THREADED INSERTS & ACCESSORIES

There are many applications where a machine thread is required in wood. Threaded inserts belong to a category of hardware known as 'knock down fittings' and are useful because any assembly put together with them can be dismantled and reassembled at will with no damage to materials. They are therefore perfect for prototypes, jigs and permanent assemblies which are more rarely broken down but which require this feature as a part of their design brief.

We offer inserts in FLANGED or UN-FLANGED styles in ZINC ALLOY, SOLID BRASS or ZINC PLATED STEEL in ascending order of strength and for two thread standards METRIC and UNC/WHITWORTH. Flanged inserts may require a countersink in the insertion hole to seat flush.  They cannot be driven past flush with a surface whereas un-flanged inserts can be driven below a surface and be ganged in multiples to offer greater holding capacity. The few punch fit Fin Serts are included to complete the range although finding fasteners other than 5/32 Whit/UNC will be difficult in Australia.

Brass Un-Slotted Drive METRIC & UNC	Brass Slotted Drive UNC	Brass Slotted Metric	Zinc Alloy Un-Flanged METRIC & UNC
Zinc Alloy - Flanged METRIC & UNC	Steel Flanged - 3 Fin METRIC	Steel Flanged - 1 Fin METRIC	Steel UnFlanged - 1 Fin METRIC
Steel Flanged - 3 Fin UNC	Steel Flanged - 1 Fin UNC	Steel - Un Flanged - 1 Fin  UNC	Brass UNC Press-Fit

INTERNAL THREAD

Thread options internally are standards applicable world wide and either METRIC measured in millimetres or INCH sizes in UNC/WHITWORTH.  They are incompatible with each other.

(UNC = Unified Coarse is a standard principally used in America and confusingly uses wire gauge numbers for sizes under 1/4 inch.  What we in Australia may know as a 3/16th inch machine screw may be referred to as a 10--24 in US publications - i.e. a 10 gauge screw with 24 teeth to the inch. Note also in this context the term gauge refers to a Standard Wire Gauge measure and whilst measurable in either millimetres or inches is its own measure).

EXTERNAL 'THREAD' or FINS

The external threads on these inserts do not follow any standard that I am aware of. The brass and steel variants have sharp fins optimised for holding in wood. The steel are either single or triple finned. The triple have a greater area of contact with the wood and feed quicker during insertion.  See below for our fabricated taps which assist with insertion.

THREAD PITCH

Thread pitch is a measure of the distance between adjacent teeth. Metric pitches are simply measured in millimetres,  UNC/Whitworth pitch is a count of the number of threads to an inch of the screw.

Standard Metric Coarse (there is a Metric Fine - rarely encountered) are as follows:

• M3 x 0.5mm
• M4 x 0.7mm
• M5 x 0.8mm
• M6 x 1.0mm
• M8 x 1.25mm
• M10 x 1.5mm
• M12 x 1.75mm

INSERTION

All inserts are best seated using a mandrel. The zinc and steel versions can be seated using an allen key although experience suggests a mandrel is a better option.  We do not suggest the use of a screwdriver which may damage the insert in brass slotted inserts. Zinc alloy versions are relatively soft and again are best seated with a mandrel.

The root diameter is the diameter of the insert at the bottom of the external teeth and is the minimum diameter of the drilled insertion hole required.

The insertion hole diameter is often slightly varied to accommodate harder woods

Inserts can be inserted at an angle.  A pre-drilled, angled, landing flat assists with this, drilled with either a forstner or spade bit.

Given a long enough insertion mandrel it is possible to gang 2 inserts together for greater holding strength.  It may be wise to have a machine tap to finish the job. You can seat the inserts with a little adhesive taking care not to get glue on the internal threads.

STANDARD MANDRELS - FABRICATED

See HERE

For those users who may find it difficult to source long set screws (a SET SCREW is a full thread BOLT) we offer standard mandrels in sizes M4 through M12 and 4 imperial thread sizes. We offer some mandrels for use with an internal hex key drive

This is the suggested rig for setting all inserts. You can use a ratchet handle in lieu of the hex detent shank drive adapter illustrated below. Be sure the washer is used in reverse, polished side against the insert. A dab of oil internally on the insert can also ease release of the mandrel. The pair of jamb nuts assist with releasing of the mandrel when the insert is seated.

DEEP DRIVE MANDRELS

Have a removable, toothless, root diameter insert blank located on a mandrel after the insert(s) which allows the insertion of inserts below level - see HERE 

Hint: Buy a DEEP DRIVE mandrel and by rearranging the order of the nuts you get the components of both a standard and a deep drive mandrel.

FACTORY MADE INSERT MANDRELS

We offer 5 rapid action insertion, factory made mandrels for brass slot drive inserts.  These offer a slip-on, slip-off action and they have a detented sprung ball bearing to hold the insert in place when engaged with the wings  - SEE HERE

Hex Detent Drive Shank Metric Insertion Drivers

We offer metric hex driver tips for Zinc Alloy and Steel mandrels. Note the UNC inserts are driven with metric drivers - an example of the creeping metrification of the USA.

Available in 4,5,6 and 8mm A/F - see HERE

INSERT TAP ASSEMBLIES - NOSED and PLAIN - FABRICATED

We make to order Insert tap options for brass inserts. This allows for the proprietary external thread of the insert to be pre-tapped into the wood. Two variants available - either with a toothless, root diameter, full length nose insert to assist with alignment or, for stopped applications, a set screw with an insert loc-tited to the tip   These do not disassemble. For use with brass inserts.

See HERE

See HERE

Some Insert Dimensions and drill selection:

Note; Due to supply issues we occasionally source inserts with varying external dimensions.  If you are not equipped to manage these variations please confirm the dimensions of current stock before purchase.

THREADED INSERTS - GERMAN MADE RAMPA

German made RAMPA plated steel inserts available in 34 variants across 3 Metric and 3 UNC Ranges, in flanged and un-flanged with 1 or 3 external 'threads' of sharp fins designed for use in wood and composites.

Threaded inserts belong in a broad category of hardware known as 'knock down fasteners', have a very wide application and are typically used when wood assemblies are required to be able to be dis-assembled and re-assembled.  Threaded inserts allow the repeated use of any compatible machine screw or bolt with no wear or damage to the components.

Rampa inserts are all able to be seated with an appropriate diameter hex key or by using mandrel assemblies fabricated from standard set screws, jamb nuts and a washer.

See HERE for an extensive data sheet.

Search on our site using the ITEM CODE

BRASS THREADED INSERTS WITH INSERTION MANDREL SLOT - USA MADE

Click HERE for a data sheet with links to over 160 of our specialised fasteners

 See HERE for a data sheet with links to over 160 of our specialised fasteners

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