Speed/captive nut backing fiberglass?

[batkins61]

The top of my pedestal is attached to the base with 4 self taping screws into the thin fiberglass of the base. Naturally, the holes are wallowing out and becoming stripped. I'd like to find a clip nut/speed nut like the ones used for sheet metal. The clip over the edge over an unthreaded whole and provide a tread for a sheet metal or machine screw to fasten to.

The problem with using the stock items found in Ace, etc., is that they are designed for much thinner material than the fiberglass edge that the top to the pedestal fits down over. Does anyone know of a source for such a clip that would work for fiberglass? I don't have an exact measurement, but I'm guessing the fiberglass is maybe 1/8" to 3/16" thick (it's a stock pedestal on a Beneteau 361, if anyone happens to know).

I much prefer this to epoxying on a nut or wood backing. These nuts provide access to the underside of all the instruments on the pedestal and the steering gear, so they need to handle repeated removal and installing.

Any suggestions or hardware sources would be most welcome!
Thanks!

[cghubbell]

I haven't seen clip nuts in the configuration you describe (although if they exist, McMaster-Carr seems to have it every time I need anything).

Could you instead make a 1/8" aluminum or stainless backing plate and tap it for this application? I also like to thicken up think fiberglass areas with a cleanly cut piece of structural fiberglass or G-10 which you can purchase in sheets from McMaster-Carr. You could throw a metal backing plate on top of that thickener as well to really make it bulletproof.

[batkins61]

I was pointed to several options on another forum and an interesting one is a Knurled Rivet Nut (McMaster-Carr.

When I can take a look, I'll see if there's enough space around the opening for a backing plate to be bedded nicely. Thanks!