Rivet Nuts To Secure Linear Rails

[Sterob]

Have been thinking about mounting linear rails to steel square tube.
Does everyone rely on the thickness of the tube being enough to tap threads into or are other methods used.
I know I could weld some flat bar on top of the tube and get that machined flat.

I was wondering if anyone has used Rivet Nuts?
I would think they would be alot quicker than tapping a million threads in the tube.
I would counter bore the tube to allow the Rivet Nut to sit flush with the top of the tube.

Good idea or a waste of time?

Know a better way?

Steve

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[Jim Dawson]

If the tube wall is about the same as the screw diameter then threading the tube will be fine. But, I don't see anything wrong with using rivet nuts.

I'm about ready to build a plasma table, and will be using 1/4 (~6mm) wall tubing, I plan on tapping the mounting holes for both the rails and racks. But I will be drilling/tapping on a CNC mill, so will be pretty easy for me. If I had to do it by hand I might rethink the process.

[awerby]

I doubt the tube will really be flat enough to install rails on directly. And I'd worry about deforming the tube when tightening the nuts. But there is a friction-drilling and tapping system that melts the steel enough to create space for more threads than will fit in the thickness of the tube; you might consider it as an alternative: https://www.ipro.si/upload/articles_...1503317476.pdf

[Sterob]

I doubt the tube will really be flat enough to install rails on directly. And I'd worry about deforming the tube when tightening the nuts. But there is a friction-drilling and tapping system that melts the steel enough to create space for more threads than will fit in the thickness of the tube; you might consider it as an alternative: https://www.ipro.si/upload/articles_...1503317476.pdf

I'd get the section machined flat before I did this.

[gully]

Hi Sterob,
I have had no issues using rivnuts to attach rails down to thin walled tube.
You will need to shim the rails as required as steel tube is never flat.

Gully