HF Rivet Nut tool for metric inserts

[dmw16]

I bought this yesterday: http://m.harborfreight.com/3-in-1-riveter-kit-94100.html?utm_referrer=direct/not provided

It feels pretty substainal for a HF tool. The downside was it doesn't have metric install tools and my BMW I'm building is all metric and my OCD is struggling with having a few SAE fasteners.

So I was thinking, can I buy the metric nose pieces that McMaster Carr sells and use it with this? McMasters tool takes SAE and metric nose pieces and the tools look the same. With things like this I tend to assume they all come from the same factory.

 

[BigEarn86]

I'm following. Super interested in the quality of the HF tool and possible metric use.

 

[dmw16]

Quality wise it's actually pretty nice. This is the one that doesn't come with rivnuts. It feels solid and pretty well made, especially for HF.

I actually ordered an m6 and m8 nose piece from McMaster this morning. I needed some stuff anyway. If no one can answer before Tuesday when the parts arrive I'll report back. I'm catiously optimistic.

 

[BigEarn86]

Sweet. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

 

[NC-Shaun]

Subscribed

 

[Sine Swept]

I will have to check my rivnut tool to see if it came with metric fittings (I spent $80 on mine before finding them everywhere locally for less)

I do believe it to be of higher quality though.

 

[Jake79]

Wow I didn't realize HF sold these did you find it in the store or order online?

 

[dmw16]

Wow I didn't realize HF sold these did you find it in the store or order online?

In the store.

I will have to check my rivnut tool to see if it came with metric fittings (I spent $80 on mine before finding them everywhere locally for less)

I do believe it to be of higher quality though.

None of them seem to come with metric insert parts. Except the ones that are metric-only. The McMaster one comes with the same SAE parts but you can order metric ones. It's really just a question whether it's all just rebranded from the same factory and/or with the same threads.

 

[dmw16]

Just to report back, the metric parts from McMaster don't work. The design between the two tools is different enough that they aren't interchangeable. Perhaps with some fabrication efforts they could be, but at that point I may as well have bought the McMaster tool.

Oh well, with easy returns to McMaster it was worth a try.

 

[BigEarn86]

Thanks man. Sorry about the bad news. Are you getting the other tool? How do you intend to do the metric riv nuts?

 

[dmw16]

Thanks man. Sorry about the bad news. Are you getting the other tool? How do you intend to do the metric riv nuts?

I'm just going to grit my teeth and bear using SAE sized fasteners in a few spots on my race car. To avoid having to worry about packing SAE wrenches/sockets I am going to use machine screws in spots that have non-metric hardware. Nothing I can do about the OCD thing...just gotta live with that

I only need rivnuts for 2 locations (8 fasteners total) so the few spots I just can't justify $60 plus the added mandrels compared to the $17 for the HF tool.

 

[knobby]

I'm just going to grit my teeth and bear using SAE sized fasteners in a few spots on my race car. To avoid having to worry about packing SAE wrenches/sockets I am going to use machine screws in spots that have non-metric hardware. Nothing I can do about the OCD thing...just gotta live with that

I only need rivnuts for 2 locations (8 fasteners total) so the few spots I just can't justify $60 plus the added mandrels compared to the $17 for the HF tool.

With a decent cap screw,a washer and a little grease the metric rivnuts can be set with little problems. js.

 

[66HertzClone]

With a decent cap screw,a washer and a little grease the metric rivnuts can be set with little problems. js.

I was going to say the same thing. I have a nut sert kit I purchased from Garrett Wade, all fractional, has no 10-32 just 10-24, so I have set a few using the method you describe.

 

[lashlee]

I have a Marson and at one point bought a HF mainly to do some 1/4-20 and it was junk. It broke on the second one and left me dead in the water until I could get the arbor for my Marson to come in. If I didn't have a good tool then the HF piece may not be that bad but it's a far cry from a good one.

 

[dmw16]

I'm sure the HF tool will be adequate at best but I will be installing 8 rivnuts and then probably not using them again in the foreseeable future. So That's probably good enough. Tho I do wish I could have gotten the metric hardware to work.

 

[knobby]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=221179