T-Nuts Suck Ass

May 1, 2008 by Lukas Gilkey



T-Nuts and Hurricane Nuts are great for some things, but lately I've been building some new subs and with a proper roundover on the rear of the baffle the T-Nuts don't do so well. I've seen some pretty ingenious methods of recessing small landings in the roundover for the T-Nuts, but that seems a bit overkill. If you have ever had a T-Nut come loose on the inside of an enclosure, you'll understand my frustration with them. It may not happen everytime, but once is enough... it sucks. On top of that, don't even get me started on how many T-Nuts come with jacked up threads.

Up until now there really hasn't been any great alternatives. Drywall screws work, but they aren't exactly pleasing to the eye.


John Krutke of Zaph Audio mentioned these new 1.25" Black Oxide Hex Socket Head Screws from Madisound in one of his forum posts. I've got 100 on order, and will be making the switch from T-Nuts. Sure you won't be able to install and remove a driver 100 times without stripping the holes, but these should hold up plenty well for 99% of the people that use them.

Screw you T-Nuts, I'm moving onto bigger and better things.

Source: Madisound
Source: Zaph Audio
Source: HT Guide Forum
Comments (6)
Mike Edgar 3 months and 4 weeks ago

I switched to huricane nuts when they first came out.... I've probably used at least a 1000 or so in the last 4 or 5 years.... I can only think of one time (10x32 thread, stupid choice) where I crossthreaded one and that made a 5 minute job into 2 hours...

I dunno, I just really like metal on metal for mounting divers...

John Krutke cracks me up sometimes.... :)
dookieface 3 months and 4 weeks ago

The trick with T nuts is to build your box with one side missing, for example leave the top of the box off. Then you mount your speaker in the cutout hole with the bolts & T nuts. Once you sinch them down completley glue the T nut in place with some wood glue. After the glue dries take the bolts out and remove the speaker, glue the top on your box, seal it from the inside w/some silicone. Then you put the speaker back in and install the blots.

Also it helps to buy the T nut and bolts from Home Depot or Lowes so you can make sure the ones you buy thread correctly.
lukas 3 months and 4 weeks ago

I don't glue mine, so that is probably where the problem lies. I just think they are more hassle than it is worth and I'm stoked there are now some good looking screws I can use instead.
mjf595 3 months and 3 weeks ago

really wish there was an easier way to get around all of the mounting issues, wish i could just use machine bolts and nuts.
Slusbe 3 months and 3 weeks ago

I agree somewhat... I mean T-Nuts are great when they're working right, but when you make a mistake putting them in, or accidentally pop them out while installing the woofer, they suck royally
djman37 3 months and 3 weeks ago

I use a different kind that have screw holes for mounting!!! For KEEPING those crappy ones in place, fast-set epoxy worked for me.
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