how to make a capped nut...(acorn style)

[halfevil333]

here is a quick and easy way to make a capped nut flawlessly every time...

step one: dab finger in grease
step two: apply grease to bolt, last couple of threads and a conservative dollop on the end.
step three: weld in an rainbow pattern, building a "bridge" over the gap. watch the metal and you can kinda build it up like spray foam, or silly string...
LET IT COOL SLOWLY, THEN SHOCK IT WITH COOL WATER.

 

[halfevil333]

...the grease keeps threads from locking, and also helps create the nice dome without welding EVERYTHING together...

 

[16v4nrbrgr]

Why wouldn't you just buy acorn nuts at the hardware store?

 

[halfevil333]

Because, the closest store to the garage is still about 30min. Away....
Because, I'm cheap!
Because these are for the inside of the tank where cosmetics don't matter...
...did I mention I'm cheap?

 

[2door]

Bondo and silver paint?

Tom

 

[halfevil333]

Yeah, but these are BULLET PROOF! ...and with a lil practice and possibly a dremel, they can look quite nice.
I used these for mounting hardware, inside the new tank...also leak-proof, and not affected by solvents..

 

[landuse]

OK, I am totally new to this, but what does the grease do if it is hidden under weld inside the nut. Maybe I am not understanding it properly

 

[halfevil333]

Keeps a the weld from sticking to the bolt, or from threads locking when nut gets red hot.
...and I don't actually know this, but I believe the gasses put off by the grease help dome the weld.

 

[landuse]

Keeps a the weld from sticking to the bolt, or from threads locking when nut gets red hot.
...and I don't actually know this, but I believe the gasses put off by the grease help dome the weld.

OK. I thought maybe the grease was an integral part of the acorn nut itself, and I wasn't sure what it did.

Makes sense now. Thanks

 

[2door]

I was just being facetious about the bondo. But, have you tried using stainless rod and a stainless nut? A few seconds on a bench buffer and your homemade acorns will look great. They'll Never rust and because the fastener is not a critical structural item, stainless will work well.

Tom

 

[halfevil333]

I've used stainless before, was even easier..
Simply run the threads of the bolt about 1/4"
Beyond the nut, flux it, heat n silver solder...
Dremel smooth n round, then buff, and they is SHINY!!!!