rivet nut question

[byron w]

Is aluminum rivet nuts the best thing to use in fiberglass or is steel ok?
All help appreciated very much!

Byron W

[LodiWino]

I used aluminum, the steel version would not collapse and pull up tight using my installation tool.

[lippy]

I'd use aluminum. If you used steel, the force required to collapse the RivNut could damage the fiberglass. On my ERA, they used aluminum RivNuts exclusively, even in steel structural members, for what it's worth.

[RICK LAKE]

Byron W Byron Aluminium inserts are fine. Down side is over time the steel and aluminium corrides togeather. Add a thin coat of antoseize to the hole or bolt and they will seperate. I have seen inserts spin in the holes and drilling them out is a pain in the @$$. I do think that steel serts are for steel and aluminiums are for aluminium. Steel are a pain to put in but last for life and stay tight in their holes. I have 25 year old serts that work fine in all kinds of weather. Again no loctite. Good luck. Rick L.

[vector1]

I've used steel rivnuts on fiberglass, no problems.

[Clois Harlan]

Ditto on the steel rivets. I have used both. The steel is easier to use with a pneumatic rivet gun.

[Barry Bissonnet]

I have used steel rivets nuts all thoughout my cobra w/o any issue. I picked up from Northern Tool their rivet nut hand tool and a selction of different size rivet nuts. just don't sqeeze too hard on the rivet tool or you will strip out the threads on the rivet nut. McMaster-Carr online has a great selection of differnrt types and styles of rivet nuts and rivit studs.