How do people use those threaded brass inserts?

[NewBrewB]

I bought 4 of these:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OVHVGK/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

because I couldn't find the ones with a notch in one end. Now, I have exactly the problem I was afraid I would have. There is no way to grip it to twist the insert into the block of wood without damaging the threads. I'm thinking of wrapping it in a piece of cloth, pinching it in the vise, sawing across the end of it with a hack-saw, and then using a large flat-head screwdriver to twist it into my home-made faucet handles...

Anyone have a better 'bright idea?'

Thanks!~

 

[jonp9576]

i think your idea sounds ok.

 

[DrHops]

I just picked up a few of those last week at Lowes for around $1.60, with the notched side for a large bit screwdriver. I was going to drill a hole in half of a wooden spool attached to a $.99 vampire bust from Michaels, then insert the fitting. I drilled it out a little too big though and the fitting just fell straight in. All I did to fix it was to fill in the gap with wood glue. I put a little in, waited a few hours, then filled it to the top. So far it's working great.

So I guess to answer your question: just drill the hole a little too large, insert the fitting and fill around the edges with wood glue (or some other liquid adhesive), prop it so that it sits straight for a few hours and you'll be good to go.

 

[shroomzofdoom]

Not sure if this would work, but you could thread a bolt in with a stop nut. Then spin the stop nut down until it contacts the thread insert snugly. (think of the way the stop nut works on the adjustment screw on a regulator) Once that's in the insert, you can use the bolt to screw in the insert and then back out the bolt.

 

[P-J]

The insert has 'Female Threads that are 3/8"-16 UNC'. Just buy a 3/8"-16 unc bolt and a matching nut @ the hardware store. Clamp the bolt in you vice with the nut threaded on it and then thread the insert on the bolt. Use the nut to lock it in place and you are good to go.

Edit: I was 60 seconds too slow.

 

[nostalgia]

I've installed a LOT of these I never once used the slot. Well ok, once. But after stripping it out and a lot of swearing I stopped.

I take a 3/8" bolt and thread two nuts onto it, just far enough so the threaded insert can go all the way on. Then tighten the nuts against one another. This is what I know as a "jam nut", and it locks both nuts tightly on the bolt.

I put a little beeswax on the bolt's threads (you can use soap or just hope for the best), then thread the insert on the bolt. Then just use a ratchet or wrench on the bolt to drive the insert in.

Once the insert is driven home, just remove the bolt.

You can see how I do it in my video here. I start the insert on a mandrel in the lathe, but it's actually just a 3/8" bolt secured in the lathe.

Also the video got edited a bit out of order - skip to 3:55 if you want to see the jam nut tool I was talking about.

[youtube]67qoncKkYUs[/youtube]

-Joe

 

[NewBrewB]

Awesome replies! Seriously, this greatly improved my process. I had to buy a 11.5 mm drill bit to make the hole just a smidge larger but the bolt technique worked like a champ!

Actually, I didn't even need the nuts (hold the jokes) because the bolt head worked just as well. I used a 3/8" crescent wrench and VERY GENTLY tightened it down.

One side started to crack because I had already turned the handle and the side was thin. I stopped, backed it out (with the notches that were still on it from my previous experimentation) drilled the hole a bit larger by moving the bit around, and then tried again. My second insert worked just fine, in a block of wood before turning it on the lathe.

 

[nostalgia]

Yeah, if your bolt is short enough (cue more jokes) using the head (!) will work just fine.

Nice looking turning. American walnut?

-Joe