What are rivet nuts?
Rivet nuts, also known as rivnuts, nutserts, blind rivet nuts, or threaded inserts, are one-piece internal thread inserts that can be installed in sheet metal and composite materials from one side to create a permanent and reusable thread.
These versatile creations come in a range of materials, and with so many different types of rivet nuts on the market, there are a few things you should keep in mind when shopping for rivnuts.
Are rivet nuts versatile?
Yes, they are highly versatile. Rivet nuts come in different materials, such as steel, aluminium, stainless steel, brass and rubber. They can be installed into materials such as metal, plastic, carbon fibre, wood and more, where conventional hot welding is impractical. Rivet nuts are available in various sizes as well as body and flange shapes. They feature faster and easier assembly at reduced costs, so they are commonly used in industries and applications, including aerospace and agricultural equipment, medical technology, construction, automotive industry, electronic appliances, furniture assembly, HVAC, boat building, playground equipment and more.
Most rivet nuts need to be installed by using a rivnut tool. Depending on how the setting power is generated, rivnut tools can be categorised as manual rivet nut tools, battery or cordless rivnut guns and air nutsert guns.
Should I use a power rivet nut gun or a manual rivet nut gun?
When choosing a rivet nut gun, the first thing to consider is whether you need a power tool or a hand/manual tool. It depends on the volume of rivet nuts you plan to install. If it is a one-off project and you are looking at less than 100 rivet nuts in total, perhaps a hand tool is sufficient. If you plan to use the tool every day and go through hundreds of rivet nuts, then a power tool is worth the investment.
What's better, a battery rivnut gun or an air rivet nut gun?
The choice between these two depends on the location you plan to work in. If you are working on a job site without ready access to a compressed air supply, a battery-operated tool would be ideal. An extra battery is recommended for volume installations. If you are working in a factory or in one location, an air rivet nut gun could offer a faster solution for high-volume users.
Do Size and Material Matter?
The next question is the size and material type of the rivet nut you are using. Most rivet nut tools are compatible with a range of rivet nut sizes. They come with a full set of nosepieces and mandrels so you don't have to buy multiple tools. Check the setting capabilities of the tool and make sure the size of the rivet nut you are installing is within the working range.
The material of the rivet nut is another factor to consider. Stainless steel rivet nuts require more pulling force to install. So if you are in this material area, double check the material setting capability description and make sure the tool can handle that size of stainless steel rivet nut.
If you are looking to buy quality rivet nuts and rivet nut guns, we have you covered! With a wide variety of rivet nuts and rivet nut guns on our team, we have everything you could need when it comes to rivet nuts. Contact a reliable rivet supplier today and let them know what you are looking for.
