Need self tapping bolts for slide control.

[eagleguy]

Be careful of RIVNUTS as they CAN and WILL pullout if too much tension is put on them.
Just my 2c.

Don

Thanks





That is my concern and why I was trying to get the "self tappers". Each sway mounting plate has 8 holes and mounted on the sides of the frame, not on the top or bottom. The size will be 3/8" holes x 8 so I am crossing my fingers that since its just for the side sway mounts I have minimal torque/tension. If things go south I will just weld if needed.

 

[Raptor Dave]

I have searched in every large and small store that sells hardware and even bought from a company called Fastenal as recommended. In the end, bolts provided are apparently not a common size. The only ones I have been able to locate go from 1" which is too short to 2.5" which is too big. The size I need is 3/8" x 12 x 1.25". This is the bolt size of the crappy bolts provided with the sway unit. I even tried buying from the likes of Reese, Curt but for some reason the bolts are not sold separately. I am going to try using Rivet Nuts so I can just buy standard non self tapping bolts in the right size and eliminate the need for self tapping bolts.

Riv-nuts work best for holding something from sliding side to side.
But not so well for pressure holding down and not pulling out with a lot of pressure is what I've found from using them from personal experienced apps.

You just need to make sure your predrilled holes for any metal "self cutting thread bolts" are drilled at the correct size hole. If you do that the chance of stripping out the hole and/or breaking one off is minimized to almost zero percent. Key words in the previous sentence is"CORRECT SIZE HOLE"

 

[workinonit]

I have searched in every large and small store that sells hardware and even bought from a company called Fastenal as recommended. In the end, bolts provided are apparently not a common size. The only ones I have been able to locate go from 1" which is too short to 2.5" which is too big. The size I need is 3/8" x 12 x 1.25". This is the bolt size of the crappy bolts provided with the sway unit. I even tried buying from the likes of Reese, Curt but for some reason the bolts are not sold separately. I am going to try using Rivet Nuts so I can just buy standard non self tapping bolts in the right size and eliminate the need for self tapping bolts.

I have some of those in Fastenal packs in the bolt bins in my shop.

 

[eagleguy]

I need 16-20. If you have what I can't find please let me know if you have the amount I need and want to sell. Thanks

 

[rlh1957]

Why does it have to be that exact size?
There are many other size, thread & length configurations that will allow a change as well as being able to buy the amount you want as opposed to a pack of 100.

 

[eagleguy]

Mounting plate holes were pre drilled to except 3/8" bolts and frame depth is 2"

 

[firestation12]

Amazon
https://a.co/d/dz3RQMo

 

[Raptor Dave]

Amazon
https://a.co/d/dz3RQMo

And there you have it ^^^^
Correct hole drilled at the same time it's getting screwed in.
Just need a drill/driver and a bit!
and some electricity or battery power :whistling:

 

[Pearce369]

Fastenal

Any "GOOD" hardware store should have the bolts in stock. If you have issues with a hardware store, then go to a "commercial fastener store". There is one near you at 3411 W Main St Leesburg, FL . The name is Fastenal Inc. They are a national chain of "bolt, screw and fastener hardware. It's all they sell.

Fastenal has closed to walkin customers in Sebring Fl. I don't know about other locations. I have to purchase from my welding supply store which is in the same complex. So getting my fastners from my welding supply I get what I need and he makes me a good deal.

 

[JRTJH]

Fastenal has closed to walkin customers in Sebring Fl. I don't know about other locations. I have to purchase from my welding supply store which is in the same complex. So getting my fastners from my welding supply I get what I need and he makes me a good deal.

Whatever works for you locally is where you wind up going...

Point is, there's lots of places to get a few self tapping screws in almost every town of any size.

 

[Raptor Dave]

My question is this....
With the availability of the quickest draw in town. Why would you waste fuel, waste time, fight traffic, cuss at other people doing stupid things on the roads we drive when you can push a few buttons and have whatever your world desires(almost) within a day or two? That is the real question!

 

[JRTJH]

Not sure if anyone has "looked over the horizon" with these "inferior HF bolts" or not. Maybe they're just "inferior chinese junk" or maybe they're purposely chosen to shear before the A-frame on the trailer gets bent ????

Is it possible that those "inferior chinese bolts that people say are no good because they break" really saving the trailer from "big bucks repairs" if the owner does something stupid ???

Sort of like having a 3 amp fuse in a DVD player and replacing it with a 10 amp fuse because other people have said the fuse is too weak and blows sometimes.....

 

[GaryUT]

I have searched in every large and small store that sells hardware and even bought from a company called Fastenal as recommended. In the end, bolts provided are apparently not a common size. The only ones I have been able to locate go from 1" which is too short to 2.5" which is too big. The size I need is 3/8" x 12 x 1.25". This is the bolt size of the crappy bolts provided with the sway unit. I even tried buying from the likes of Reese, Curt but for some reason the bolts are not sold separately. I am going to try using Rivet Nuts so I can just buy standard non self tapping bolts in the right size and eliminate the need for self tapping bolts.

McMaster-Carr is a good online store to get hardware. Here is a link for self drilling/tapping screws in the size you are looking for.

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/self-tapping-screws/tapping-screws~/screw-size~3-8/length~1-1-4/

Gary

 

[Raptor Dave]

McMaster-Carr is a good online store to get hardware. Here is a link for self drilling/tapping screws in the size you are looking for.

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/self-tapping-screws/tapping-screws~/screw-size~3-8/length~1-1-4/

Gary

Good reputable place and I've used them in a pinch for several items.
Over priced on a lot of their stuff IMO.
Plus the shipping always kills any deals you may find.

 

[Raptor Dave]

Not sure if anyone has "looked over the horizon" with these "inferior HF bolts" or not. Maybe they're just "inferior chinese junk" or maybe they're purposely chosen to shear before the A-frame on the trailer gets bent ????

Is it possible that those "inferior chinese bolts that people say are no good because they break" really saving the trailer from "big bucks repairs" if the owner does something stupid ???

Sort of like having a 3 amp fuse in a DVD player and replacing it with a 10 amp fuse because other people have said the fuse is too weak and blows sometimes.....

Good point...However, I will say this, I purchase stuff from overseas vendors all the time. Yes, you really have to watch what it is you're buying.
One example I've encountered is SS items. I purchased some that would actually rust...not just get rust on the outer surface but actually rust and pitted. That can only happen with inferior metals. Good quality SS is not supposed to rust.
My feeling is on these bolts that are "inferior" it possibly could boil down to the Indian and not the arrow. However, if it is a cutting thread type bolt and the metal is inferior it could very easily snap right off. The same situation if the hole is not drilled to the proper size even with a good quality cutting type bolt.

 

[eagleguy]

And there you have it ^^^^
Correct hole drilled at the same time it's getting screwed in.
Just need a drill/driver and a bit!
and some electricity or battery power :whistling:

So even though I should have known better but decided to try its very obvious to se there is a difference as to what I need vs what I purchased based on what was recommended.

 

[eagleguy]

And there you have it ^^^^
Correct hole drilled at the same time it's getting screwed in.
Just need a drill/driver and a bit!
and some electricity or battery power :whistling:

I tried but see what I was sent.

 

[Raptor Dave]

I tried but see what I was sent.

Looks like you may have ordered the wrong size.
You can get those self starter (hole drilling) type bolts in a basket of different sizes.
Did you measure the ones that came with equipment and order the right size?

Where are you located? You don't have any friends/family close by that can help point you down the right path of bolt theory and technology?
If you were close to me I'd come over and do it for you.
I don't know what else to say.

 

[NH_Bulldog]

When buying screws, etc. you need to specify two numbers, the first is the gauge and the second is the length (for example #14 - 3/4"). Once the diameter of the screw gets to a certain size, it ceases to use #'s and just goes with the diameter (for example 3/8" x 3/4"). In an earlier post, you said you were going to drill a 3/8" hole and use a #8 screw. Well that is just plain wrong since a #8 screw has a diameter of 5/32" (less than half the size of the hole you are trying to fill). From your picture, it looks like you bought a bag of #8 screws, but again that is flawed logic.

At this point the time and money wasted has far exceeded the cost of just walking into a store with the screw you have and asking someone for exactly what you need. By the way, with the diameter screw you are looking for, it will be a thread-cutting screw not self-drilling. It will not have a drill point on it. You need to specify a 3/8" x 3/4" thread cutting hex-head screw.

 

[RollaMo]

At this point the time and money wasted has far exceeded the cost of just walking into a store with the screw you have and asking someone for what you need.

By far the best option!

He very likely got what he ordered.
The problem was he ordered the wrong size, not knowing exactly what he really needed.