Cabinet Rivnuts

J

jeremy

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Dec 28, 2007
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I'm pulling down my cabinets to wire a new AC unit to the front hole. The last time the cabinets came down, I realized 2 of the bolts, one in each
cabinet, was not pulling tight. I want to pop in some rivnuts and I think I need 1/4"-14 but can't seem to find that size anywhere. Anybody know off
the top of their heads the correct rivnut size? Otherwise I guess I'll just pick up new bolts to match 1/4"-20 which seems a common size.
--
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
 
Yep, 1/4" -20 it is.

> I'm pulling down my cabinets to wire a new AC unit to the front hole. The
> last time the cabinets came down, I realized 2 of the bolts, one in each
> cabinet, was not pulling tight. I want to pop in some rivnuts and I think
> I need 1/4"-14 but can't seem to find that size anywhere. Anybody know off
> the top of their heads the correct rivnut size? Otherwise I guess I'll
> just pick up new bolts to match 1/4"-20 which seems a common size.
>
 
> Yep, 1/4" -20 it is.

Thanks. Appreciate it!
--
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
 
Jeremy,

1/4"-14 is a self-tapping screw size; I'm sure you don't want that.
1/4"-20 is much more likely for those machine screws -- or 1/4"-28 if
they're National Fine threads (unlikely).

Ken H.

> I'm pulling down my cabinets to wire a new AC unit to the front hole. The
> last time the cabinets came down, I realized 2 of the bolts, one in each
> cabinet, was not pulling tight. I want to pop in some rivnuts and I think
> I need 1/4"-14 but can't seem to find that size anywhere. Anybody know off
> the top of their heads the correct rivnut size? Otherwise I guess I'll
> just pick up new bolts to match 1/4"-20 which seems a common size.
> --
> Thanks,
> Jeremy Knezek
> 1976 Glenbrook
> Birmingham, AL
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
> I'm pulling down my cabinets to wire a new AC unit to the front hole. The last time the cabinets came down, I realized 2 of the bolts, one in each
> cabinet, was not pulling tight. I want to pop in some rivnuts and I think I need 1/4"-14 but can't seem to find that size anywhere. Anybody know off
> the top of their heads the correct rivnut size? Otherwise I guess I'll just pick up new bolts to match 1/4"-20 which seems a common size.

Jeremy,

Replacing rivnuts is usually a bear. They don't like to be removed, but!!!
It seems that they get loose with vibration.
They can often be re-tightened.

You need a screw (bolt) with a lot of thread, a spacer to get clear of the ceiling, a washer and another 1/4-20 nut.
If you can get hardware that is Grade 8, get that.
Put some good grease on the washer and the threads of the long screw.
Put the nut, washer and spacer on the long screw so that there is at least 1/2" of thread open.
Now, thread that all into the overhead rivnut.
Holding the head of the long screw, wrench the nut down until the whole thing gets solid.

I've actually done this more than a few times, but my 73 has self drill screws for the overhead stuff.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
> > I'm pulling down my cabinets to wire a new AC unit to the front hole. The last time the cabinets came down, I realized 2 of the bolts, one in
> > each cabinet, was not pulling tight. I want to pop in some rivnuts and I think I need 1/4"-14 but can't seem to find that size anywhere. Anybody
> > know off the top of their heads the correct rivnut size? Otherwise I guess I'll just pick up new bolts to match 1/4"-20 which seems a common size.
>
> Jeremy,
>
> Replacing rivnuts is usually a bear. They don't like to be removed, but!!!
> It seems that they get loose with vibration.
> They can often be re-tightened.
>
> You need a screw (bolt) with a lot of thread, a spacer to get clear of the ceiling, a washer and another 1/4-20 nut.
> If you can get hardware that is Grade 8, get that.
> Put some good grease on the washer and the threads of the long screw.
> Put the nut, washer and spacer on the long screw so that there is at least 1/2" of thread open.
> Now, thread that all into the overhead rivnut.
> Holding the head of the long screw, wrench the nut down until the whole thing gets solid.
>
> I've actually done this more than a few times, but my 73 has self drill screws for the overhead stuff.
>
> Matt


Mine aren't loose so much as they are stripped. Retightening won't solve the problem. The bolt just slides in and out for 2 of the overhead
connections.

--
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
 
> Jeremy,
>
> 1/4"-14 is a self-tapping screw size; I'm sure you don't want that.
> 1/4"-20 is much more likely for those machine screws -- or 1/4"-28 if
> they're National Fine threads (unlikely).
>
> Ken H.
>
>

>
> > I'm pulling down my cabinets to wire a new AC unit to the front hole. The
> > last time the cabinets came down, I realized 2 of the bolts, one in each
> > cabinet, was not pulling tight. I want to pop in some rivnuts and I think
> > I need 1/4"-14 but can't seem to find that size anywhere. Anybody know off
> > the top of their heads the correct rivnut size? Otherwise I guess I'll
> > just pick up new bolts to match 1/4"-20 which seems a common size.
> > --
> > Thanks,
> > Jeremy Knezek
> > 1976 Glenbrook
> > Birmingham, AL
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

Thanks Ken. Pretty sure they aren't fine threads so I'm going to try -20. Smart thing is just to take one of the bolts over to the local Big Box and
use their test template, but I'm pretty sure all you guys are right and that it is -20.
--
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
 
Jeremy,

I have used these rivnuts from McMaster-Carr:

https://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-rivet-nuts/=1d98k6o

Here's a photo of the tool I made to pull them:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6419-rivet-nuts-for-plastic.html

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808


-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Jeremy
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2018 12:29 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Cabinet Rivnuts

Thanks Ken. Pretty sure they aren't fine threads so I'm going to try -20. Smart thing is just to take one of the bolts over to the
local Big Box and use their test template, but I'm pretty sure all you guys are right and that it is -20.
--
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
 
Thanks Matt. Very helpful!
--
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
 
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