Are there any good hand held clinching tools? 1

[var10]

I have a Aluminium 6061 - T651 machined part with some tight corners and enclosed holes. So currently the design implements a floating clinch nut which could be fixed with rivets. The design is well and good. But I am thinking of further reducing the weight of the assembled part by using clinch nuts.

The only problem I face now is that the clinch press we have is a big one and it cannot do tight corners. I came across hand held clinching tool to come around this issue.

I have found a few tools.

1.

http://www.directindustry.com/prod/bostitch/pneumatic-clinching-tools-102771-1018457.html

2.

http://www.directindustry.com/prod/bollhoff/clinching-hand-tools-9129-23985.html

3.

http://www.directindustry.com/prod/eckold/clinching-hand-tools-17428-610112.html

Does anyone have any experience on working with 1.6mm machined aluminium 6061 and using hand held clinching tool to press the nuts? only asking this because handheld presses cannot be perfect about the axis.

Do you have any suggestions on what tools I can look at?

Open for any design ideas as well!

Hope I have given you enough context (Sorry I cant attach a drawing or model to show this better due to security issues).

 

[var10]

Also are there any clinch nuts which can auto centre itself when screw is fastened? (which can move in x and y directions when you are looking at the hole).

Thanks,

 

[berkshire]

I just sent a reply which disapeared into cyberspace. Check NSF 88 Nut- Clinch, Floating, 210° by alcoa, RIV- FLOAT by Sherex.
Most of the manufacturers like Clinch and PEM make floating nutplate type clinching type inserts, the major dis advantage the auto centering types have is that they require a bigger diameter hole than a fixed installation.
If you have a problem with a clinch press you may be better served by the draw type inserts like Riv- nuts. or Nut certs, which require no more room than the head of the insert for the tool.
B.E.

 

[var10]

Thank you berkshire. It is true that it occupies more space. I haven't really thought about nutcerts or insert nuts really but I guess that would also be a very good option if surface flush is not required.

What about the strength and durability of nutcerts. Are they strong enough like clinch nuts.

As I mentioned earlier the issue is that nutcerts can never be flush on the top face. Correct me here if I am wrong? From what I know nutcerts are generally above the outside face by its head thickness?

Any suggestion about the clinching hand held tools?

 

[berkshire]

VAR 10
Check these hand pullers, the Riv nut puller can also be used for Nutserts.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/search/search.php?s=RIV+NUT+PULLER&x=0&y=0

The Pemsert type really require a press to put them in. Although I have seen them installed with home made jaw inserts for alligator type squeeze riveters.
The rivnut style insert can be obtained with a countersunk head, also a keyway if needed to prevent turning , and another style known as a thinsert is plated steel and has a very low profile head.
I have in the past had an operating problem with nutserts, in that as you pull them, the lower part shears off and wedges into the upper part swaging the piece in the hole. Improper placing allows the lower part to drop out, if no bolt is present in the hole.
You should have enough names and companies here now to be able to complete your search to find what you need now on your own.
B.E.