuts are available from McMaster Carr.
we used riv- nuts and huck bolts on semi's and HE to hold the frames and ancillery stuff to them . but they are semi permanent and the tools are expensive . riv-nuts are more common and easier to get and install if you do get the weld style nuts get the ones that press fit to the tubing as it will save headaches in placing them before you weld .
Stimpy is referring to a round piloted weld nut, or a press nut. If you search those you'll get options.
I got some from Lowes in there fastener section, just flange nut. Drilled a hole in the frame just large enough for the nut to fit into, screw a bolt into the nut ,clamped it down , welded it in and unscrewed the bolt. They are 5/16-18 nuts.
And to think I machined mine from scratch. Well at least I didn't have to wait for delivery. My time working on my car I consider free anyway.
Thanks for all your responses. I found some at our local nut and bolt store in Chatsworth. I will take a photo of the installation and post.
When I get bolts at lowes, I can carry the silly bag that I spent $20.00 on hooked over my pinky finger When I go to my good bolt supplier across town and spend $20.00 I need both hands to carry the box. If I spend $50.00 there it takes a 2 wheeler. They will sell you onesie twosie bolts but the counter guys make funny faces at you
the only other bolt supplier we have here in dayton is tractor supply. there is a fastenal here but they wont even wait on you when you walk in to the counter sales. they wont break a box for small qty's so its the only local choic we have
Here is what I ended up with on my ch***is. I purchased these from Summit and they worked great. $3 each. I enlarged the stock body mount hole to 3/4" using a step drill.
I like to use the ones you can get at the local hardware store. I drill the frame with a step drill so that the flange fits flush with the top of the frame rail and tig weld them in.
These are what I use, called 'captive nuts'. The nut is held captive in that frame and it is loose in there so you can have some misalignment. I weld them inside the frame rail before boxing. This one is 5/16ths thread in a 3/8ths frame. You can get them from 10/32 and up, they are especially good behind the dash. I get them from McMaster-Carr
Thanks, I have used those also but if the bolt gets tight the cage breaks loose — then you are done. I had that happen several times on old Ford frames. Henry used those to fasten down the floorboards in 34 and up.
the wife makes a funny look but understands it when I go to the bolt depot and buy a box of 25-50 ( 1/4-20's I buy by the hundred lot and they disapear fast too ) for the same price as 5 at the big box store , I bought a bunch of the akro bins and rails and put them up on the back of my work bench , my high dollar tractor bolts ( certified grade 8 ) which I get from my Case IH dealer , I keep locked up in a tool room box so when a neighbor needs a bolt they get a cheap one unless they want to pay for the other one . as for small quan***ies I have bought 2-3 from the fastenal guys and they do not cringe but ussually I do make a decent size sale when I buy from them .
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