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Message
Worn screw holes in aluminum
Posted on 5/5/19 at 3:17 pm
Posted on 5/5/19 at 3:17 pm
I have some screw holes in aluminum that have become worn, screw will not tighten down. Short of going up a screw size, is there something I can put in the holes to make the screws tighten down? I tried caulk (5200) and it did not work to well.
ETA: A nut and bolt is not an option.
ETA: A nut and bolt is not an option.
This post was edited on 5/5/19 at 3:26 pm
13
Posted on 5/5/19 at 3:45 pm to WPBTiger
Have you tried wrapping some thread tape around the screws?
This post was edited on 5/5/19 at 3:46 pm
Posted on 5/5/19 at 3:46 pm to WPBTiger
Weld? Not sure if you’re trying to fill holes or need screws to hold something.
This post was edited on 5/5/19 at 3:47 pm
Posted on 5/5/19 at 3:52 pm to WPBTiger
My Avery blind had some expanding grommets that are used on aluminum boat seats and rails. They worked really well.
Posted on 5/5/19 at 4:09 pm to WPBTiger
Use a scrap piece of aluminum behind the hole. Screw through it and it will sandwich the old hole between the screw head and scrap piece.
Posted on 5/5/19 at 4:42 pm to WPBTiger
What you probably need is called a "blind rivet nut", they install like pop rivets, but have a threaded insert. They are available in many sizes and can be found a Harbor Freight, on Amazon, Summit Racing, etc. I have used them many times to repair what you describe.
This post was edited on 5/5/19 at 4:45 pm
Posted on 5/5/19 at 4:46 pm to EA6B
No way to get behind, reason a regular nut and bolt will not work. Limited to a screw
This post was edited on 5/5/19 at 4:57 pm
Posted on 5/5/19 at 4:50 pm to WPBTiger
(no message)
This post was edited on 5/5/19 at 4:51 pm
Posted on 5/5/19 at 5:02 pm to WPBTiger
A toothpick or something similar? That is what I do for cabinets.
Posted on 5/5/19 at 5:05 pm to WPBTiger
You do not have to get behind anything, the rivet is threaded like a nut. It is made for the exact scenario you describe. The rivet IS the nut. You drill out the pilot hole to the rivnut size diameter, place rivnut on tool, fasten the rivet similar to the same concept as a regular rivet, then tighten the bolt down into it.
Harbor freight sells a kit with multiple size rivnuts and the tool for like 20 bucks.
Harbor freight sells a kit with multiple size rivnuts and the tool for like 20 bucks.
Posted on 5/5/19 at 5:08 pm to CalcuttaTigah
quote:
A toothpick or something similar? That is what I do for cabinets.
Unless the aluminum is thick, a toothpick probably would not work. You have at least 3/4" of wood on most cabinet faces and frames to play with.
Posted on 5/5/19 at 5:23 pm to WPBTiger
Rivnuts are pretty much the only reasonable way
Posted on 5/5/19 at 5:25 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
You could use a wellnut also
Posted on 5/5/19 at 7:22 pm to WPBTiger
quote:
No way to get behind
Just a psa, the “blind” term refers to the fact that it’s not drilled all the way through.
Posted on 5/5/19 at 7:28 pm to CoolHand
The term “blind” means that you don’t have to have access to the other side, it does not mean that it is not drilled all the way through...
Posted on 5/5/19 at 7:34 pm to WPBTiger
Helicoils or keensert are other options. Without knowing more it is difficult to say what the best method would be.
Posted on 5/5/19 at 9:35 pm to MorningWood
That is another option as well.
As a matter of fact, alot of trolling motor bases on boats are (or were) held down via a the bolt being threaded into rubber well nuts.
I've had great luck with the rubber well nuts holding- even on holes that were jagged and deformed- because of how much they expand.
As a matter of fact, alot of trolling motor bases on boats are (or were) held down via a the bolt being threaded into rubber well nuts.
I've had great luck with the rubber well nuts holding- even on holes that were jagged and deformed- because of how much they expand.
Posted on 5/5/19 at 11:09 pm to slacker00
shite I forgot about helicoils. That's a better way to do it
Posted on 5/6/19 at 1:45 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
I assumed with it being aluminum that it'd be sheet and fairly thin.
If so, can you get helicoils that work for thin material like that? I always assumed they were only applicable in thick material like, say, a solid engine block with damaged threads.
That sort of application is the only one that I've used them, but by no means did I get elbow deep in my encyclopedia regarding their applications. I'm frequently assuming and making arses out of everybody.
Always interested when it comes to new-to-me info concerning special purpose fasteners; because as much crap as I shear off, booger up, and, generally speaking, frick up, knowledge of specialty fasteners like helicoils can save the day.
If so, can you get helicoils that work for thin material like that? I always assumed they were only applicable in thick material like, say, a solid engine block with damaged threads.
That sort of application is the only one that I've used them, but by no means did I get elbow deep in my encyclopedia regarding their applications. I'm frequently assuming and making arses out of everybody.
Always interested when it comes to new-to-me info concerning special purpose fasteners; because as much crap as I shear off, booger up, and, generally speaking, frick up, knowledge of specialty fasteners like helicoils can save the day.
This post was edited on 5/6/19 at 1:47 am
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