What are these called?

[Butkusrules]

Apparently these can be hammered in wood to make a screw receptacle. I dont even know what they are called. I have and old unused Executive desk made of 1 1/2 " Plywood/mdf and someone suggested I hammer these sockets into 12" tall wood blocks and connect it to the desk with a headless screws into the existing leg leveler threads to raise the desk 12" up to use as a garage workbench. This as opposed to slicing the tops off and building my own frame underneath. Thoughts?

 

[Lx460]

Pronged tee nut

 

[Jinks]

T-nuts

 

[Jinks]

Central Floridians know their nuts, we got a lot of 'em. Thought I'd get that out before some of y'all caught it.............

 

[404]

The design your describe sounds like a bad idea.. Those t nuts are only good when the fastener pulls them tight to the wood they are hammered into.

Sounds like your design is pulling them out? That is not going to hold.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The design your describe sounds like a bad idea.. Those t nuts are only good when the fastener pulls them tight to the wood they are hammered into.

Sounds like your design is pulling them out? That is not going to hold.

This is true, the OP needs to drill the block thru, counterbore the bottom end with a wood spade bit, and use a threaded rod, fender washer, and nut to do the job.

Alternative, build a 2x1 frame to set it on. Put some headless bolts in the threaded leveler holes and drill matching holes in the 2x12's so the bench stays put on the frame.

Charles

 

[er3456df]

Or use a hanger bolt.

 

[AnEv942]

Several ways to 'extend' the legs, as the weight is pushing them together-wouldn't be pulling on the t-nut, other than side leverage might pull them. Dont know if you could pick up threaded (machine one side wood other side) screws to match desk.
However fiddling with all that, I see the counter levered tops more of an issue for using as a work bench. Though I suppose depends on what your using for.

Short of starting over, utilizing only tops, could build a boxwork to set the whole thing on. With legs at inside corners and stringers to support top edge. Center shelf?. Be hard to keep that 'executive' look.

 

[yeldogt]

They are normally used for adjustable feet. They will not pull something tight.

 

[Beemer533]

I did exactly what you are suggesting for a leveling base on my chest freezer. It does work, but depending on how far out you adjust the screw/foot, it doesn't feel very stable...

If I had to do it again, I would use these; http://www.mcmaster.com/#94122a200/=vsm1ci

Basically the same thing, but with a wider flange and they can be screwed in to the base... I still wouldn't extend whatever you use for a foot out very far...

 

[rburke65]

Those are a great tool. My radiate them years ago making a removable panel in a finished ceiling. Lots of uses.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I don't think that desk will last long if used as a workbench, they're not designed for that kind of abuse.

 

[srmofo]

If you are set on doing this your way I would suggest using lengths of black pipe with flanges on both sides screwed into the top and then the base.

 

[olytdi]

I think the "hammering them in" idea is drawing you astray. Just think of them as a one piece combination washer and nut. They well not have any holding power as a result of being "hammered in." In fact, when they're used, they're usually just drawn into the wood as you tighten the bolt/screw from the side of the work opposite the tee nut as others have pointed out.

 

[Butkusrules]

I'm not set on anything. I was building a bench from scratch when my brother showed up in a sprinter with this desk in it. It's easily the heaviest desk I have ever seen. Every surface is 1 1/2 inch thick. I have no use for it as a desk. My immediate thought was to separate the boards and use them as the top. I would probably glue and screw 3/4 inch plywood on top. I'm open to any and all ideas including not using it all. The desk seems plenty strong though.

 

[crab]

Doing it the way you said will work fine, most furniture is made that way. I've seen a lot of legs like that [ retired interstate mover ] you don't need to worry about it pulling out with a desk on top of it!