Clipnuts offer a convenient way to secure the end of a bolt. Also known as speed nuts, they feature a hole and can be clipped onto the edge of sheet metal. Once in place, you can then drive a bolt through the center of the clipnut’s hole. The clipnut will lock the bolt in place to minimize movement. Here are six important things to consider when choosing a clipnut.
#1) Material
Clipnuts are available in different materials, such as aluminum and stainless steel. They both offer excellent resistance to corrosion. However, aluminum clipnuts weigh less than their steel counterparts, whereas steel clipnuts are stronger and more durable. You can find clipnuts made of other materials, but aluminum and stainless steel are two of the most common.
#2) Hole Size
You’ll need to consider the hole size when choosing a clipnuts. All clipnuts have a hole. As previously mentioned, the hole is designed to support a bolt. If the hole is too small, you won’t be able to fit the bolt in the clipnut. If the hole is too big, on the other hand, the bolt will become loose. To avoid problems such as these, choose a clipnut with an appropriate hole size for the bolt.
#3) Shape
Something else to consider when choosing a clipnut is the shape. Some clipnuts are U-shaped, whereas others are J-shaped. They both consist of a piece of metal with a hole in the center, and they are both used for the same purpose of securing the end of a bolt; they are simply shaped differently.
#4) Threaded vs Non-Threaded
There are threaded clipnuts, and there are non-threaded clipnuts. Threaded clipnuts feature a threaded hole, whereas non-threaded clipnuts have a smooth and round hole. You can use either of them to secure the end of a bolt. Threaded clipnuts offer greater security.
#5) Flat
You may come across flat clipnuts. As you drive a bolt through the center of a flat clipnut, the clipnut will compress. This compression will create a locking effect similar to other styles of clipnuts like U-shaped and J-shaped clipnut. The clipnut will flatten under the bolt’s load, thereby locking the bolt in place.
#6) Ease of Installation
Don’t forget to consider the ease of installation when choosing a clipnut. Some clipnuts are easier to install than others. Depending on the application, you might want to choose one that can be snapped on quickly. Quick installation can save you time and effort.
