Rivet Nuts

Rivet nuts, also known as rivnuts or nutserts, give you a strong internal thread in thin sheet, tube or panel where you can only reach one side. Once set, they take a standard machine screw or bolt, so parts can be removed and refitted without stripping the thread. Our range covers M4 to M10 in zinc-plated steel, aluminium and stainless steel, with flanged, reduced and countersunk heads. Pair them with a rivet nut tool for quick, consistent fitting.

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What Are Rivet Nuts?

 

A rivet nut is a one-piece, internally threaded fastener that’s fitted blind, from one side of the work. As the tool draws the thread up, the body collapses behind the material and grips it tightly. This leaves a load-bearing thread you can use time and again. They’re widely used in sheet metal fabrication, vehicle bodywork, trailers, racking, signage and enclosures, anywhere a welded nut or tapped hole isn’t practical.

 

Choosing the Right Head Type

 

  • Flanged head: the wider flange spreads the load and stops the nut pushing through softer or oversized holes. It’s a good all-round choice.
  • Reduced head: a smaller, lower-profile head for a neater finish where space is tight.
  • Countersunk: sits flush in a countersunk hole, so mating parts can lie flat against the surface.
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Our rivet nuts have grooved bodies, which add grip and help stop them spinning in the hole once set.

 

Steel, Aluminium or Stainless Steel?

 

Zinc-plated steel rivet nuts offer the best strength for the price and suit most general fabrication. Aluminium is lighter and easier to set, and it’s ideal for aluminium sheet and lighter loads. Stainless steel gives the best corrosion resistance for outdoor, marine and food-grade work.

 

How to Fit a Rivet Nut

 

  1. Drill a clean hole to the recommended size using a sharp drill bit for metal.
  2. Thread the rivet nut onto the mandrel of your tool.
  3. Push it fully into the hole and squeeze or turn the tool until the body collapses.
  4. Unwind the mandrel, then fit your machine screw or bolt.
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Rivet Nut FAQs

 

What size hole do I need for a rivet nut?

 

It depends on the thread size and body type. Always check the hole size on the product page, because a hole that’s too big will let the nut spin.

 

Can I fit rivet nuts without a special tool?

 

You can in a pinch, using a bolt, nut and washer. For repeat jobs, a dedicated rivet nut tool is quicker and gives a far more reliable set.

 

What’s the difference between a rivet nut and a pop rivet?

 

A blind rivet joins materials permanently. A rivet nut adds a reusable thread, so you can unbolt the joint later.

 

Are rivnuts and nutserts the same thing?

 

Yes. Rivnut and Nutsert are brand names that have become everyday terms for rivet nuts.