threaded inserts for wood

[nbpt100]

I see there are two basic types of threaded inserts for wooden furniture out there. One type has a tapered and interrupted outer thread. The other has a solid and straight outer thread. Can experienced wood workers outline the pros and cons of each type and point me into the better type for furniture repair. Keeping in mind most of the furniture i will be repairing is softer woods and some will be pressed fibre board. Maybe they are so close in function it does not matter, but I would still like to get the input from those with direct experience. Thanks.

 

[mhejl]

I haven't had good luck with the first type you mentioned. The ones I've tried are some soft alloy with a shallow hex head drive for setting. They strip out pretty easily when installing.

The straight brass ones work pretty well if you use the special setting tool that you can buy separately or they come in a kit. Below is a 1/4 internal. For hard woods, I sometimes need to slightly tap with the 3/8 NC tap.

 

[billconner]

I agree with mhejl (except I've always used a 1/2" paddle bit to drive the inserts in) but I've never used them in particle board of any kind. A little suspicious of how well they'll last. Pine has been fine.

 

[T45]

Type you screw in (shown above) isn't ideal, but works with shallow insertion on deep boards or walls etc... other type needs dual-sided access, and typically longer hardware.

 

[mhejl]

I forgot to mention: have you considered barrel nuts? Very common in knock-down furniture like bed bolts, couches, etc. Ikea is very fond of them. They work pretty well with particle board, too. There's also large head low profile "furniture bolts" in various finishes. I've used them on stuff like couches, beds, workbenches, etc.

 

[nbpt100]

I found this website that is a very good reference for fasteners of all kinds used in furniture and general wood working.

I am leaning toward the Type D and E for softer wood and engineered woods. They are similar the 1st type I described in my 1st post. They have other options for hard woods if you scroll down the page. Similar to the 2nd type I described in my 1st post. There may be a type that is a good middle ground insert that could work well in all, but I am leaning to have two types that will excel in their designed applications. They are cheap enough to inventory both types. Thanks to all.

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[BTL-A4]

I prefer the ones with a hex drive to install them in the wood. I've had the slotted ones strip out. In harder wood, like oak, you need to drill the pilot hole just slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the thread.

 

[tarbellb]

I prefer the ones with a hex drive to install them in the wood. I've had the slotted ones strip out. In harder wood, like oak, you need to drill the pilot hole just slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the thread.

Same

Find the coarse threaded HEX drive inserts. Best for most woods, specially softer woods/composites. Tee nuts are good only if you have access to the side opposite of the pull force.

 

[T444e]

I haven't had good luck with the first type you mentioned. The ones I've tried are some soft alloy with a shallow hex head drive for setting. They strip out pretty easily when installing.

The straight brass ones work pretty well if you use the special setting tool that you can buy separately or they come in a kit. Below is a 1/4 internal. For hard woods, I sometimes need to slightly tap with the 3/8 NC tap.

From my experience, they do not work if going into hard wood (not saying hardwoods in general). I tried them in some locust and couldn't properly set them. Stripped out the drive end before even getting them halfway in. I even picked up a 7/16"-16 tap (matched the insert threads as best I could measure), if I recall correctly, I failed at running the tap in true. I decided to take a break from the project before I attempt plan D or E or maybe even F by now. I have used them in soft wood without an issue. I really need to get back at that project.

 

[hefnerconstructionlc]

I've just used the straight thread ones too. I thought they worked fine. What I would do is drill the hole screw it in most of the way. Then back the insert out. Fill with epoxy and then set the insert in. Seem to work fine.