proper setting of rivnut

[toplessHO]

well the cheap azz HF tool bit the dust after just 2 of the steel 1/4 inch nuts
no surprise here,but it does the aluminum ones ok,steel is just too much for it.
So Ive resorted to using the hardened insert and a nut,washer,7/16 wrench and a pair of small visegrips to finish setting the few I have left to do.
Im setting these in 1/8" aluminum and am using a caliper to gauge when to stop. Ive tested by twisting off a grade 5 bolt and threads and nut survived just fine.
Whats the proper way to set these when you dont have a tool?
Im not buying a $75 tool to set half a dozen of these.

 

[plinker]

Some semi truck chrome trim bling/**** uses these, Some bits came with an installation tool which is a piece of flat stock with a 1/4" size hole in one end.

You'd use a 1/4" bolt with flat washer, then the flat stock followed by a star washer and then the riv nut. you'd use a ratchet or wrench to tighten the bolt therefore setting the nut. Basically tighten until it seemed tight, typically we'd set them in fiberglass hoods and some aluminum cabs.

These are the style I'm referring to.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J7X4DIK/?coliid=ISYYPE1U6XXBC&colid=2NSE5U6ZP291O&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I did buy one of these as I have future projects in mind. Works well.
https://www.amazon.com/Astro-Pneumatic-Tool-1442-Setter/dp/B003TODXQW/ref=pd_bxgy_469_img_3/141-8575365-9897309?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B003TODXQW&pd_rd_r=f1bd659f-34bf-11e9-9bc4-716d17e7345d&pd_rd_w=S2AsD&pd_rd_wg=DYmQ5&pf_rd_p=6725dbd6-9917-451d-beba-16af7874e407&pf_rd_r=XHSH8ZKH54XAH2SZGKJ5&psc=1&refRID=XHSH8ZKH54XAH2SZGKJ5

 

[toplessHO]

Rivnuts I have are the same exact thing as those Astros.
Question is how much do they get compressed for proper fit in 1/8" aluminum.

 

[C.L S2000]

If you are setting rivnuts in a 1/8" sheet, that might be out of the grip range for 1/4" rivnuts. I believe grip range for a 1/4" rivnut is 26-13 gauge. 1/8" is around 11 gauge.

 

[rlitman]

Rivnuts come in all sorts of grip ranges. Grip range is independent of diameter.

 

[toplessHO]

●Name: Rivet nut
●Material: Carbon steel, zinc plated.
●Type: Flat head, Knurled body.
●Size type: 1/4-20UNC
●Drill Hole Size: 0.356 inch
●Head Dia.: 0.5 inch
●Head Height: 0.039 inch
●Total Length: 0.61 inch
●Grip Range: 0.04-0.14 inch

seems they are happy at about .490 total compressed height
but surely theres some kind of spec for this

 

[plinker]

Here's a link that may help some. They dont list a torque spec to use, but they do show a finished length. Being a different brand it may give a ball park measurement to use.
http://www.rivet-nut.com/assets/complete_rivnut_catalog_product_guide.pdf

 

[toplessHO]

thanks for that
compressed height on those is shown as .450 so Im pretty close to that.

 

[toplessHO]

finished my tool to properly compress them
will show in new thread