T-slot and T-nut sizing and clearance

[AmericanMachinist]

Hello,

I am contemplating making a set of T-nuts for a new-to-me rotary table with a 3/4" wide slot with a 1/2" wide opening.

I have T-nuts that I made in the past which are 0.685" wide. I was contemplating making the new nuts ~0.730" for the 0.750" slot. Admittedly I am not sure how much clearance is in manufactured nuts, and am wondering if I should just use the 0.685" nuts. They just don't reach as far to the edges of the slots. However, given that the nuts compress the work against the t-slot lips rather than pull up on the lips (only the force of machining does so), these are probably just fine, no need for new nuts.

Is that logical - use the slightly narrower nuts?

P.S. Anyone have a commercial Te-Co nut for 3/4" slot and know the width?

Thanks!

 

[tjb]

I have made T-nuts that fit very nicely in one rotary table but are a little narrow for another table. I use them anyway, and I've never had any problems. Not ideal, but they get the job done with no perceivable compromise.

Regards

 

[mmcmdl]

P.S. Anyone have a commercial Te-Co nut for 3/4" slot and know the width?

Just a few .

 

[benmychree]

I'd think about 1/64" clearance would be just fine. Too close, and chips can make it difficult to move things easily.

 

[Martin W]

A T nut that fits in a 3/4" slot, is 11/16". have a 5/8" -11 thread 1-1/2" long 1-1/8" wide and 15/32" tall shoulder. That's what my T slot nut dimensions are.
Cheers
Martin

 

[benmychree]

A 5/8 stud in a 11/16 wide T nut makes for thin walls at the sides of the nut that may tend to split, especially on homemade nuts, not heat treated.
I would use 1/2" studs on that size slot.

 

[aliva]

Make some these much easier to put in the slot they just drop in and turn

 

[T Bredehoft]

What an idea!!! Hooda thunkit.

 

[aliva]

I made these last summer. Haven't used them yet but the next time I use my rotary table they should come in handy

 

[tjb]

Oh, I like those! Using undersized T-nuts is essentially the same thing, so why not just make a universal style that will fit almost anything?

If that's 1/4" quadrille paper, they look to be about 1-3/4" x 3/4"? How tall are they, and what size thread pattern did you use?

Great idea.

Regards