Can you thread 16ga material?

[gtivr4]

Is it possible to run threads in 16ga material to run a bolt into? I'm designing an item that doesn't need to be overly strong, but I need to be able to run some bolts into some thinner tubing...

if 16ga is too thing (for sat a 1/4-20 bolt), what would the minimum gauge be? Is there a way to determine appropriate material thickness to thread size?

 

[Zengineer]

Nutserts are your friend... because the answer to 16ga and a 1/4-20 bolt is no.

They basically install like a pop-rivet. Aircraft spruce, Pegasus auto racing, Mcmaster, etc. carry them.

 

[VegasBruce]

You would need a Nut-sert, or just use a sheetmetal screw. To use the 1/4 20 bolt, 12 or 10 gauge would be needed.

 

[PAToyota]

16ga is about 1/16" thick. At 20 threads per inch you're barely going to get over one full thread in that thickness. I'd want at least two or three threads minimum. 11ga would be 1/8" and get you 2.5 threads, which would be about the minimum for me.

 

[brownfoot]

the distance between threads for a 20 lead (20 threads per inch) is .050 inches which means less than one thread for 16 ga, which will hold enough to keep the screw from falling out, but that is about it.........
normally the thickness should be the diameter of the thread, or for a rule of thumb, look at the thickness of a standard nut for the size of screw or bolt

 

[djjsr]

You could try a smaller bolt if it doesn't need to be 1/4". I just threaded some 16 ga. for 10-32 screws and it worked just fine.

 

[HemiRambler]

You can also use a PEM fastener. Smaller than a nutsert.

 

[DocsMachine]

Flow Drilling is an option. It essentially forms it's own collar in the workpiece, which can then be threaded. Works in a normal drill press, although you need a somewhat beefy one.

Doc.

 

[MrMark]

Isn't there a punch that "rolls" the material inward to essentially do what the "flow drilling" is doing?

 

[rsanter]

you can drill a smaller hole
put a socket on the back side
and use a punch or drift to roll the material into the hole
now thread this hole and you may be good
do a test piece first so you will learn the hole size to use and punch size

whats wrong with a nut on the backside? you could weld the nut on to be perminant

bob

 

[e-tek]

16ga is about 1/16" thick. At 20 threads per inch you're barely going to get over one full thread in that thickness. I'd want at least two or three threads minimum. 11ga would be 1/8" and get you 2.5 threads, which would be about the minimum for me.

That's a hell of an answer! I had to write it down...

 

[Daniel Dudley]

Is it possible to run threads in 16ga material to run a bolt into? I'm designing an item that doesn't need to be overly strong, but I need to be able to run some bolts into some thinner tubing...

if 16ga is too thing (for sat a 1/4-20 bolt), what would the minimum gauge be? Is there a way to determine appropriate material thickness to thread size?

You would use a #14 tapping screw with a hex head. That is a quarter inch screw, and made for sheet metal.

 

[Kevin54]

You can thread 16 gauge and it will work, but the better way is to extrude the hole so you have more to work with. By that I mean you start out with a small pilot hole, then drive through the appropriate size punch to bring up the hole diameter to the appropriate size tap, then thread accordingly.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

you need a 1/4" rivet nut
mcmaster.com

 

[nkachur]

you can drill a smaller hole
put a socket on the back side
and use a punch or drift to roll the material into the hole
now thread this hole and you may be good
do a test piece first so you will learn the hole size to use and punch size

whats wrong with a nut on the backside? you could weld the nut on to be perminant

bob

That is a great idea... wil have to remember that