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T-nuts; heat treat or not?

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T-nuts; heat treat or not?
Pete O Offline
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#1
09-18-2017, 04:22 AM
I'm making some T-nuts out of a chunk of forklift tyne- presumed 4140- wondering whether I should heat-treat them when done or if I'm best leaving the material as-is to avoid making the threads brittle? They'll be threaded 1/2-13 UNC to match some existing hardware and set aside for use on the shaper.
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SteveG Offline
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#2
09-18-2017, 05:52 AM
If you haven't annealed the material before starting I'd leave it as it is - its probably already a nice balance of hardness/toughness.

Steve
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Vinny Online
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#3
09-18-2017, 09:13 PM
I made a number of T nuts and just used 1018.
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Mayhem Offline
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#4
10-24-2017, 08:17 AM
I doubt the ubiquitous Chinese ones we all use are anything more than 1018...
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TomG Offline
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EdK (10-24-2017)
#5
10-24-2017, 02:24 PM
I like to harden any tools I make. It makes them much more durable, especially in the case of tee-nuts, which take quite a beating in use. Just be sure to temper them after hardening so they aren't brittle.

Tom
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kwoodhands Offline
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schor (11-03-2017)
#6
11-03-2017, 04:54 PM
(09-18-2017, 04:22 AM)Pete O Wrote: I'm making some T-nuts out of a chunk of forklift tyne- presumed 4140- wondering whether I should heat-treat them when done or if I'm best leaving the material as-is to avoid making the threads brittle? They'll be threaded 1/2-13 UNC to match some existing hardware and set aside for use on the shaper.

I wouldn't bother to heat treat unless you will give them heavy use. I have made T-Nuts from CRS, even aluminum for light duty work holding. I use an aluminum T-Nut to hold a indicator on the mill. I threaded one end of a 3/8 shaft to fit the T-Nut. The indicator bracket slides over it and locks at any height. 
If you make T-Nuts, make sure  you deform the thread at the bottom , prevents the studs from chewing up the mill slot. Store bought T-Nuts are made that way. I do this with a hammer and cape chisel. 

mike
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EdK Offline
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#7
11-03-2017, 05:24 PM
(11-03-2017, 04:54 PM)kwoodhands Wrote: I wouldn't bother to heat treat unless you will give them heavy use. I have made T-Nuts from CRS, even aluminum for light duty work holding. I use an aluminum T-Nut to hold a indicator on the mill. I threaded one end of a 3/8 shaft to fit the T-Nut. The indicator bracket slides over it and locks at any height. 
If you make T-Nuts, make sure  you deform the thread at the bottom , prevents the studs from chewing up the mill slot. Store bought T-Nuts are made that way. I do this with a hammer and cape chisel. 

mike

Good tips Mike.

Oh, and Welcome to the forum.

Ed
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