Stainless Captive nuts

[jon_bailey]

The instrument/steering console on my new boat is fixed through with 5 nuts and bolts, but it is not possible for one person to get to both sides to undo / tighten. So, I'd like to use some form of 'captive' nut so that I can simply botl through into the fibreglass bulkhead. I was thinking of using a stainless prong nut with the prongs flattened out and epoxied into the bulkhead. But, I cannot find reasonable priced stainless (A2 or A4) fixings.

I have looked at stainless Rivnuts, but these are too long and I am not sure how well they work in fibreglass.

So, basic question, does anyone know of a reasonable priced (cheap!) stainless alternative?

Thanks

Jon

 

[macd]

You could bond in the female part of interscrews (the two-part thingies often used for securing boat windows). Before bonding, flatten/roughen them with a file to help resist rotation.
If the loads aren't great and there#s a good depth in the material, you might even overbore the hole, fill with thickened epoxy, then simply tap to 5mm. Thread inserts in the latter would make a stronger, more durable job. Inserts are usually stainless, by the way.

 

[angelsson]

I recently resealed a couple of windows which were leaking a little, the were held in place by 24 s/s screws, the nuts were captive in a band strip running the same shape as the windows, into which of course the screws went into.
I contacted a firm recommended to me called http://www.seaclear.co.uk/ who supplied me with the captive 'nuts' which pressed into the strip to hold them, mine were 6mm, check them out for your needs, no connection except a satisfied customer.
Hope this helps

 

[captainboo]

Big Heads!

There are the following devices available in allsorts of different combinations designed to be glued/laminated as required. I have no idea on the price though.

http://www.bighead.co.uk/english/products/standardbigheads.html

 

[Seajet]

I think the phrase you're looking for is ' anchor ' nuts; these are secured on the other side of in your case the panel.

 

[David2452]

Fix it with ordinary SS full nuts and washers using a little grease on the machine screw. then use a little P38 over the nuts and prortuding screw thread, prepare the back with some acetate first. Provided you have access to do it once even if it takes two people it will work well, I frequently do it with dash panels for electronic kit.