Tee Nuts, To Harden Or Not?

[jpfabricator]

I picked up some unknonium this morning to make some "t" nuts for my mill. Should I attempt to harden them or not? If so what are the advantages, besides a longer service life?

Sent from somewhere in East Texas Jake Parker

 

[Ken_Shea]

Jake,
Personally, I wouldn't bother hardening them, just not needed, you won't ever wear them out.

 

[RJSakowski]

I made sets of Tee nuts with 5/16-16 thread and 1/2-20 thread out of hot rolled steel. No hardening. That was thirty years ago and they are all as good as when they were made.

 

[Alan Douglas]

You would much rather wear out the nuts than the mill table.

 

[EmilioG]

OP, good question. What about V blocks? Starrett are hardened while B&S's are not. Should
V blocks be hardened? or purchased hardened like Starretts?

 

[John Hasler]

OP, good question. What about V blocks? Starrett are hardened while B&S's are not. Should
V blocks be hardened? or purchased hardened like Starretts?

Wear on V-blocks could affect accuracy.

 

[Ulma Doctor]

No need to harden the T nuts JP, they will work unhardened even if they are mild steel!

 

[The Liberal Arts Garage]

Don't make the studs too long or the nuts too deep. That mostly covers it.
.........BLJHB

 

[EmilioG]

Tubalcain has a video on making T nuts. YouTube.

 

[Ulma Doctor]

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