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How to Install a Nut on a GI Flat Sheet?

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(@fgvillegas)
Posts: 117
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Hi Guys,

I need to screw something on a GI flat sheet. If I were to use a nut under the flatsheet, the nut should stay in place so it won't fall when I remove the bolt. There is no way to hold the nut while removing the bolt. The thing is, I want to avoid welding the nut as much as possible for some reasons.

Is there an alternative way to do it? Will steel epoxy be effective even if it is subjected to some amount of heat (e.g., engine heat)?

Is there a type of screw (stainless is preferred) that can be installed on a GI flat sheet that will hold firmly even without a nut?

I don't know the gauge of the flat sheet but it is almost as thick as the cardboard at the back of pad papers.

If you have other suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks,

 
Posted : 01/03/2010 1:39 pm
bbn
 bbn
(@bbn)
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Re: How to Install a Nut on a GI Flat Sheet?

Steel epoxy might work. I've seen special blends that show them being used on engine blocks.

Do you really need the nut? Can't you use those screws for fastening GI sheets to purlins? Haven't seen any made of stainless steel though.

 
Posted : 08/03/2010 12:13 pm
(@fgvillegas)
Posts: 117
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Re: How to Install a Nut on a GI Flat Sheet?

Steel epoxy might work. I've seen special blends that show them being used on engine blocks.

Do you really need the nut? Can't you use those screws for fastening GI sheets to purlins? Haven't seen any made of stainless steel though.

i went to ace hardware last weekend and saw this steel epoxy made by cord. it says that it can handle heat up to 250 deg celcius. and i'm considering this also. although, my hangup is that, if not glued properly, the excess might affect the thread of the nut and i might not be able to put the bolt properly.

i'm not familiar with the screw for fastening gi sheets. i don't know how it looks like. so i can't tell if it will work. i would appreciate if you could show me a pic of it.

what is important to me is that, i could place and replace the bolt without holding the nut because the nut wouldn't be accessible at all once everything is in place.

thanks.

 
Posted : 08/03/2010 4:29 pm
(@fgvillegas)
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Re: How to Install a Nut on a GI Flat Sheet?

one thing that i'm considering is something similar to this:

i could bore a hole in the GI sheet, then bolt the above item into it. now i can also place the bolt in the hole in the middle since there is a thread.

I just need to know where I can buy one. I actually have one at home but I don't know where I got it. Only, I need something a little smaller to fit a 12mm bolt into it.

 
Posted : 08/03/2010 5:26 pm
bbn
 bbn
(@bbn)
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Re: How to Install a Nut on a GI Flat Sheet?

You can see the screw I mentioned in any hardware store, just tell them is it for attaching GI sheets to purlins and they'll know what to give you. There are several sizes from 1" to 3" or more.

If you go the epoxy way, just put wax on the bolt and use it to hold the nut while the epoxy sets. Any wax will do really, the important thing is to have the thread completely covered with wax. Epoxy will not bond to the wax.

The insert looks expensive but most of all if the GI sheet is not thick the insert would probably also turn when the bolt is tightened and you might get a loose-thread situation.

I'd try the epoxy first. Make sure you sand the area where the nut will be attached as well as the nut itself. Also, don't tighten the bolt too much so a layer of epoxy is between the nut and the GI sheet - this will give you a better bond. Epoxy is not like wood glue that needs a lot of clamping pressure.

 
Posted : 08/03/2010 5:58 pm
(@fgvillegas)
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Re: How to Install a Nut on a GI Flat Sheet?

thanks a lot!

i'll probably try the steel epoxy first as it is way much cheaper. I would maybe cost me less than a hundred only.

i'll follow your tips and hopefully do it right.

one last question: 🙂

just in case i did it wrong, how do i remove the epoxy?

 
Posted : 09/03/2010 9:50 am
bbn
 bbn
(@bbn)
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Re: How to Install a Nut on a GI Flat Sheet?

You can use a file or grinder.

 
Posted : 09/03/2010 12:17 pm
(@fgvillegas)
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Re: How to Install a Nut on a GI Flat Sheet?

ah, ok. but that would probably damage the nut.

well... anyway, the nut is relatively cheap. just need to have some spare. 🙂

thanks

 
Posted : 09/03/2010 2:23 pm
 guad
(@guad)
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Re: How to Install a Nut on a GI Flat Sheet?

Can't you use those screws for fastening GI sheets to purlins? Haven't seen any made of stainless steel though.

I think that the above is referring to tek or is that Tek or TEK® screws? It seems that this is not a Philippines-only term, unlike tox or is that toks?

The stores specializing in screws may have stainless steel versions, but if people use non-stainless steel tek screws on roofs maybe whatever material it is usually made of is corrosion-resistant enough? Is that yellow zinc dichromate plated?

Assuming it will do the job, using a self-tapping screw sounds much simpler than gluing a nut.

 
Posted : 09/03/2010 7:25 pm
(@fgvillegas)
Posts: 117
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Re: How to Install a Nut on a GI Flat Sheet?

Assuming it will do the job, using a self-tapping screw sounds much simpler than gluing a nut.

it may be simple but it might not work on my application. i sometimes have to remove the screw and put it back again when there are things that i need to do later. Also, since the GI sheet is not thick enough, the screw might not hold firmly.

another thing that i'm considering aside from gluing is: instead of putting the bolt from top to bottom, i will place the bolt from bottom to top. then i will put a first nut to hold the bolt so it won't fall. then put the thing that i need to attach then put a second nut to hold that thing.

the first nut though, should be thin and that's about as thick as a plastic spoon handle or a little thinner than that. if i can't find one, i don't know if grinding the nut is okay in such a way that it will not damage the thread. or maybe, i could fabricate some sort of a clip that is as thick as a washer that i will slide into the thread of the bolt when fully inserted so it won't fall.

if you have other suggestions, please let me know.

thanks

 
Posted : 10/03/2010 10:36 am
timber715
(@timber715)
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Re: How to Install a Nut on a GI Flat Sheet?

here is the simplest solution I know. just add the correct sized socket and using a drill driver, you can install and fasten the G.I. sheet without a nut... self tapping.


click my signature and it will take you there........

 
Posted : 14/03/2010 9:59 pm
bbn
 bbn
(@bbn)
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Re: How to Install a Nut on a GI Flat Sheet?

Yup that's the screw I was talking about, as mentioned is called a TEK screw. The one in the picture is for use with wood purlins. There is another one for metal purlins.

 
Posted : 15/03/2010 5:23 am
(@fgvillegas)
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Re: How to Install a Nut on a GI Flat Sheet?

Thanks Timber715. Unfortunately, that type of screw won't work on my application. Just like what Incc63 mentioned, that is used with wood.

I would appreciate if someone could post a picture of the one used for metal purlins.

Thanks to all of you again. 🙂

 
Posted : 15/03/2010 11:45 am
timber715
(@timber715)
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Re: How to Install a Nut on a GI Flat Sheet?

Thanks Timber715. Unfortunately, that type of screw won't work on my application. Just like what Incc63 mentioned, that is used with wood.

I would appreciate if someone could post a picture of the one used for metal purlins.

Thanks to all of you again. 🙂

actually, only the thread varies with the metal type of the same screw. wood type has the wide spacing on their thread while the one for metal purlins uses a close spaced threads. they even have a plastic washer for water sealing... that is what was used for our badminton court when roof was installed...


click my signature and it will take you there........

 
Posted : 15/03/2010 12:06 pm
(@fgvillegas)
Posts: 117
Estimable Member
Topic starter
 

Re: How to Install a Nut on a GI Flat Sheet?

actually, only the thread varies with the metal type of the same screw. wood type has the wide spacing on their thread while the one for metal purlins uses a close spaced threads. they even have a plastic washer for water sealing... that is what was used for our badminton court when roof was installed...

I think I need to start looking for one at the hardware. I hope there are stainless ones.

Thanks again. 🙂

 
Posted : 15/03/2010 12:11 pm
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