What is the difference between rivet nuts and insert nut?

Hi friends! Have you ever wondered what the difference between rivet nuts and insert nuts is? Both these kinds of fasteners are some useful weapons that help us lot in sticking two or more things together. Today, Ill go over what they are and the pros/cons to them along with how you can choose one to work on for your projects. Are you ready? Let’s go. 

What are rivet nuts and insert nuts? 

Before that we have to know what actually rivet nuts and insert nuts are. Both these elements aid in fastening materials including metal, plastic, and wood. Rivet nuts (or threaded inserts as some people call them) have a unique hole located in the center. Inside this hole are threads—glistening little grooves that permit a screw or bolt to sit comfortably inside of it. With this, you can easily get a good bond between the two materials. 

Next, we move on to insert nuts. Similar to rivet nuts, insert nuts also have threading inside them. What this translates to is even a bolt or screw can connect with them. They serve a similar purpose, though the installation process is different. This will give us a better perspective on which one is good for all situations. 

Pros and Challenges of Rivet Nuts and Insert Nuts 

Last but not least, what are the pros and cons of rivet nuts and insert nuts? Benefits of Rivet Nuts: There are a lot of benefits provided by the rivet nuts. They are very simple to install so you can set them up in no time. They are capable of working with a range of materials – metal, plastic and even wood – enabling their versatility. They also offer excellent bonding strength, which makes them ideal for projects requiring high adhesion. This is especially critical if the materials are going to shake, rattle or roll. 

Yet, rivet nuts comes with many cons too. They can be slightly pricier than insert nuts, however. Moreover, they are also difficult to install and you will need some special tools to install them correctly. That being said, if you do not have the right tools it might be hard to use them. 

Insert nuts, however, have their own advantages and disadvantages. Insert nuts are much cheaper than rivet nuts, which makes them one of the greatest things for most people. This makes them easier to use for many since they do not require any special installation tools. Like rivet nuts, they can also be used in many materials. 

However, be wary because there are also aspects of insert nuts that you must consider. They may not be as robust and reliable as a rivet nut can be when it comes to providing a solid attachment method. These can become loose over time if not installed correctly as well. Which is especially true when they are used in areas with higher amounts of vibration or movement? 

Difference Between Rivet Nuts and Insert Nuts 

Now, vector nuts or insert nuts, how different are they? The main difference between them is how you install them. Installation of rivet nuts requires a slightly more specialized tool that pulls a part through the centre of the nut. This turns the nut tightens up and compresses the sides. This is essential for developing a better grip. 

Installing insert nuts is quite simple. You literally screw them straight into the material, and it threads just enough to make an internal thread so you can fasten the materials together. This is why insert nuts are ideal for so many DIY jobs where you may not have the luxury of specialist tools. 

The Rivet Nuts vs Insert Nuts: we have made comparison on technical differences between them 

Some of the differences are more technical and warrant understanding. In the case of rivet nuts as opposed to insert nuts, for example, they can obviously be larger. This helps as a larger size one among the smaller sizes for jobs that require bigger space to accommodate everything. They're frequently more robust, which provides additional strength and endurance. That means they have higher durability and are more resilient. 

However, an insert nut can be thinner. That thinner form factor makes the install easier and takes up less space overall, which is a huge asset when you're in tight spots. While not strong as rivet nuts, they are a well-suited option for various applications. 

Considerations for Selecting Rivet or Insert Nuts 

With the background you have on rivet nuts and insert nuts, how do you select one or both for your applications? Let's start with the most obvious: the material itself On the other hand, if you are using a thin or flimsy material, then opting for a rivet nut may be more reasonable. It provides extra support and is less likely to ruin the material. This is relevant because you want your project to be strong and not damage materials that you are working on. 

In case you deal with a thicker or tougher material, insert nut would be better in use. That's because insert nuts offer a reliable connection with far less structural support. 

And the other consideration is where that joint or connection is. For a tight joint that is difficult to access, or where you want it to be very tight, then consider using a rivet nut. Their one-sided installation without the need to access the other side of the door is really convenient. However, if the joint ends up somewhere accessible or does not need a super tight seal, then insert nut may be good enough.