Re: [alfa] "Captive nuts" (nutserts)

[Jeff Matson <jsm8@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I used a few of these Nutserts this past weekend with good success, even 
though I didn't have the insertion tool.  The patient needing the 
threaded inserts was an aluminum bicycle frame.  The manufacturer forgot 
to add the threaded bosses for attaching water bottles - long story, but 
it was a free frame from a sponsor, so we fixed it rather than returning 
it, and they provided the Nutserts but not the installation tool.
I found them easy to install and they are working very well.  Nutserts 
(at least those I used) are aluminum and have a knurled outer diameter 
to help them grip the surrounding hole as they expand.  They work best 
when installed in similarly soft metals where the knurl digs in a bit 
for grip, though since they're not meant to be high strength the torque 
resistance shouldn't be a big factor.  Those I used compressed squarely 
and gripped well, so I can certainly recommend this brand for Alfa use 
(the bicycle frame I used them on costs as much as a lot of used Alfas 
today).  Another install tip is to drill the hole a bit small and 
enlarge it to size (test fit with the insert) with a rough file.  The 
slightly uneven hole you will end up with also provides extra grip for 
the insert to resist spinning.

Jeff Matson
Harvard, MA
'74 GTV 2000
--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided