Woodworking inserts are metal fasteners that provide extra support at connection points between two or more pieces of wood. They are commonly used in furniture, cabinetry, crates, and other products made from thin or soft woods including plywood, MDF, pine, and composition board.
Learn more about different types of woodworking inserts, their benefits for a variety of woodworking applications, and Ultra-Met’s range of woodworking hardware and equipment.
Types of Woodworking Inserts
Woodworking inserts are thick-walled metal cylinders with threads on their inner diameter. inside and outside. They are screwed or pushed into a wooden component and receive a screw, bolt, or similar threaded fastener. Inserts are available in a variety of configurations, materials, and sizes. Learn more about Ultra-Met’s selection of woodworking inserts on our product page.
Threaded and Hex Threaded Inserts
Because they are threaded on their outer diameter, threaded inserts are highly secure when installed. They are available in push-in or thread-in (i.e., screw-in) designs. Their threads are designed with substantial pitch, angle, and depth to provide a solid connection with the wood. This is an advantage over smooth-sided “tee” inserts, which lack this strong gripping feature.
Push-in threaded inserts can be pounded in with a hammer or by hand, depending on the hardness of the wood.
Screw-in threaded inserts are available in round- and hex threaded styles. Round inserts have flush cut ends and are usually made from steel, brass, or aluminum. They can be driven with a standard flat head screwdriver or piloted driver tool, which is less prone to slipping as it turns.
Hex threaded, or hex drive, inserts are available in flanged (i.e., Type D) and flush (i.e., Type E) styles. They are cylindrical like round threaded inserts, but must be driven with an Allen wrench or special piloted tool.
T-Nuts
T-Nuts, or “tees,” have a smooth exterior shaft and interior threads. They have flanged heads with protruding prongs that “bite” into the wood around the pilot hole. T-Nuts have a simple design, but must be oriented carefully so they’re aligned with the direction of the anticipated load force. If this step is not taken, the flange will dislodge from the wood when force is applied.
Benefits of Woodworking Inserts
Woodworking inserts are essential in so many applications in multiple industries, from, and more. They are a cost-effective and reliable way to secure wooden assemblies without complex cuts or specialty tools. They offer these benefits:
- Holding Strength. Externally threaded inserts create a tight grip in the wood and mitigate the risk of screws and bolts stripping out or failing under heavy loads. T-nut inserts perform similarly, provided they are installed correctly.
- Corrosion Resistance. Woodworking inserts are often made from corrosion-resistant brass or stainless steel for durability.
- Easy Installation. Woodworking inserts can often be driven with common, standard tools like hammers, flat head screwdrivers, hex keys, or Allen wrenches.
- Widely Applicable. Woodwork inserts add stability and strength to joints and connections in pre-assembled furniture, ready-to assemble and flat-pack furniture, crates, wall partitions, cabinets, speaker enclosures, crates, softwood constructions, and hardwood assemblies.
- Long-term stability. Threaded inserts can be used with great success in applications that require repeated assembly and disassembly without stripping or popping out.
Woodworking Inserts From Ultra-Met
Ultra-Met provides high-quality preforms, blanks, and custom-molded components for toolmakers and fabricators that serve the manufacturing, metalworking, aerospace, and other industries. We also offer metallurgical and engineering support, prototyping for carbide products, sintering, and a variety of ready-to-press powder metals.
Contact Ultra-Met
Since 1965 we have been committed to precision manufacturing and fabrication for all of our customers, and are ISO 9001:2015-certified. Contact us to discuss your requirements or request a quote to start your order.