My dashboard is currently attached with a series of nuts and bolts which is a pain to remove if necessary as it involves reaching through the scuttle
to hold the nuts whilst undoing the bolts. As such, I want to make the nuts captive.
I've seen the big head fasteners which look ideal other than the fact they're about £2.50 each which seems extortionate. Are there any other
suitable fasteners to bind/fibreglass in for this purpose? I could obviously create my own big head fasteners but I'm sure there must be a
simpler solution. Would a rivnut with a large flange fibreglassed to the back work?
A more budget solution would be greatly appreciated!
Well nuts in a tight fitting hole would be better in FG. Rivnuts wiuld either crack FG when fitting or over time. Rubber would give good vibration damping.
I've used riv nuts on Fibre glass. Hasn't given me any problems. Just be sure to drill a nice clean hole.
I was more thinking of using it in a similar fashion to the big head fasteners rather than in a conventional sense.
I'm not that keen on rivnuts in general, when there is usually a more permanent solution.
I made bigheads using some drilled alu sheet and a rivnut, and then bonded on with PU adhesive. They hold my wheel arches on and are rock solid after 7 years. As above, I also have used rivnuts directly in fibreglass - I used a washer on the back sidenof the panel to help spread the load. They have not cracked, but I would not recommend it.
That's a much easier way to make big heads than getting the welder out - might give it a go at the weekend.
I have used spire nuts in the past same as spire clips but instead of using self tappers they take bolts.
Matty
I've had no issues with rivnuts for my dash (4mm button head bolts). I use them to keep the rear arches on too - they've been absolutely
fine.
I use a ramp style tool to fit them.
i used these from halfords
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/motorcycling/motorcycle-accessories/gtmoto-aluminium-screen-screws-black
You could use Dzus quarter turn fasteners with a riveted backplate ?
You do however have to make sure you order the right length.
Short of making something you are going to have to pay for them.
If you spend time cutting backplates, drilling them, and inserting Rivnuts suddenly your "extortionate" price seems cheaper.
HTH
Paul G
Quarter turn, rivet backplate
Photo courtesy of eBay
[Edited on 12/5/16 by 907]
This might sound a little odd, but isn't all that going to be a case of over engineering? If you just want the nuts to stay in place while you
put the bolts in, couldn't you use superglue on the existing fixings? I'm assuming you're not applying mega torque to the dashboard
bolts, superglue would be more than enough to hold it in place.
Maybe for a bit of extra confidence, glue a penny washer on to the FG first, then a nut to the washer.
[Edited on 12/5/16 by Slimy38]
Here's a locost way of how I fitted my front wings. Maybe it will give you ideas. The nut is a "T" nut cheap as chips on ebay.
Frontwing fixingA
Frontwing fixingB
The aluminium plates were fibre glassed to the underside of the wing allowing it to be removed without showing a fixing through the top.
Hi
I've used these old stock NIMROD Aircraft Anchor Nut they work out at about 45p each
100 X NIMROD Aircraft Anchor Nut 5310-99-601-5946 6mm Thread BAE SYSTEMS
quote:
Originally posted by Smoking Frog
Here's a locost way of how I fitted my front wings. Maybe it will give you ideas. The nut is a "T" nut cheap as chips on ebay.
Frontwing fixingA
Frontwing fixingB
The aluminium plates were fibre glassed to the underside of the wing allowing it to be removed without showing a fixing through the top.
quote:
Looks like a locost solution, although you could use clinch studs rather than t-nuts, so you cant screw in to the FG accidently.
quote:
Originally posted by ste
i used these from halfords
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/motorcycling/motorcycle-accessories/gtmoto-aluminium-screen-screws-black
If you have clearance behind the scuttle make a frame of 1/4" steel, drill and tap the same hole pattern as the dash, bead of Tiger seal between steel and dash, then when you fasten all together the steel plate is bonded to back of scuttle. Cheap n easy. Hope I explained it clear enough to understand.