Fasteners for thin (ish) GRP panels

[Normb666]

John - I believe the new glass side windows will only fit into the new-mould doors, so if you've got an old set, they won't go. But knowing you, I bet you'll be able to make your own up from melting down a few old beer and wine bottles you've still got hanging about since Crimbo.... probably end up nicely tinted too, depending which ones you choose

[john]

Might be a step too far Norm��, we do have a source locally which can drill, shape and curve glass but I'm kinda thinkin life's too short. Especially at the moment.

[Willtord]

Sorry I'm late to the party guys, I'm new here, hi.

I've seen manufacturers like Reliant and TVR use "rivnuts" (rivet nuts) in years gone by, to secure fibreglass. In my experience though, unless they're used on thicker reinforced areas, they normally produce cracks in the material, due to expansion of the sleeve during the "rivetting" phase.

Airbus and Boeing use "anchor nuts". These are good because they provide a wider fixing area for the distribution of forces, but unfortunately need rivetting again which can lead to the aforementioned cracks, unless you were to forgo the rivetting, and secure them in place with fibreglass or an adhesive.

"Well nuts" are good anti-vibration mounts, but they result in a less attractive end result if they're visible after they're fitted.

"Jack nuts" and Versa Nuts" are probably a good option, (jack nuts if you're into weight saving!), as there's no expansion of the pilot hole required, but they do need more room behind the panel because they start off being a little longer than the other options.

A few are illustrated here (I'm not an affiliate):https://www.rivetwise.co.uk/rivets/rivet-nuts.asp

Velcro has been mentioned. Mclaren used 3M "Dual Lock" to secure the number plates on the F1 road cars. I've personally used it for numerous applications. It's great stuff, but not a "flush fit" option, unfortunately, it's quite thick. Also not recommended if the part is going to be removed on a regular basis, unless it's used sparingly.

Hope the above helps someone, sometime in the future.

[Iowstratos]

Most of the time in the aircraft industry they use wide foot anchor nuts held in place with 120’ counter sunk black alloy rivets which are very soft.

[Fingers]

Most of the time in the aircraft industry they use wide foot anchor nuts held in place with 120’ counter sunk black alloy rivets which are very soft.

I haven't seen those, most of the anchor nuts I've seen on the Boeing and Airbus aircraft I've worked are quite narrow and use ms20426 3/32 AD 100 degree rivets or EC2216 adhesive to bond them on, depending on the structure they're attached to. What are the wide foot a/nuts like? And don't mention those rotten alloy ratching receptacles Airbus use that corrode and split in two after an hour in service! And when you're putting a panel on you find the very last one pops off!

[Iowstratos]

I have not got the rivets to hand, but hears an anchor nut, floating type.
They were good of the worlds largest hovercraft, heaviest flying boat, fastest accelerating interceptor plane, woulds fastest cars, and the only satellite rockets.
All made on the Isle of Wight!

[Fingers]

I know the ones, they work well. I bought some metric ones the same to use in my Stratos.