Need thin square nut for old rocker

[daniel lane]

Quick question - my brother has recently had an antique rocker refurbished that used blind square nuts (not t-nuts) in the assembly. Ideally, this needs a 1/4-20 square nut less than 3/16" thick to fit into the slot that's been routed parallel to the edge. (Think assembly like a bed frame/headboard.) All the nuts I can find are 7/32 thick, which are just a little too thick. A hex nut would work, but anyone know where to find thin nuts for this kind of service? My specialty hardware URL list isn't working for me!


Thanks,

daniel

[daryl moses]

A bench grinder and some vice grips will work to thin down a too thick square nut

[Frederick Skelly]

Would mcmaster-carr have something?

[Steve Eure]

Tractor Supply carries some square nuts. Many farm implements still use them. Don't know if they have 1/4" but I have seen and bought the larger sizes. If they are too thick, Daryl' suggestion of a grinder will work.

[John K Jordan]

You can also make a nut, any size, any thread. Cut a piece of steel the right size, drill and tap. I've done this plenty of times.

Use a drill press and vise for safety. Can tap by hand if careful to hold the tap perpendicular.

JKJ

[Bill Jobe]

Sounds like he may want the nuts to look old, with a patina? If so surely there's a current or even former shop somewhere in your area that would have all kinds of them for little or no cost.
Might even try retired farmers who no doubt had or still have a workshop they'd be willing to look through. As an added bonus that may even produce something you've been looking for. Some older retired folks would bend over backwards you help you out and buying something unusual that appeals to you would make him even more willing to help you out.

[Shawn Pixley]

You can also make a nut, any size, any thread. Cut a piece of steel the right size, drill and tap. I've done this plenty of times.

Use a drill press and vise for safety. Can tap by hand if careful to hold the tap perpendicular.

JKJ

This is what I would do; tap the end of a bar that is the right size square. After cut and file to the right thickness.

[Gene Takae]

A jam nut is thinner than a regular hex nut.

[Joe Jensen]

https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/1137620;jsessionid=YUBesD6ZDvaAuKJdBbHdy9vB.385364 38-9c19-3947-9017-bf77ad0514fd?r=~|categoryl1:%22600000%20Fasteners% 22|~%20~|categoryl2:%22600072%20Nuts%22|~%20~|cate goryl3:%22600086%20Square%20Nuts%22|~

[Rick Moyer]

For a 1/32" I'd consider just filing down a 7/32 one.

[Bill Adamsen]

For just a few, I'd probably just drill and tap a piece of flat mild steel of the right thickness and then cut the appropriately sized nut.

If larger quantities were needed, Bolt Depot sells them. I sometimes use them when building barn doors and thru-bolting hardware.

[daniel lane]

Thanks, all. My brother kindly ceded most of the mechanical aptitude to me in childhood, so grinding or drilling/tapping ain't gonna happen! Plus, he's in a tiny row house in Queens, no workshop and pretty much no tools.


https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/1137620;jsessionid=YUBesD6ZDvaAuKJdBbHdy9vB.385364 38-9c19-3947-9017-bf77ad0514fd?r=~|categoryl1:%22600000%20Fasteners% 22|~%20~|categoryl2:%22600072%20Nuts%22|~%20~|cate goryl3:%22600086%20Square%20Nuts%22|~

Thanks, Joe. I've seen those, and like all the others they are 1/32 too thick.


A jam nut is thinner than a regular hex nut.

Thanks, Gene! I didn't know that, and with a google search, right away I have found some that are ~10/64, so should be a perfect fit!


Regards,

daniel