Stupid Hardware Question re: Insulated Clips

[rsw81]

This sounds stupid, but I’ve come across the bags of insulated clips (1/4” & 5-8”) but I can’t seem to find the screws that’s would go with these. I assume these use some form of self-tapping screw to hold them in place, not rivets, right? These clips were in box 2A “secondary chassis components”. Any wise advise on where to find the hardware meant to how with them?

[Papa]

FFR intends for you to use rivets. I typically tapped and treaded holes and used stainless bolts (#10-24).

[Jeff Kleiner]

FFR assumes that you'll use rivets. Some opt for self tappers or even drill and tap tor machine screws. Builder's choice.

Jeff

[phileas_fogg]

I did the same as Papa, except I used #10-32 to get an extra thread or three into the frame.


John

[rsw81]

Wow, thanks guys. I guess I assumed at some point I might want to take these things off to change lines in the future, making rivets a non-option. I'm surprised FFR wasn't thinking this way when they supplied the hardware.

Any benefit pro/con of self-tapping vs tap/threading the holes?

[Jeff Kleiner]

I’ve never had to remove clips/lines on any of the cars I have built. Anybody ever had to do so? Rivets will drill out in the same amount of time it takes to unscrew a threaded fastener and won’t loosen. Any of the 3 methods are perfectly acceptable, some are just easier or quicker than others.

Jeff

[phileas_fogg]

I had to remove my fuel feed line to get wrenches on a pair of fittings that was seeping. I was glad I didn't have to drill out any rivets.


John

[rich grsc]

Ten years down the line, if you need to remove any of these, you'll find drilling out a rivet easier than drilling out a broken corroded broken screw.
Never understood taking all the time to drill and tap threads,---- drill hole, pop rivet, done.

[Railroad]

I used Tek screws, like FF used to temporarily install the alum panels. These will drill any where on the frame and hold the item in place. I then used a self tapping, same hex head and let it tap the hole and tighten it down.
This eliminates drilling and moves along very smooth. Worst case, so far, using a Dewalt or similar driver, do not let it hammer on it after it seats. These screws are very hard and when the head snaps off, you will have to move to a new location. It will not drill out.

[Al_C]

This sounds stupid, but I’ve come across the bags of insulated clips (1/4” & 5-8”) but I can’t seem to find the screws that’s would go with these. I assume these use some form of self-tapping screw to hold them in place, not rivets, right? These clips were in box 2A “secondary chassis components”. Any wise advise on where to find the hardware meant to how with them?

Thanks for posting this. I don't think it was a stupid question at all. In fact, I thought the replies were pretty interesting!

[Avalanche325]

Ten years down the line, if you need to remove any of these, you'll find drilling out a rivet easier than drilling out a broken corroded broken screw.
Never understood taking all the time to drill and tap threads,---- drill hole, pop rivet, done.

I have to 100% agree. It's a car, not a Lego set. Not everything needs to, or should, come apart easily.

[steno]

If you were to go with screws, I’d put anti-seize on the fastener. Better safe than sorry.

[CraigS]

I am w/ Jeff and Rich, I like aluminum rivets. Just be sure you don't get the ones w/ a steel mandrel.

[emac]

I used Rivnuts in a few places. Not for any great reason, except prior to my build I had never used them and I thought they were really neat. Learning new techniques and adding more arrows to your quiver is what building a Roadster is all about!

[Avalanche325]

With my previous comment about not everything needs to be removable. There are a couple things that come in handy for maintenance and repairs. Rivnuts are awesome for this. Here is what I have made removable with rivnuts and button head screws. I have had them all off more than a couple times:

Elephant ears.
Nose panels.
Footbox access panel

[Jeff Kleiner]

Here's what I make removable with rivnuts:


Which coincidentally happens to be the same pieces I've had to remove for maintenance or repairs from the cars I've built.

Jeff

[Papa]

Here's what I make removable with rivnuts:


Which coincidentally happens to be the same pieces I've had to remove for maintenance or repairs from the cars I've built.

Jeff

(This page intentionally left blank)

[Avalanche325]

(This page intentionally left blank)

But now it's not blank.

[edwardb]

Never ceases to amaze me where some subjects end up going. :rolleyes: I just finished adding a fan controller to the 20th Anniversary Roadster, which meant digging into the wiring a bit, mounting the controller, etc. Had to take some things apart, but never drilled out a rivet. Just saying. But really not a big deal either way.

[ptstew]

Here's what I make removable with rivnuts:


Which coincidentally happens to be the same pieces I've had to remove for maintenance or repairs from the cars I've built.

Jeff
I didn’t even know what rivnuts were when I built my car. I went through a lot of rivets and had to get a second rivetgun to finish it. In 18 years have never drilled one out and still going strong.

[rich grsc]

Screw it-----weld em in place. :p

[Jeff Kleiner]

Never ceases to amaze me where some subjects end up going. :rolleyes: I just finished adding a fan controller to the 20th Anniversary Roadster, which meant digging into the wiring a bit, mounting the controller, etc. Had to take some things apart, but never drilled out a rivet. Just saying. But really not a big deal either way.

You know Paul, if you'd just learn to put a little advance planing into your builds you wouldn't have to take things back apart. :p :p :p

Jeff

[Avalanche325]

Here's what I make removable with rivnuts:


Which coincidentally happens to be the same pieces I've had to remove for maintenance or repairs from the cars I've built.

Jeff

You know that now that you said this, you will have to get to something within a week.

[edwardb]

You know Paul, if you'd just learn to put a little advance planing into your builds you wouldn't have to take things back apart. :p :p :p

Jeff

You got me there. :( I'll try harder.

[rsw81]

This is amazing... thanks for the laugh guys.