Fixing light fitting to metal cladding

[Sb8389]

Hi guys
Got a job to replace some external lights to an industrial unit.(mostly 150w LED floodlights around 12kg) All lights are currently fixed via nut and bolt with no access from inside as they have now converted to offices so unable utilise existing fixings. What do you guys recommend using to fix some heavy industrial light fittings from experience in this situation.

 

[GBDamo]

The answer is 'Rivnuts'!

These are ideal for your application, being fitted into blind holes (no rear access is required), and are available in brass, plated steel, stainless steel, and aluminium. The latter are by far the easiest to set.

Effectively a giant pop-rivet with a central female thread, the most common are in M6, M8 or M10.

I've used hundreds of the things in many applications, and including deliberately wrenching them out to test the strength. They are surprisingly strong: better than Tek Screws in thin sheet.

One point though, it's worth investing in a qualtity setting tool which is about £100-ish. It will last you a lifetime and is much better than the cheap plier-types which often jam up or cause the Rivnut to rotate in the hole.

Links here:

1. Rivnuts

2. Type of Rivnut tool NOT to buy!

3. Better Rivnut tool which actually works

Want one, no need for one but I want one