work on cutlass bearing case

[gary3029]

I have a boat which has a cutlass bearing case attached to the deadwood by two screws, these can be VERY difficult to undo. Does anyone know if the following will be possible?
Could I insert/fix two metal sleeve into the deadwood, that are threaded internally, so that I can attach the cutlass bearing case to the deadwood with bolts. If possible where would I get said sleeves/tubes ( whatever they are called!!)

 

[Poignard]

If you mean Thread Repair Inserts e.g Helicoil etc. I have this arrangement on my boat and it has given no trouble, so far.

Try Uni-Thread Ltd.
tel 01803 559595
www.uni-thread.com

 

[pampas]

Go to a major wholesales/trade marine wharehouse and they should stock the following, its has a coarse wood screw on one end and a imp/metric the other. Screwfix of Yeovil do them but only in brass I think that is what you mean. I have two 1/2" whit for spare and may not need them, they may be to large for your installation.

 

[supermalc]

You could replace them with 2 coach screws (not bolts). Wicks, Screwfix etc. sell them. Screws with square nut heads. If the screws are countersunk you may have to countersink the inside of the head to fit, or make a suitable washer.

 

[Topcat47]

I solved a similar problem many years ago in GRP using those nutserts favoured by the furniture industry, Basically a brass sleeve with a 6mm internal thread and a huge coarse external thread. Bore out the wood to 8mm and, using a 6mm nut and bolt (the nut locks the arrangement together) you can screw the insert directly into the wood using a socket set.

I got mine from Screwfix back then but I can't remember the correct term for them.

I'd not use helicoil directly into wood, myself. Not even if it were good seasoned hardwood and especially if it were oak.

 

[robind]

I dont reccomend helicoils into fibreglass either as I have them on my boat and as they aren`t "suitable steel" have rusted and swollen splitting the moulding! Be careful inserting the screw assembly into your boat by drilling a suitably sised (I`m sure you know that anyway!) pilot hole and I would fit them in with araldite so as to prevent (as much as possible) and water ingress down the thread or perhaps even suitable sikkens. Its not now or the immediate future its later on!

 

[Topcat47]

That was why I used the nutserts. I got a cheque from PBO for my suggestion and they've been no trouble since then. I smeared the outside with Fernox LSX, a silicone sealant used in the plumbing industry, and covered the studs in Teflon Grease. Every lift out, the studs come out and new grease added. So far not problems. I even fitted them to hold my rudder strap in place.