Threaded insert into stabilized wood?

oldanvilyoungsmith

oldanvilyoungsmith

Joined
Feb 7, 2011
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Had anyone ever used a knife type threaded insert for this application? I've got an idea in my head, but I need to be able to thread bolts into the wood handle; hence the need for inserts, but I'm not sure if stabilized is too hard for the inserts, or if they'll cut into just fine without wanting to crack it.

Thanks, Stephen.
 
Splitting can be a problem.
Make the hole a bit larger than for non-stabilized wood.
Use a tap to pre-cut the threads …. if you have one that matches the threads of the insert.
Go slow and back it out every turn or so.

Unless the bolts will be put in and out dozens of times, it is often easier to just drill and tap the wood for the bolts. After drilling and tapping, flood with thin CA and let the excess drain out. Re-tap and the threaded holes will last a good long time. Use longer bolts if possible.
 
View attachment 1147836 I have successfully used stainless Helicoils in Valox and and G-10 handles. It should work well in stabilized wood. You need a Helicoil kit in the thread size you are using. Three special items are included in the kit: 1) a special tap drill for the Helicoil tap, 2) the Helicoil tap, and 3) an insertion tool. The inserts come in various sizes expressed as a ratio of length to diameter.
Here is a picture of some inserts, a Helicoil tap, an insertion tool, and a tang breaker for a #2X52TPI pocket clip screw. In the smaller sizes the insertion tool and the tang breaker are separate items. Not pictured is the proper drill for the Helicoil tap.
The 2 pronged fork at the end of the insertion tool drops over the tang on the insert allowing it to be twisted into the specially tapped hole. The diameter of the coil is reduced during the insertion process so that outward pressure of the coil keeps it tight in the hole. When the coil is snug, the tang is snapped off.
This set up does not work well in blind holes.
 
Thanks for the input fellas. I'm leaning towards using metal thread inserts (Like helicoils), and gluing them into the threads I put in the handle.
 
You could just get a pair of steel or aluminum pillars, like you would use for pillar bedding a rifle into a stock. Then you could thread the inside. I plan on using them for take down knives so the butt cap screw cinches up against metal instead of the handle material.

Then again I’m not quite sure I fully understand what you’re going for. Do you basically just need a tube with threads on the inside? Or on both the inside and out?
 
Where do uno find those pillars and do they already have a hole the center?
JG Custom Metal Works said:
You could just get a pair of steel or aluminum pillars, like you would use for pillar bedding a rifle into a stock. Then you could thread the inside. I plan on using them for take down knives so the butt cap screw cinches up against metal instead of the handle material.

Then again I’m not quite sure I fully understand what you’re going for. Do you basically just need a tube with threads on the inside? Or on both the inside and out?
Click to expand...
 
Making your own might be better as those appear to have no “bottom” that the nut would contact
JG Custom Metal Works said:
Yes. They have channels on the sides too so they can be glued into material. They’re made to be glued into a bolt action rifle stock where the action screws go through. But I’m thinking of using them on a take down hidden tang knife, or making my own. Would be easy to make on a lathe.

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...sleeves/pillar-bedding-sleeves-prod22892.aspx
Click to expand...
 
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