Anyone know where I can hire a nut rivetting tool?
Am intending to use M6 rivnuts to fix the headlamp bar, and also for other necessary chassis fixings. Rivetting these steel inserts into steel, requires a tool more substantial than the usual hand-lever jobs (these are generally only good for M5 max, or fixing into ally).
Have located a big rivetting tool; looks similar to bolt cutters & costs £80+!!!
The only other solution is shown on David Jenkins website, and this requires the use of a lathe.

I purchased the heavy duty rivnut gun which comes with some assorted steel rivnuts, and cost just over 60 quid IIRC. It closes up to 8mm rivnuts, and mine has taken quite a hammering so far, with no complaints.
Still quite expensive, but like mobile phones and computers, once you own one you wonder how the hell you ever managed before....

HTH Stu.

Dick,

The fancy gizmo isn't essential, although it does make life much easier.

You can set a rivnut with a nut, a washer and a bolt. Put the nut on the bolt, followed by the washer, then screw the bolt fully into the rivnut. Hold the bolt head steady with a spanner, and use another spanner to wind the nut down towards the rivnut. Keep winding until the rivnut is set.

Sounds easy, but there's a lot of force involved and you will probably wreck the bolt after two or three rivnuts. You will certainly need some grease on the bolt.

My gadget eases this effort by using a thrust washer, which greatly reduces the struggle.

Worth a play on a bit of scrap, anyway.

cheers,

David

[Edited on 19/8/03 by David Jenkins]

try this link for a rivnut tool and 50 ass rivnuts...

only £30 inc p+p

Thanks for the responses guys.
Eddie - Hoping to see the example you detailed, at Donny.
David - The thrust bearing was noted. All I need now is access to a lathe!
Stu - Could you post details of where you got yours?

[Edited on 22/8/03 by Dick Axtell]

Sorry mate, thought I had, then re-read my post.....DOH!

Car builder Solutions-at most kit car shows, also do mail order. Usually an add in the kitcar mags too.

[Edited on 23/8/03 by Stu16v]

Here's another contact to add to this list -
Primary Fasteners Limited :
www.prifast.co.uk
Tel 0121 247 5191
Fax 0870 706 2248
Mobile 077304 37512

Contact called Mr. Coulson gave very good advice re sizes, materials & suitable types of rivnut.