Unimat T slot nuts

[mr68gts]

So, I do have some machining experience so I thought they first order of buisiness is to make some T nuts once the milling part of my Unimat shows up. I have not decided if I am going to make them in billet AL or out of steel. The machine is rather small so there is not a whole lot of pressure on the the T nuts. I may have them type 1 hard ano'd if I do them in aluminum. Out of steel, do I really need them heat treated? Probably not and would probably just send them out for black oxiding to control rust. The through hole will actually be tapped 6mm x 1.0. I just chose not to model the threads but they are on the print at least. I'll know for certain how they work out once I make the first batch of them before putting up the print however. And just in case anyone asks, (because many do lol) I used Solidworks to model the part.

[mklotz]

Aluminum T-nuts don't sound like a good idea. Don't thread them all the way through. It's too easy to forget and they become jacks to break the T-slots.

[Al8236]

Aluminum T-nuts don't sound like a good idea. Don't thread them all the way through. It's too easy to forget and they become jacks to break the T-slots.

Actually alum. works well in this area, I have a set made from 6160? (been years) and if you run the bolt through it will jack the threads out before breaking the T-slots. Just ask my son how this was found out!
I have been using them for years and have found them to be very serviceable.

[mklotz]

Actually alum. works well in this area, I have a set made from 6160? (been years) and if you run the bolt through it will jack the threads out before breaking the T-slots. Just ask my son how this was found out!
I have been using them for years and have found them to be very serviceable.

I'm very sure that, in the event of a crash, I don't want the clamps holding the part to have the ability to rip themselves loose from the T-nuts.

[tonyfoale]

Aluminum T-nuts don't sound like a good idea. Don't thread them all the way through. It's too easy to forget and they become jacks to break the T-slots.

I'm with Marv on both counts, both material and not screwing all the way through, although it would take a heavy hand or weak bed to break the T-slots.

[Peter Sanders]

Hi

For convenience, it is easier to thread all the way through. After threading "pinch" the last thread or two using a centre punch or similar. The commercial T-nuts are usually manufactured this way. T-nuts should always be used with a nut and stud not with a bolt into the t-nut. Also keep in mind the location of the T-nut. Wherever possible the T-nut should be under or as close as it can be to the item being clamped. Such positioning will minimise stress on the machine's T-slots.

Regards
Peter