Machine thread with nut or not ?

[trantor12020]

My cleats are secured to the deck with machine screw. There's an SS plate embedded in the fibreglass with threads for the screw. I'm thinking of putting a nut to the screw to secure the cleat better. Should I just screw in the nut or drill away the thread on the SS plate and tighten cleat using the nut ?

[AllThumbs]

Leave the threads in the plate. Tighten the bolt and then add the nut to the bottom.

[djodenda]

Originally Posted by AllThumbs

Leave the threads in the plate. Tighten the bolt and then add the nut to the bottom.

Yep... I'd probably add a flat washer and a lock washer as well

[xort]

trantor
I was confused at first...did you mean bolt, not screw? A screw won't take a nut on the end. I think you meant bolt

[hellosailor]

xort: Machine screws will take a nut.

I'd skip the lock washer and use Loctite instead. (And from the top, to protect the threading into the plate, as well.) Keeps weight off the boat, and protects the threads from moisture intrusion and corrosion, too.

[Leither]

I would definitely go with the "tighten the screw and add a washer, locking washer and nut" brigade. Belt, braces and piece of string approach. Way to go!

Stuart

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by xort

trantor
I was confused at first...did you mean bolt, not screw? A screw won't take a nut on the end. I think you meant bolt

Xort a machine screw is a bolt with a screw type head on it as opposed to a hex head..

These are examples of machine screws:

[trantor12020]

Yup, its a 1/4" machine screw, screwing into a threaded SS plate. After sever wake-dance the cleats start "moving" thus needing retightening. I added a nut under just so the screw won't be work loose by wake-dancing but not sure if that is the right way, but it now seems that's the way to go by all your account. Thanks for the info.

[hellosailor]

1/4" machine screw, on a Hunter 326? I'm not sure I'd consider 1/4" screw or bolt, or even a pair of them, large enough to handle the cleats on a boat that size in any kind of chop. Or storm.

Although I suppose upsizing the cleats all around to something that used heavier bolts--and then throughbolting them--would be the usual "not inexpensive!" project.

[trantor12020]

Yah that crosses my mind too. There're 4 screws per cleats.