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Thread: Unimat T slot nuts

  1. #1

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    mr68gts's Tools

    Unimat T slot nuts

    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.
    Unimat T slot nuts-unimattslotnut-vi.jpg

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    Last edited by mr68gts; Feb 20, 2017 at 12:59 PM.

  2. #2
    Supporting Member mklotz's Avatar
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    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.

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    mr68gts (Feb 21, 2017), Paul Jones (Feb 20, 2017)

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    Supporting Member Al8236's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mklotz View Post
    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.
    From the time you're born till' you ride in a hearse, there's nothing so bad it couldn't be worse!

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    mr68gts (Feb 21, 2017)

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    Supporting Member tonyfoale's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mklotz View Post
    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.

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    Paul Jones (Feb 21, 2017)

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    Thanks mr68gts! We've added your T Slot Nots to our Miscellaneous category,
    as well as to your builder page: mr68gts's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:




  9. #6
    Supporting Member mklotz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Al8236 View Post
    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.
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    Regards, Marv

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    That looks about right - Mediocrates

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    Paul Jones (Feb 21, 2017)

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    Peter Sanders's Tools
    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



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