I need to install two threaded inserts into my tracs roof, for that I need a tool called a thread setter, cannot find one to rent, beg borrow or steal, must be a better way short of buying one for 100 plus :eek:

Are you talking about this:

Threaded Insert Riveter (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=1210)

Thx AGZ
That may be the ticket

I'm sure you can find those anywhere. I know we have one around the garage.

are you talking about a tap and die set? those can be had for pretyt cheap from harborfreight

The one posted by AGZ stated; "just drill a hole through aluminum" so that one may not work on steel.

What are you installing? I may have something that will work and I can just pop it in the mail for ya. Yo just use a ratchet and a bolt through this little spacer and by tightening the bolt it will expand the flange under the sheet metal- back out the bolt and you now have a threaded insert. I'll go take a pic and save some typing.

Hope this helps.

the first pic is the final installation of a pirce of 1"x1" steel framing to the floor of my van using one of these sheet metal nuts i got from a comany that I purchased a partion that goes behind the driver. I use the extra "nuts' to intall a rack that I built. These photos show how it looks before the installation (of course the cardboard represents the sheetmetal). With a ratchet you just drive the bolt down and the nut will pull up to the sheetmetal and flange out snadwiching the sheetmetal. An air ratchet works best if you need to do a bunch.

Am Getting ready to mount my Saleen wing, thx all, Was able to get a body shop to insert the fasteners, they had an airtool device to do it, one minute and one case of Bud,All I did was drill the holes.
The inserts are the same used to mount the roof rack rails, again thanks for the input
Regards, S