body cavity brass inserts?

You can find an assortment of sizes at Home Depot. They’re in the section where there’s drawers of stuff. I put smaller (thinner) ones in my neck from HD.

 

I get all my hardware like that from
McMaster-Carr
McMaster-Carr

 

Yep, Home Depot, or even some hardware stores in the Hillman fastener drawers.

 

McMaster-Carr has the tiny ones.

 

Don't get the brass, get the steel

 

I disagree, get the brass ones! Steel is more likely to gall and seize up on steel screws. The brass inserts won't.

Another source for small threaded brass inserts, like 4-40 size, is Threaded Hex Standoffs from electronics supply places.

 

Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace, TruValue should have brass and steel inserts. If you want smaller than 8-32 or 6-32 you may have to order them from somewhere. Also, if you have scraps of the same wood the inserts are going into it wouldn’t hurt to get a few extra and experiment. I’ve found in woods like maple I need to drill a much larger hole for the insert then they recommend.

 

When in doubt McMaster-Carr! That place rocks and ships quick! I like their big zip lock bags too

 

If you haven’t installed these types of inserts, I highly recommend getting a hand full to practice installing, especially on hard woods.

I use the method involving a drill press and a threaded rod that goes into the insert and slowly turning the drill press by hand drives the insert down. Someone here has a step by step pictorials. I think I took a pic of that on my recent build thread...

 

I don't use the ones "for wood" with the thread on the outside... they are too big for my taste & don't thread into hardwood well. At leaat not in control cavities where they are being installed in the little nub I leave for them. You can't force thread somthing like that without cracking the surrounding material. And if a hole is large enough to allow them to be threaded in... They are not going to be very tight.
I prefer to use the ones for plastic, with the knurled outer edge... And glue them in very carefully with a little CA gel.

 

Nice! Perhaps these ones are good for pickup cavities as well?

 

Hey @Rôckhewer
Do you have a link to those little knurled brass inserts? I’d like to use those for threaded pup height screws. Never seen them that small. McMaster/Carr?

 

As stated -McMasterCarr. They have them down to 0-80. Go for the "heat set"ones designed for ultrasonic or hot insertion in plastic. They have fine knurls and shallow barbs on the bottom end. Measure the OD on the barbs and drill & ream the hole on-size and glue them in with CA.

 

This is great! I was looking around for some and screws that fit a set of soap bars for my build.

 

These ones?
McMaster-Carr

 

Unfortunately MCM's site doesn't seem to allow direct linking to specific product, just a general area of where to look. What size thread are you looking for? also, they have multiple insert lengths as well.

 

I noticed the same thing, tried to post the actual page for the small plastic style inserts, won’t allow a direct link. I’d like to use them for pup height screws on a Ric 4004 style build, maybe cavity covers too, so small, not sure which yet. I bookmarked the page, thanks for the tip @Rôckhewer!

 

not too familiar with RIC's, but I'm going to assume 4-40? (MCM# 93365A120)