Rivets vs threaded fasteners

[JamesCH95]

Originally Posted by Loose Screw

That's why I've decided that we're going to use red loctite on anything that seems like it might come undone. However, we can't access every little nook and cranny, so we'll have to use pop rivits for areas like that.

My advice: Loctite nuts and bolts for easy-access areas, and then pop rivets for areas that you can't reach one side. Just make sure they press together everything tightly for the pop rivets.

Are you sure this is a wise course of action? Red loctite can be (a) totally useless if the threads are cleaned a de-greased first and (b) the worst of both rivets and threaded fasteners (unservicable and difficult to drill out). I would suggest FRESH nylok nuts

Originally Posted by philso

I would like to get our CAD guys to design using these. The difficulty is with installing them properly without the proper equipment (like what we have at work). The best may be to find a sheet metal sponsor who can install them properly. The downside with the cinch nuts is that a ham-fisted team members can inadvertently "punch one out" leading to a hard-to-fix situation since they can be installed in inaccessible locations.

We have had great luck installing PEM nuts with a machine vise, and a 1-ton arbor press can be had for <$100.

When PEM nuts have been popped out we have had good luck with holding the nut in place with pliers and re-cinching it with a light-duty cordless impact driver. It only takes a few moments, and can even be used to install the PEM nut in certain circumstances.

We are careful to use riv-nuts in truly 'blind' applications and PEM nuts in more accessible locations, where a press/clamp/pliers can get to.