Hi all,
I'm in the process of assembling my cabinets for a nice pair of floorstanders. I'd like to make the back panel easily removable - preferably without using screws direct into MDF, as I expect that eventually, with numerous opening and closings, it will eventually strip the inside thread from the MDF.
So what alternatives does everyone use for securely attaching a fairly heavy back panel?
Apparently there are specialty biscuits around that allow for it, but I can't find them anywhere (googling gives lots of hits on the Ice Vo Vo type of biscuit and little on the sort of specialty biscuits I'm looking for)
Thanks guys
I'm in the process of assembling my cabinets for a nice pair of floorstanders. I'd like to make the back panel easily removable - preferably without using screws direct into MDF, as I expect that eventually, with numerous opening and closings, it will eventually strip the inside thread from the MDF.
So what alternatives does everyone use for securely attaching a fairly heavy back panel?
Apparently there are specialty biscuits around that allow for it, but I can't find them anywhere (googling gives lots of hits on the Ice Vo Vo type of biscuit and little on the sort of specialty biscuits I'm looking for)
Thanks guys
Peruse the McMaster-Carr website, there are only three fasteners known to man that are not in their inventory! (Humor for those from Manchester.) You should be able to figure out what you want to use and then locate it a bit closer.
Those threaded inserts are exactly the sort of thing that I wanted - I assume that T-nuts are much the same thing, just with a different way of gripping the surrounding material.
Are there any relative strengtsh/weaknesses of each that would be handy for me to be forewarned about? From the looks of it, a threaded insert looks more prone to slipping inside the hole... does it need to be glued in?
To install, I guess I drill a pilot hole through the back panel and into the cabinet where the insert will go, then drill out a large enough hole for the insert or t-nut to fit in.
Are there any relative strengtsh/weaknesses of each that would be handy for me to be forewarned about? From the looks of it, a threaded insert looks more prone to slipping inside the hole... does it need to be glued in?
To install, I guess I drill a pilot hole through the back panel and into the cabinet where the insert will go, then drill out a large enough hole for the insert or t-nut to fit in.
Threaded inserts as shown by Zia are your best bet, It would pobably only take one screwing an unscrewing to screw MDF.
dave
dave
aka zman01
That is about how many uses you'll get if you try to screw directly into the mdf.
dave
Billyo,
I am attaching a close up of a typical threaded insert - please note that the "nose" of the insert is slightly narrower than the body. For the hole for the insert, make sure it's big enough for the nose of the insert to drop in a few mm but then rest of it is tight enough for the threads to get a grip into the MDF. Also make sure that you drop the insert straight - if it is at an angle, then the whole insert will get screwed in at an angle. When you are sure that you have the threaded insert straight and the threads have a bit of grip so that when you screw it bites in the MDF and starts to go in, use the right size of Allen key/hex key to screw in. Make sure that the insert goes in fully, no harm if it goes in extra 1-2 mm; if a part of it is sticking out, you might not have a good seal for the back panel.
I also suggest practicing on some spare MDF a few times till you get the hang of it.
A tool like the dowel master can be helpful to get the spacing right and screw holes straight.
-Zia
I am attaching a close up of a typical threaded insert - please note that the "nose" of the insert is slightly narrower than the body. For the hole for the insert, make sure it's big enough for the nose of the insert to drop in a few mm but then rest of it is tight enough for the threads to get a grip into the MDF. Also make sure that you drop the insert straight - if it is at an angle, then the whole insert will get screwed in at an angle. When you are sure that you have the threaded insert straight and the threads have a bit of grip so that when you screw it bites in the MDF and starts to go in, use the right size of Allen key/hex key to screw in. Make sure that the insert goes in fully, no harm if it goes in extra 1-2 mm; if a part of it is sticking out, you might not have a good seal for the back panel.
I also suggest practicing on some spare MDF a few times till you get the hang of it.
A tool like the dowel master can be helpful to get the spacing right and screw holes straight.
-Zia
Attachments
They keep warehouses in the US so just about every city can order at 5😛M and get it standard delivery the next day! As they carry the parts need to repair just about anything, they are one of the secrets to keeping a manufacturing plant running.
Yes they will take your money and ship almost anywhere!
Hmmm... bought a few t-nuts (since I couldnt find any threaded inserts) and found that they tended to split the mdf and didnt grip that well anyway.
Looks like I'll need to import some of those threaded insert thingies from that excellent McMasters store - since its impossible to find them locally.
Looks like I'll need to import some of those threaded insert thingies from that excellent McMasters store - since its impossible to find them locally.
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Try here
Threaded Inserts - The Wood Works Book & Tool Co.
or maybe Blackwoods
Blackwoods | All Your Workplace Needs
Threaded Inserts - The Wood Works Book & Tool Co.
or maybe Blackwoods
Blackwoods | All Your Workplace Needs
You could also use barrel nuts, they kinda look the the hole in the legs of a 3 pin wallplugand then the hole is also threaded, this is where the screw goes through, so you have two holes meeting each other at 90 degrees, one with the round pin with the hole in and the other takes the screw from outside.
I ordered 4 fully threaded aluminium rods - 1m long.
The size is specified as 10-24 thread which is an M5 metric equivalent.
Thanks again Simon7000 for the great website.
The size is specified as 10-24 thread which is an M5 metric equivalent.
Thanks again Simon7000 for the great website.
McMasters actually cancelled my order shortly after receiving it - saying that they dont deal with OS clients anymore except in special circumstances! I'm actually glad, because I think the order initially hit my credit card with around $50 in postage!
Anyway... had a look at that Blackwoods site (thanks Blacsheep!) and they had these interesting things which they called "Threaded Inserts"
http://www2.blackwoods.com.au/infoBANKProduct.aspx?SG=2000165&S=4084691&G=2003644&P=7119841
they look like springs that are inserted into the hole somehow and then it springs outwards and locks - the coils of the spring presumably match up with the thread of a bolt...
Anyone used something like them?
Anyway... had a look at that Blackwoods site (thanks Blacsheep!) and they had these interesting things which they called "Threaded Inserts"
http://www2.blackwoods.com.au/infoBANKProduct.aspx?SG=2000165&S=4084691&G=2003644&P=7119841
they look like springs that are inserted into the hole somehow and then it springs outwards and locks - the coils of the spring presumably match up with the thread of a bolt...
Anyone used something like them?
McMaster Carr is an industrial supplier and I used to never mention them as they really did not want to deal with oncy orders from low volume customers with lots of questions. They did not even send catalogs to small accounts as the catalogs cost them around $50.00 each!
When they went to the internet, they seemed to be able to handle the oncies but apparently they have learned about the never arrived problem of overseas shipping. (That has cost me a few hundred on eBay!)
So it may be to look up what you need on their website and look for it closer. But if they are the only source I suspect there are industrial accounts locally who may let you piggyback a few items, especially if you offer to help with shipping!
When they went to the internet, they seemed to be able to handle the oncies but apparently they have learned about the never arrived problem of overseas shipping. (That has cost me a few hundred on eBay!)
So it may be to look up what you need on their website and look for it closer. But if they are the only source I suspect there are industrial accounts locally who may let you piggyback a few items, especially if you offer to help with shipping!
Those things are intended to be used on metal parts not wood, much less MDF.
You can find threaded inserts in building supply stores, in hardware section (Home Depot etc.)
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