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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
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    Kingswood
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    930

    Default Rivnuts - or Similar

    I am mounting electronic components onto the 1.5 mm back-plate of a new electrical enclosure for my CNC mill.
    This includes DIN rail for PCB cards and relays, relatively heavy stepper driver modules and other components.

    The stepper modules really need a couple of M5 full-strength fixings, doubtful in 1.5 mm.

    Many years ago I used rivnuts in thin sheet metal, but they were impact rivetted from the back.
    A version currently available inserts from one side, using a tool similar to a pop-rivet gun.

    Is this the best solution ?
    Any recommendations for a supplier ?

    Keep well,
    John.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    666

    Default Rivnuts - or Similar

    I did this (on a much smaller scale) by drilling the enclosure and having a small countersunk bolt through the hole from the back, with a threaded stand off on the inside. Would that work too?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Newcastle
    Posts
    229

    Default

    I bought my setting tool from a specialty place years ago but I think I saw something similar in Sydney Tools the other day.

    If the 1.5mm is not enough you could always do similar to the standoff idea above but use a thick mounting plate either on the backside or both sides. That way you're sandwiching the 1.5mm and spreading the load out over a much larger area.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Southern Highlands NSW
    Posts
    1,894

    Default

    I discovered Rivnuts/Nutserts a couple of years ago, and give them a thumbs up.
    Chinese make, Ebay sourced kits have tool and some rivets.
    Rivet sets are available too, in MS, SS, Aluminium.
    They take a bit of effort to install with the hand tool, and power tools are an option.
    They can also be installed with simple bolt, nut, spacer. See google.
    I used them to hold up shelf brackets in a shipping container, and are up to a pretty heavy load (in MS).

  5. #5
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,182

    Default

    6mm Rivnuts with oversize washers is how I installed cargo hold down rails inside my vans on just standard body thickness steel and I am constantly amazed at what load they can hold.

    This is my old van - on the newer on there are rails all the way along the walls but up near there roof.
    van.jpg

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
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    2,651

    Default

    Rivnuts are great, but another practical option is to pop rivet - either directly to the panel (in the case of din rails that never need to be removed, or rivet on a suitable mounting plate/bracket to the panel. Takes a decent amount of force to pull steel pop rivets though 1.5mm. Even aluminum rivets are fine in most cases.

    For occasional use and particularly with smaller nuts the generic rivnut tools work fine. If you were putting in a lot of larger steel nuts it would be worth investing in a decent tool.

    You can get generic mount brackets that clip onto din rail too.

    Another possible option for mounting your driver modules is to use a sort of Z rail (imagine one side of a din rail) and have a matching bracket on the driver module. The brackets take all the weight of the module and you just need to restrain the bottom of the module so it can’t pull out or lift up.

    Similar mounting method is used for metal household electrical switchboards - screw the Z bar onto the wall, hang the switchboard on it an put in a couple of screws at the bottom of the unit to stop it lifting up/out or moving sideways.

    Steve

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    2,651

    Default

    Another method for getting more engagement in a panel is to punch the hole for the fastener rather drill it. The panel metal pushes out the back of the panel and can give you a lot more thread engagement.
    Used a lot in production - I haven’t tried a DIY approach but thinking make the a hole with something like a nail then use the self tapping screws that have the fine threads and a small cutting notch at the end.

    This 1.6mm panel just used old style pointed self tapping screws, and you can see the material deformed out the rear of the hole even from those.




    Steve

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    blackburn vic
    Posts
    297

    Default Rivnuts

    One thing I found when fitting out a 4wd was Mic up the od of the rivnut and use that size drill bit for the hole. They like being tight in the mounting hole

    Roger

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
    Posts
    1,536

    Default

    I’d probably turn some plastic into stand-offs and bolt from both sides. Rivnuts are awesome until they start spinning in the panel.

    Total tools have the Kincrome tool, set heads and 80 assorted nuts in a box for $79, seems reasonable to me.
    https://www.totaltools.com.au/106444...RoCdZ0QAvD_BwE

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,416

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by OxxAndBert View Post
    Another method for getting more engagement in a panel is to punch the hole for the fastener rather drill it. The panel metal pushes out the back of the panel and can give you a lot more thread engagement.
    Used a lot in production - I haven’t tried a DIY approach but thinking make the a hole with something like a nail then use the self tapping screws that have the fine threads and a small cutting notch at the end.

    This 1.6mm panel just used old style pointed self tapping screws, and you can see the material deformed out the rear of the hole even from those.




    Steve
    There is a drill bit out that does this, heats it red hot and pushes through.
    I'll try to find the video

    Sent from my 5007U using Tapatalk
    Using Tapatalk

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,416

    Default

    Found it

    https://youtu.be/VzCBQh8B_RY

    Sent from my 5007U using Tapatalk
    Using Tapatalk

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,416

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by electrosteam View Post
    I am mounting electronic components onto the 1.5 mm back-plate of a new electrical enclosure for my CNC mill.
    This includes DIN rail for PCB cards and relays, relatively heavy stepper driver modules and other components.

    The stepper modules really need a couple of M5 full-strength fixings, doubtful in 1.5 mm.

    Many years ago I used rivnuts in thin sheet metal, but they were impact rivetted from the back.
    A version currently available inserts from one side, using a tool similar to a pop-rivet gun.

    Is this the best solution ?
    Any recommendations for a supplier ?

    Keep well,
    John.
    We seem to be neck and neck on our electrical boxes John, as I'm at the same stage.
    A 3mm thick backing would have been better

    Sent from my 5007U using Tapatalk
    Using Tapatalk

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Richmond
    Posts
    214

    Default

    I have plenty of m5 Rivnuts (Nutserts) and the tool here if you need them John.

    DH

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by electrosteam View Post
    Any recommendations for a supplier ?
    Just about any fasteners vendor.

    The fixing tool seems expensive for what it is. However a cheap work around tool can be cobbled up.

    See examples on U Tube. I am sure our blokes have made the tool and posted threads about it here.

    Specfast has the Rivnuts by the metric size starting at 3mm .

    Have not purchased imperial from them , so unaware of that aspect .

    Grahame

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    melbourne australia
    Posts
    3,228

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by OldRustyToolie View Post
    I have plenty of m5 Rivnuts (Nutserts) and the tool here if you need them John.

    DH
    Completely off topic, but I’m just curious. Richmond Vic, NSW or Tas?
    Chris

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