A Fastener Question

[steve67]

Has anyone used the Ribbed Screw Anchors in FG in stead of running screws right through the FG (in places where it's not seen)?

[Raspy]

Those are designed to be used in a much thicker material, such as sheetrock, or concrete. The thing that makes them work is the expansion against the material, caused by the screw going in. Most of that expansion occurs in the ribbed area way beyond where the thickness of the fiberglass is.

At best, they are not very strong. More for picture hanging or other light duty applications.

Running screws directly into fiberglass doesn't work very well either. That's why aluminum pop rivets, with washers, or machine screws with washers and nylock nuts are better. 5200 or epoxy are also excellent methods to permanently attach to fiberglass.

[John in Michigan]

steve67, I actually DID insert and glue four 30 pound E-Z Ancors into the inner shell below the rear window of my Trillium 4500. I used them to re-attach the VERY LOOSE factory installed shelf below the rear window. The shelf had originally been installed using sheet metal screws. Fixed the problem and worked extremely well.

[John in Michigan]

Also along the same lines, for re-mounting the entry door hinges on my Trillium 4500, I installed brass threaded inserts. Also available in stainless steel. I used epoxy to pre-seal the holes.

[redbarron55]

Rivnuts are a good alternative. I have used them in several places in FrankenScamp

[Casita Greg]

+1 on Riv-Nuts.

[steve67]

Is there a brand/type that you recommend for use on FG?

[redbarron55]

They all work a lot like Pop rivets and most are ok for our purpose.
I bought the last I used on Amazon.
These are the # 8-32 I bought:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Thom Rowland]

These rivnut pullers are available at Harbor Freight, one even has rivnuts included.

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-1...kit-94100.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/45-pie...-kit-1210.html

A lot of tools from Harbor Freight are not worth you time or money but these seem to work fairly well.

[Pete Hein]

There are plastic fasteners designed specifically for fiberglass; they're like plastic wall-anchors, but shorter (a LOT shorter). Check your local boating supply store - I forget what they're called, but if the clerk is on the ball, a description of the function should serve.

HOWEVER - fiberglass in the thicknesses you'll see in a trailer or a small boat just doesn't have enough mass to make a really good attachment. Optimally, you want to have several layers of glass/resin laminate, and that's not easy to do.

Afternote: I just remembered that I have a bag of plastic toggle fasteners called "Pop-Toggles" (made by Hillman Co.); according to the label, the smallest size will have a grip range of 1/8" to 1/4"; that might be OK for the thickness of the walls in an Egg. Maximum load in 1/4" plywood is 40 lbs., per the label.
If memory serves, I got 'em at Home Despot.

[ChetC]

Has anyone ever used Oscar, or exploding as they’re sometimes called, rivets?

[Kip in Ga.]

Originally Posted by ChetC

Has anyone ever used Oscar, or exploding as they’re sometimes called, rivets?

Are you are speaking about those rivets that don't need a washer on the backside, because they expand like a toggle bolt?

I have used them and they work great on fiberglass. Actually Casita had used them to secure the Microwave in place. The appearance before use is that the tube of the rivets has slots running lengthwise.

Amazon has them in Large head about 1/2" diameter, and small head like a normal rivet. The only size I could find are 3/16". A bunch of colors!!

May have to click on another color to see the slit,

https://www.amazon.com/Racers-Speed-...s%2C161&sr=8-6

That price is for 250. Scan on down and find pack of 50 for $12ish. Be careful to order either the large or small head.

This is for 50 of the small head rivets.You can compare the head sized now.

https://www.amazon.com/Racers-Speed-...ateway&sr=8-22

[ChetC]

That’s the ones and knowing Casita used them helps. I had asked this same question in another thread and received ParkLiner specific info too, so I’m ready to start experimenting.
Thank you for the assist!