Best Threaded Inserts to Add a Threaded Hole
- Anwenk Threaded Inserts - Best Overall
- Swpeet Carbon Steel Threaded Inserts - Runner Up
- POWERTEC Zinc-Plated Threaded Inserts - Honorable Mention
- PGMJ Threaded Inserts Fasteners - Also Consider
- E-Z LOK Threaded Inserts
Threaded inserts are highly important for the people who constantly work on the wood. It is great for people who repair the furniture as it eases their work to a great degree. The advantages of threaded inserts are colossal, and buying a perfect insert is the key to getting its full benefits. The use of these threaded inserts eases the assembly of wood or metals. These handy tools are an important purchase for carpenters, and many aspects need to be noticed in their purchase. To make this purchase effortless for you, we have formulated a list of the top-of-the-line threaded inserts in 2024.
At Woodsmith, we aim to clear all your doubts and questions regarding a specific purchase. For this reason, we have curated a buyer’s guide that will help you know the features and considerations you should look at while buying the best threaded inserts. An FAQ section is also added at the end of this article to answer any questions that you may have related to threaded wood inserts.
Best Threaded Insert of 2024 Reviewed in Detail
Anwenk Threaded Inserts
– Best OverallThis pack consists of 40 pieces of furniture screws threaded inserts that you can use for wooden furniture. The external diameter of these inserts is 10.5mm, and the total length is 15mm, making such threaded inserts ideal for any woodworking task.
The manufacturer has used premium-quality carbon steel that has a great hardness level and will last longer. The screws are wear-resistant, which means they are highly durable. Moreover, it has a non-slip design to offer you more control over the workpiece.
- Screws are extremely sturdy and long-lasting
- Solidly built with carbon steel
- You get a good amount of screws at a reasonable price
- Work fine for soft woods but not for hardwood
Swpeet Carbon Steel Threaded Inserts
– Runner UpThese threaded inserts have a standard hex socket head and a flat, smooth surface, which make them easier to use as connectors for wood furniture. They have a flanged, threaded texture and a stable structure. The inserts are suitable for woods made of pine, fiberboard, plywood and also work great on combination wood furniture.
The premium-quality carbon steel construction has thick hardness to withstand high pressure. They are wear-resistant and don’t rust easily. It makes these threaded inserts highly durable and long-lasting. You can buy them and save them for later use as they are tough and resilient.
- Have anti-corrosion and anti-oxidation capabilities
- 220 pieces of screw-in inserts in this single pack which is a great number
- Come in four different sizes
- Pack includes a two-piece free hex wrench
- The plastic case in which the screws come is of low quality
POWERTEC Zinc-Plated Threaded Inserts
– Honorable MentionThis pack includes 50 threaded inserts of different diameters and sizes to allow you to work on different projects. You can use the screw-in nuts on hardwoods, and they have a threaded design that can easily be inserted into a drilled hole.
The screws are ideal for softwood and plastic-based furniture or other stuff such as cabinets. You can easily install these screws with a screwdriver or any other similar tool. The zinc-plated carbon steel construction adds to its durability. Moreover, the unique design of the wrench allows it a perfect choice for woodworkers as they can have clean installs.
- Includes a t-shaped handle which makes it easy to use
- Design avoids the possibility of stripping
- Solid welded handle offers optimal control
- Best option to install legs, knobs, and other components
- These inserts don’t work well with the manufacturer’s suggested tools
PGMJ Threaded Inserts Fasteners
– Also ConsiderThis pack includes 80 pieces of threaded inserts, a 9mm steel twist drill and a 6mm hex spanner. So, by using this pack, you get all the needed tools and don’t need to invest in multiple products. You can use these twist drills and spanners to drill and adjust the screws inside a wood hole. The premium-quality construction of solid carbon steel makes it the best choice for professional use.
You should drill a hole of 1-2mm longer than the furniture screw and then use a 6mm internal hex to place the threaded insert in it. Drill a large hole if the wood is hard to get the best results. They are perfect for hardwood, solid wood, and combination furniture.
- Easy-to-install without requiring additional tools
- They have great stability and don’t fall off easily
- Excellent quality threaded inserts at an affordable price
- The packaging of this set is poor
They are designed to assemble furniture, display case, drawer pulls, and shipping crates. You have to simply drill the hole and install the threaded inserts with the hex keys or other tools. The tapered threads of the inserts resist the pulling out, which is caused by vibrations. This means that they stay in place even after many tremors.
Whether you need a handy and reliable tool kit to insert metal legs to the table or want to install knobs to the furniture, this set is your go-to option. These threaded inserts are sturdy and don’t break even under higher pressure.
- Inexpensive and of great quality
- Made of die-cast zinc
- Don’t move from their place during installation
- Are durable and sturdy
- They are a bit tricky to install
Best Threaded Inserts Buying Guide
Threaded wood inserts are available for both hard and soft woods. Always consider insert designs that can prevent stripping and thread erosion while providing superior holding power in all applications. Also remember that there are specific wood inserts for specific types of hard woods like white oak, cherry, and maple, or soft woods like plywood, and MDF.
This buying guide lets you know which features you should look for in the threaded inserts and which type of threaded inserts are available in the market. After reading this shopping guide thoroughly, you will have all the information to buy the right threaded inserts for you.
For a step-wise guide on using threaded wood inserts, check video from ‘Albany County Fasteners’.
What Factors Are Worth Considering When Shopping Threaded Inserts?
Tool’s life
Knowing a tool’s life before getting it is one of the most practical things you can do while making this purchase. The tool life of a product means for how long the product will remain functional.
Check the reviews of specific threaded inserts and buy the one with positive reviews regarding the tool life. By doing so, you will rest assured of investing in the appropriate threaded wood inserts.
Easy to install
The insert must be easy to install. Many inserts are being sold in the market that are extremely strenuous to install, and the process can take up hours. Those slip from the wood easily, and you can’t grip them firmly at a place. It makes the whole process tricky and difficult.
The people who are just at a beginner level in handling wood can never install such threaded wood inserts. So, always buy an insert that is easy to install.
Price
The price of a threaded insert should also be considered before making your mind about buying a specific product. We recommend you spend a few bucks on this purchase as the threaded inserts, which are functional, are a bit costly. If you want to stay on the safer side and can’t afford to buy something of subpar quality, go for the average to highly-priced ones.
Which Features of Threaded Inserts Are Must-haves?
Geometry
The insert geometry of different products is different, and you should know which one you need to buy. The ones that have a flat geometry are round and can be used on most of the surfaces. The ones with a sharp geometry can be used for sticky materials such as stainless steel and low-carbon steel.
Moreover, the ones that have chip-breaking geometry can be used for long chipping materials such as low-carbon materials. Different geometry types are used for different materials. You can easily choose what type of geometry you want, to know which material you have to work on.
Quality
The quality of a threaded insert greatly matters when it comes to its functionality. Be mindful of choosing a threaded insert set that is made of premium-quality carbon steel. You should focus on buying the screws that make your overall project easier and not tougher.
There have been many instances where the screws broke down because they were made of low-quality materials. The strength of the inserts matters a lot, and you should always focus on it while buying threaded inserts.
Anti-corrosion
The inserts should be anti-corrosion and rust-resistant. The steel shouldn’t rust or wear off after a few uses. You should make this purchase after checking the anti-corrosion capability of the insert.
Size
You must ensure that the threaded insert and the drilled hole match in terms of diameter and size. In other words, you should be careful while drilling the hole as the hole size should match the size of the insert. If the sizes somehow remain different, then the inserts will be of no use to you.
What Are the Types of Threaded Inserts Available?
Thick wall inserts
These inserts are used for thick materials or surfaces. If you have to attach two thick wooden surfaces, then you would need the thick-walled inserts. They are tubular and have a threaded interior which adds to the ease of adjusting. You can insert them from one side without worrying about taking them out from the other side.
Thin wall inserts
You will find thin wall inserts in either hexagonal or round shapes as these are the most used ones. They also have a closed-end design, the same as the thick wall inserts. This design feature makes them anti-corrosion, and there is no chance that water or moisture will seep into them. They create a strong bond with a wide-bearing head, offering you the best results.
Slotted body inserts
These inserts have cuts on their body which adjust strongly with the wooden surface. These inserts are the best choice for soft woods and composites. Moreover, you can use the slotted body inserts for all types of soft materials, and they will work great on them.
Euro-style inserts
They have a round and hexagonal body which is perfect for repairing wooden furniture. These are mostly used by people who repair their furniture at home.
How To Install Threaded Inserts?
Firstly, you have to create a hole in the wood. Then, you have to place the threaded insert in that hole. Make sure that the hole and the threaded insert have the same size in terms of inside diameter. Take a soldering iron and apply some pressure on the threaded insert. The iron will heat the insert. The heating up of the insert will drill it into the hole. When you see that it has fitted, you can trim off any excess material present on the sides.
What Is the Price of Threaded Inserts?
The price of threaded wood inserts ranges from $5 to $780. The price depends on a vast number of factors. The heavily priced ones are highly functional, long-lasting, and adjust well in most types of materials. On the other hand, the cheap ones are not very durable or functional. They also don’t work on a colossal number of materials.
PEOPLE ALSO ASKED
Yes, the threaded wood inserts work perfectly fine. The ones present in our list are all ones that work the best. Other than these, most threaded inserts work as per the expectations of the woodworker or DIYer.
Yes, a newbie in the wood repairing world can easily start using threaded inserts. These inserts are extremely easy to install, and hence they can be used by newbies as well.
Yes, most threaded wood inserts are durable. This statement is not valid for all the threaded inserts, however. But, most of the threaded inserts sold by the companies work well and endure for a long time.