Available in both standard and metric sizes, a threaded insert can be used to fasten together materials made of aluminum, cast iron, steel, wood and even plastic. A threaded insert, at its most basic, is a fastener that is molded into pre-drilled or pre-formed holes for fastening. The aerospace, automotive and defense industries trust the strength of a threaded insert in assembly line and other high volume applications. You can look for a threaded insert based on a specific inner diameter (ID), outer diameter (OD) or threads per inch (TPI). Using adhesives in wood or other craft applications can provide even more, and sometimes permanent, hold.

Installation is simple and can be done simply with a little training and the right tools. You can install many threaded inserts without special tools but tools like T-wrenches and pneumatic drivers can give you more torque and make installation less harsh on your hands. Installation tools can also help you prevent over-tightening when threads are damaged.

To get the most solid hold from a threaded insert, consider the following:

1. The right tools and techniques

2. Threaded insert suppliers for metal applications

3. Threaded insert suppliers for wood applications

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Make installation easy with the right threaded insert tool

Before you start, find the right threaded insert tool from the same vendors that offer threaded inserts. You can find tools that will work on a threaded insert made of any material and diameter as well as tools that are made specifically for wood or woodworking projects. Also available are kits and tools that will repair inserts with damaged threads for jobs that are too complex or expensive to disassemble.

I recommend: Barnhill Bolt offers tools to install threaded inserts right the first time. All Fasteners sells individual installation tools as well as insert repair kits.

Find threaded inserts for metal for the tightest hold in heavy-duty applications

Threaded inserts for metal are used in thousands of industries but especially in automotive applications. Metal threaded inserts provide higher clamping pressure and especially withstand loosening due to vibration. Many of the groove-pin inserts are so effective that they are designed to be permanent fasteners. For the strongest metal inserts, look for ones made of steel.

I recommend: E-Z Lok offers the toughest threaded inserts for metal made of carbon steel. Groov-Pin Corp offers groove-pin and traditional threaded inserts for installation in metal.

Get threaded inserts for wood building or manufacturing projects

Unlike automotive threaded inserts for metal, threaded inserts for wood are made for furniture and other wood crafts so companies can manufacture furniture for consumers to assemble after purchase. Threaded wood inserts made of brass provide a powerful hold, especially on particle board, while press-in wood inserts prevent splintering due to wear and tear.

I recommend: Find drivers as well as brass threaded inserts for wood through Woodworker's Supply. Woodcraft offers a wide variety of threaded insert sizes as well as T-wrenches for wood-specific applications.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you want a clean, finished surface, look for closed-end threaded inserts. They are more expensive than traditional threaded inserts because more metal is used to make up the closed end, but closed-end inserts prevent wood, metal and plastic chips from getting stuck inside the insert or mold which makes for a prettier end-product.