Nuts & Bolts - I can't figure these bolts out, have I lost my mind or what?

[VroomGrrl]

I feel kind of stupid even asking, I'm sure it's something simple. But I cannot figure it out.

We brought home a "easy assembly" metal gazebo from Lowe's last night. One of these:


So it has several sized nuts & bolts. I get everything laid out, checked off the list, and start assembly. The first bolt - I cannot get the nut to travel beyond the end of the bolt. Go ahead and laugh - I'm sure it's something stupid. All the bolts are the same and do the same thing. What am I missing? Here's a video showing the bolt & nut up close:



HELP?

If you are in Birmingham, PM me, I will pay you to come over and put this &^%! thing together for me!

[Oh Haha]

They are most likely locking bolts. If there is no plastic at the end the nut is oval shaped creating the locking mechanism. No need for locking washers.

EDIT--Watched the video again and they are the plastic-insert lock nuts. Just tighten them down adn you'll go to go.

[VroomGrrl]

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

They are most likely locking bolts. If there is no plastic at the end the nut is oval shaped creating the locking mechanism. No need for locking washers.

EDIT--Watched the video again and they are the plastic-insert lock nuts. Just tighten them down adn you'll go to go.

I can't get the nut past the end of the bolt as shown in the video. THey don't tighten anything together, it's all just hanging loose flopping around between the end of the bolt & the nut. I can't get the nut to turn on the bolt more than a turn or so until the end of the bolt is flush with the nut, and then it stops. Grrrrr!

[Rick Lee]

Are you trying to do this with your fingers, just to see if they go together, or with a wrench? Locking or nylock nuts usually won't got far with fingers. Wrenches are your friend here.

[Oh Haha]

You will be using them to fasten the poles and what not together to make the gazebo.

You will have to use a wrench or socket on both the nut and the bolt to tighten them.


What part of the gazebo do those go to?

NYLOCK!! that's the term I was looking for for those. Thanks Rick

[Rot 911]

Looks like a typical nylock nut to me. You will need a wrench or a ratchet and socket to tighten it up.

[Eric 951]

Those are nylock locking nuts--they are nylon-lined. You won't be able to get them far using finger-power. Should be just fine when you apply the wrench

[Zeke]

That is so cool, a video that perfectly describes the problem! Vroomgirl, teach us all!!!

Yes, those are definitely Nylock nuts which have a nylon locking insert. You don't need those for a gazebo, but since you have them, just put a wrench on the bolt and run the nut up with a socket. A real good way to assemble something like that is with the socket in your battery drill and a back up wrench. That is because there will be resistance all the way from threading the nut to tight. Your wrist will get tired after a few. Battery drills rule!

[pwd72s]

look at the valve covers on your 911...same type of nuts should be there...

[VroomGrrl]

Ha! TOOLS!

Well yall know I am not a wrench, never so obvious as today.

Application of tools solved my problem. I just didn't think they were fitting together properly if I couldn't turn the nut down the bolt by hand. DOH! THanks yall

I've brought all the pieces into the cool of the house for pre-assembly. Boy is it tedious. But hopefully I'll have the component parts together by the time my (TALL) husband is home so he can help me get it up. So to speak. Ar ar ar ar ar

I have a feeling I'll be back again before this job is done.

[VroomGrrl]

OK well this is mighty tedious, but effective. I now have the four two-piece bars that go around the top together. Once I have some help, these will be set atop the corner supports and fastened all around.

Now you know why I leave the work on my car to the professionals!

Thanks for not making fun of me.

TOOLS. Who'd a thunk it???

[cstreit]

Here's the thing though...

You said you can't get them on more than one turn? Usually you can get a few turns out of a nylock before you hit the actual nylon insert. You're putting it on so the nylon faces away from the bolt-head right?

Are you sure you're not cross-threading? Take one off and make sure the threads aren't boogered up.

[VroomGrrl]

Originally Posted by cstreit

Here's the thing though...

You said you can't get them on more than one turn? Usually you can get a few turns out of a nylock before you hit the actual nylon insert. You're putting it on so the nylon faces away from the bolt-head right?

Are you sure you're not cross-threading? Take one off and make sure the threads aren't boogered up.

Yeah I had them facing the right way. I did have one that was kind of screwy (hahaha) and way too hard to turn but there was an extra so I swapped that one out. The rest went along just fine. Thanks for checking tho, with me, nothing can be assumed.

[on2wheels52]

Tools separate us from animals.
Jim

[TerryH]

The Nylock nut is lined with nylon to provide interference and eliminate the need for a lock washer. They work especially well for low torque applications where you don't want the nut to work itself loose.

Nylock nuts are typically not made to be re-used with the same effectiveness. So try not to assemble your gazebo more than once.

[juanbenae]

did any of you see that show on BBC America called "should i smoke dope"? the lady puts together an ikea table sober and nails it. she then gets high and trys another table that was close to but not the same and she had a hell of a time & ended up on the couch watching TV with the table spread all over the living room.

it was apparently not OSHA approved weed. 20 years ago when i was a carpenter we had approved & non approved stash. we would only smoke the non approved after work..

you a pothead vrrrrmm?

t

[jyl]

Tools separate us from animals.

Jim

Hey don't insult vroomie. She was stoned is all.

Say it v, "I am not an animal. I am a human being.". Trumpet.

[teenerted1]

i cant build anything from ikea sober
have to get in the same frame of mind as the swede that made the drawings for the guys in china to gather all the parts into the same box and ship to the USA...must be like building a Prius

[bell]

at least she doesn't duct tape insects to the walls......

( a new use for duct tape.... )

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by milt

That is so cool, a video that perfectly describes the problem! Vroomgirl, teach us all!!!

Now if we could only train the guys posting "Hey, what's wrong?" on the 911 tech board, we'd be all right.