Top plate for mounting MCM aluminum legs to cabinet

[script56]

Im looking for top plate for mounting MCM aluminum legs to cabinet. Top plates are what the legs screw into on the cabinet bottoms externally. These original aluminum Jbl legs are 1/4-20 thread and I can't find any plates that take that size. Any ideas?

[Horn Fanatic]

Im looking for top plate for mounting MCM aluminum legs to cabinet. Top plates are what the legs screw into on the cabinet bottoms externally. These original aluminum Jbl legs are 1/4-20 thread and I can't find any plates that take that size. Any ideas?

JBL didn't use mounting plates, as the legs were secured by way of t-nuts. Are you trying to mount the Eames legs to a JBL cabinet?

Can you manage one of these devices mounted from the inside? It's called a nut plate. http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/mediumlarge/kys-100-7-100_sn_ml.jpg



I agree about the plates. The plates offered at hardware stores typically take a 5/16 stud.

[script56]

Yes that's what I need. My c38 must be DIY because they have plates on outside bottoms for legs to screw into. I was thinking of finding a 5/16 male to 1/4-20 female adapter. May be easier than drilling inside.

[Horn Fanatic]

[QUOTE=script56;390988]Yes that's what I need. My c38 must be DIY because they have plates on outside bottoms for legs to screw into. I was thinking of finding a 5/16 male to 1/4-20 female adapter. May be easier than drilling inside.[/QUOTE

What you're suggesting is a 5/16-18 male ~ 1/4-20 female standoff. The problem with that method, is the standoff would have to be long on the 1/4-20 side to accept the stud of the Eames leg.

My only suggestion if you wish to use a plate, is to install a heli-coil with a 1/4-20 internal thread, or preferably a swage type fastener. You may have to drill out the plate to accept the heli-coil. You would still need to drill the bottom panel to accept the remaining length of the stud, as it's length was selected to pass through a 3/4" bottom panel. I do not recommend cutting the studs short.

FYI - I had a similar problem with the C38's I built. I originally used some cheap wooden legs from a hardware store that had 5/16 studs. When I finally got around to turning my own legs I had the JBL leg in mind, and installed a 1/4-20 stud. I had to ditch the plates and install a 1/4-20 knife thread type insert. Needless, the bottom corners of my cabinets look like swiss cheese.

[script56]

Thanks. I'll prob go with knife thread inserts.

[Horn Fanatic]

Thanks. I'll prob go with knife thread inserts.

https://shop.stafast.com/threaded-inserts/inserts-for-soft-wood/screw-in/d-insert


You'll have to go through distribution for the low quantity you need. Or you might find them at a True Value hardware store.

Good luck.

[Joseph Smith Jr]

Thanks. I'll prob go with knife thread inserts.
You can use blind nuts, ANY decent hardware store will have them. Some people call them "rivet nuts"

You do NOT have to expand them unless you want to, I use them all the time to put threads where I want threads and I can't or don't want to expand them because I might damage the work piece, or because I just don't need to expand them

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't, it just depends on the job

Just drill a good fitting (tight enough to need a little tap to get them to go in) hole and set them with a little epoxy, the weight's going to be going in the right direction anyway, or, if you can get long ones you can just use a push nut, the washer through hole type, on the other side and secure that with epoxy if you are concerned about anything falling out (it won't)
A push nut is optional and all depends on what your store has in stock, it's just a suggestion in case you're worrying over it
https://www.google.com/search?q=push+nut&biw=1680&bih=925&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiBw52Yg8bMAhUY2mMKHaeKBhMQ_AUIBygC&dpr=1#imgrc=_
The more fingers the better:
http://www.springmasters.com/sp/images/starlock-push-on-fasteners.jpg

If your hardware store has a really good assortment you will see that they also come in knurled and smooth barrel types, different lengths too

If you do want to expand them, you do not need any special tools except two wrenches, a bolt the right size, a couple of washers and two nuts

They also come in just about any metal type or grade just like any other thread fastener, any of them will work fine for what you need to do:
https://www.google.com/search?q=rivet+nut&biw=1680&bih=925&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj9keuQ_sXMAhURxGMKHe7eA0cQ_AUICCgC#imgr c=_

Typical Knurled:
http://aerofpl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/blind-rivet-nut.jpg


Typical Smooth:
http://www.toolfix.com.au/images/C/NSL-NStL.jpg