Rivet Nuts

Rivet nuts — also called threaded inserts, nutserts, or rivnuts — install from one side of a workpiece and provide a permanent threaded socket for blind attachment in sheet metal, panel, and tubing applications. Eugene Fastener & Supply stocks the RivetKing IKF series in steel yellow zinc, aluminum, and 18-8 stainless across the full size range, plus the ISR swaging series for blind-hole and large-grip applications. Inch sizes from #4-40 UNC through 1/2-13 UNC, and metric M4 through M12.

Common applications include automotive and off-road accessories, sheet metal fabrication, HVAC ductwork, equipment manufacturing, marine hardware, electronics enclosures, and sign & display work. Whether you're doing a one-off panel repair or supplying a production line, we stock both fixed-grip (IKF) and unlimited-grip (ISR) styles, plus the matched drill bits and installation tools to set them. Buy by the piece or in bulk — same-day shipping on orders placed before 2pm Pacific.

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Rivet Nuts — IKF & ISR Series in Steel, Aluminum & Stainless

Need rivet nuts for a production run or have a bulk requirement?

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RivetKing IKF Series — Knurled Body, Low Profile Head

The IKF series is the workhorse rivet nut in the RivetKing line — a thinwall design with a knurled body and low-profile flange head. Both spin-spin and spin-pull installation tools work with this series. The knurled flange grips the front face of the panel to prevent rotation under torque, and the body collapses against the back side to lock the fastener permanently in place.

  • Inch sizes: #6-32 UNC, #8-32 UNC, #10-24 UNC, #10-32 UNF, 1/4-20 UNC, 5/16-18 UNC, 3/8-16 UNC, 1/2-13 UNC
  • Metric sizes: M4 × 0.7, M5 × 0.8, M6 × 1.0, M8 × 1.25, M10 × 1.5, M12 × 1.75
  • Materials: Steel yellow zinc plated, aluminum, 18-8 stainless steel
  • Multiple grip ranges per size — short and long grip versions to match your sheet thickness

Choose IKF when you know your panel thickness and need a permanent threaded socket in sheet metal, panels, or tubing.

RivetKing ISR Series — Swaging Style for Blind Holes & Large Grip

The ISR series (also called the swaging series) is the right choice when you don’t know your exact panel thickness or when you’re installing into a blind hole. Unlike the IKF, which has a fixed grip range, the ISR has unlimited maximum grip — it will set in any sheet thicker than 0.030″. The body swages outward against the inside of the hole rather than collapsing against the back face, making it suitable for closed cavities and structural panels.

  • Inch sizes: #4-40 UNC, #6-32 UNC, #8-32 UNC, #10-24 UNC, #10-32 UNF, 1/4-20 UNC, 5/16-18 UNC, 3/8-16 UNC, 1/2-13 UNC
  • Material: Steel yellow zinc plated
  • Use when: Panel thickness is unknown, installation is into a blind hole, or you need maximum grip range in one fastener

Materials — When to Use Each

MaterialBest ForTrade-Offs
Steel, Yellow Zinc PlatedGeneral industrial, automotive, structural, equipment manufacturing — the default choice for most applicationsWill corrode in marine or persistently wet environments; not ideal for long-term outdoor exposure
Aluminum, PlainLightweight applications, automotive aftermarket, off-road accessories, electronics enclosures — when weight matters or non-magnetic is requiredLower pull-out strength than steel; not for high-torque applications
18-8 Stainless SteelMarine, food processing, outdoor exposure, medical equipment, chemical processing — anywhere corrosion resistance is criticalHigher cost; lower torque-out resistance than zinc-plated steel

Rivet Nut vs. Plus Nut vs. Jack Nut vs. Well Nut — Which One Do I Need?

Customers often ask how rivet nuts (rivnuts, nutserts) compare to similar fasteners. Here’s a quick reference:

  • Rivet nut (rivnut, nutsert, threaded insert): Best for sheet metal and panel applications where you can drill a clean round hole and need a strong, repeatable threaded socket. Permanent installation.
  • Plus nut: Similar to a rivet nut but with a cross-shaped expansion that grips harder in soft or thin materials. Choose when material is too thin for a standard rivet nut to grip securely.
  • Jack nut: Plastic-bodied insert with metal threads, designed for very thin materials and one-time installations. Lower load capacity than rivet nuts.
  • Well nut: Rubber-bodied insert that seals as it’s installed — used in vibration-damping or moisture-sealing applications.
  • PEM nut (press-in nut): Cold-pressed into the panel with a press; requires equipment but provides extremely strong threads.
  • Weld nut: Welded permanently to the back side of the panel; requires welding access. Strongest connection but most labor-intensive.

For most sheet metal and panel applications where you need installable-from-one-side threads and have a drill, the rivet nut is the right choice. Choose IKF (fixed grip) when you know your panel thickness; choose ISR (unlimited grip) when you don’t.

Sizes & Specifications

All rivet nuts include a recommended drill / hole size, grip range (sheet thickness), head diameter, and overall length. The most common sizes by volume:

SizeDrill / HoleCommon Grip RangesBest For
#6-32 / #8-320.266″0.020-0.080″ / 0.080-0.130″Light gauge sheet metal, electronics, signage
#10-24 / #10-320.297″0.020-0.130″ / 0.130-0.225″HVAC ductwork, light enclosures, automotive trim
1/4-200.391″0.027-0.165″ / 0.165-0.260″General industrial, automotive, panel mounting
5/16-180.531″0.027-0.150″ / 0.150-0.312″Equipment manufacturing, structural attachments
3/8-160.531″0.027-0.150″ / 0.150-0.312″Heavy panel mounting, off-road accessories
1/2-130.688″0.063-0.500″Frame and chassis attachments, heavy equipment
M6 × 1.010.0 mm0.70-4.20 mm / 4.20-6.60 mmEuropean/import equipment, automotive aftermarket
M8 × 1.2513.5 mm0.70-3.80 mm / 3.80-7.90 mmAutomotive accessories, equipment manufacturing

For complete specifications including head diameter, body diameter, and length for every size and grip variant, see the individual product pages above.

Common Applications

  • Automotive & Off-Road: Bumper mounts, fender flares, light bar brackets, skid plates, body panel attachments
  • Sheet Metal Fabrication: Enclosures, electrical cabinets, ductwork, machine guards
  • HVAC: Duct fittings, equipment housings, vibration-damped panel mounting
  • Marine: Stainless rivet nuts for railings, hardware mounting, deck attachments — always use 18-8 stainless
  • Aerospace & Aviation: Lightweight aluminum rivet nuts for non-structural panel attachments
  • Sign & Display: Permanent threaded mount points in metal signs, displays, kiosks
  • Equipment Manufacturing: Removable panel attachment, serviceable component mounting, jig and fixture assembly

Installation Overview

Installing a rivet nut takes three steps:

  1. Drill a hole in the panel sized to match the rivet nut you’re installing (see size table above).
  2. Insert the rivet nut from the accessible side. Thread it onto the mandrel of your installation tool.
  3. Set the rivet nut by pulling the trigger on a spin-pull or pneumatic tool, or by compressing a hand-operated lazy-tongs tool. The body collapses (IKF) or swages outward (ISR), locking the fastener permanently in place.

Hand-operated rivet nut tools work for small thread sizes and low-volume installs. For 5/16-18 and larger, or for production volume, a pneumatic or hydraulic rivet nut gun is recommended. Battery-powered cordless rivet nut tools are well-suited to most thread sizes from #6-32 through 3/8-16.

Rivet Nut FAQ

What is a rivet nut, and what is it used for?

A rivet nut is a fastener that installs from one side of a workpiece and provides a permanent threaded socket on the other side. It’s used for blind attachment in sheet metal, panels, and tubing — situations where you need a strong threaded mounting point but can’t access the back side of the material to weld a nut or use a through-bolt. Common applications include automotive accessories, sheet metal fabrication, HVAC ductwork, equipment manufacturing, and electronics enclosures.

What’s the difference between a rivet nut, rivnut, and nutsert?

They’re different names for the same product. “Rivnut” was originally a brand name from Böllhoff and is still used as a generic term. “Nutsert” was a brand from AVK Industrial Products. “Rivet nut” and “threaded insert” are the most common generic terms. All refer to a threaded fastener that installs blind from one side and locks itself in place by collapsing or swaging against the back side of the panel.

What size drill bit do I need for a rivet nut?

The required hole size depends on the rivet nut diameter. Common sizes: #6-32 and #8-32 use a 0.266″ (17/64″) drill, #10-24 and #10-32 use 0.297″ (19/64″), 1/4-20 uses 0.391″ (25/64″), 5/16-18 and 3/8-16 use 0.531″ (17/32″), and 1/2-13 uses 0.688″ (11/16″). For metric: M6 uses 10.0mm, M8 uses 13.5mm, and so on. See our Rivet Nut Drill Bit & Hole Size Chart for the complete reference with EFS Triumph drill SKUs in stock.

What’s the difference between IKF and ISR rivet nuts?

IKF and ISR are two RivetKing series with different installation behaviors. The IKF series has a knurled body that collapses against the back face of the panel during installation — choose IKF when you know your panel thickness and need a fixed grip range. The ISR series swages outward against the inside of the hole — choose ISR when the panel thickness is unknown, when installing into a blind hole, or when you need unlimited maximum grip in a single fastener. See our Rivet Nut Selection Guide for a deeper comparison.

Should I choose steel, aluminum, or stainless rivet nuts?

Use steel yellow zinc plated for general industrial, automotive, structural, and equipment work — it’s the default choice. Use aluminum when weight matters or when you need non-magnetic (automotive aftermarket, off-road, electronics enclosures, aerospace non-structural). Use 18-8 stainless steel for marine, food processing, outdoor exposure, medical equipment, or any corrosive environment. Stainless costs more and has lower torque-out resistance than zinc-plated steel, so use it only when corrosion is the deciding factor.

What grip range do I need?

Grip range is the panel thickness the rivet nut is designed to clamp. Match it to the actual thickness of the material you’re installing into. IKF rivet nuts come in short-grip (e.g., 0.020″-0.080″) and long-grip (e.g., 0.080″-0.130″) versions per size. ISR rivet nuts have unlimited maximum grip — they’ll set in any panel thicker than 0.030″ — making them the right choice when panel thickness varies or is unknown. Verify panel thickness before ordering.

What tool do I need to install a rivet nut?

Rivet nut installation requires a dedicated tool that pulls or spins the mandrel to set the nut. Options range from hand-operated lazy-tongs tools (good for low-volume), to spin-pull pneumatic guns (production volume), to pneudraulic and battery-powered cordless tools (high-volume or heavy sizes). For sizes 5/16-18 and larger, a powered tool is strongly recommended. See our Tool Selection Guide for matching tools to your job.

Can I install rivet nuts with regular hand tools?

Not effectively. Rivet nuts require a tool that threads onto the rivet nut, then pulls the mandrel through it to collapse or swage the body. A wrench or pliers won’t do this — you need at minimum a hand-operated lazy-tongs rivet nut tool. These are inexpensive and work well for occasional installations of smaller sizes (#6-32 through 1/4-20). For larger sizes or volume work, a pneumatic or cordless rivet nut gun is the right tool.

Why does my rivet nut spin in the panel?

Spinning rivet nuts (sometimes called “rotation failure”) typically come from one of three causes: (1) the hole is oversized and the rivet nut never grips the hole wall; (2) the panel is thinner than the rivet nut’s grip range, so the body never compressed enough to lock; or (3) the panel material is too soft to hold the knurled flange. Solutions: drill the exact recommended hole size, verify panel thickness against the grip range, or switch to a knurled-body or anti-rotation series for soft materials. See our Installation Guide for more troubleshooting tips.

Can a rivet nut be removed?

Yes, but it’s a one-shot deal. Removal usually means drilling out the rivet nut body or grinding off the head and pushing the remainder through. The hole will need to be re-drilled to the next size up if you’re replacing with another rivet nut. Rivet nuts are designed for permanent installation, so plan accordingly — if you anticipate needing to remove and replace, consider weld nuts, PEM nuts, or threaded inserts that allow removal.

Can you cross-reference rivet nuts from AVK, Sherex, or other manufacturers?

Yes. Eugene Fastener cross-references RivetKing, AVK, Sherex, Böllhoff (RIVNUT brand), POP/Avdel, Goebel, and other major rivet nut manufacturers. Call us with any part number, and we’ll match it to an equivalent RivetKing IKF or ISR SKU we stock — usually same-day. We also keep cross-reference data in our internal records for legacy items, so historical EFS item numbers can be matched to current part numbers.

Do you sell rivet nuts by the piece, or only in bulk?

Both. Most sizes are available by the piece for one-off repairs and small jobs, and we stock bulk quantities for production runs. Pack quantities and minimum orders vary by size and supplier — call or request a quote with your specific size, material, and quantity for current pricing and availability.

Do you offer volume discounts on rivet nuts?

Yes. We offer tiered pricing on bulk and production quantities. Send us a request through our contact form with the size, material, grip range, and quantity, and we’ll respond same business day with pricing and lead time. For ongoing production needs, we can set up blanket orders and scheduled releases.

Rivet Nut Resources & Guides

Need help selecting the right rivet nut, sizing the hole, or choosing the right installation tool? We’ve built a small library of guides for the questions our customers ask most often:

Why Buy Rivet Nuts from Eugene Fastener

  • Stocked locally — same-day shipping nationwide on orders placed before 2pm Pacific.
  • Buy by the piece or in bulk — order one for a one-off repair or thousands for a production run.
  • Cross-reference assistance — call us with any RivetKing, AVK, Sherex, POP/Avdel, Goebel, or Bollhoff part number and we’ll match it.
  • 60+ years in industrial fastener distribution — Eugene Fastener has served the Pacific Northwest construction, manufacturing, and equipment industry since 1965.

Need the bolts to go with your rivet nuts? Browse our socket head cap screws, hex bolts and cap screws, and machine screws — matched to every rivet nut size we stock. Looking for other rivet types? See our blind rivets and solid rivets, or browse threaded inserts for helicoil and keensert applications. Need help with specifications or bulk pricing? Contact our sales team — Eugene Fastener & Supply has been serving Pacific Northwest manufacturers, contractors, and equipment makers since 1965.

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