T-Nuts for Strong Threaded Fastening in Wood, Aluminum, and Slot Systems
When your application involves wood panels, T-slot aluminum extrusions, or track-based mounting, T-Nuts offer an efficient way to create secure, reusable, and hidden-threaded connections. These fasteners provide low-profile threading from the inside out, ideal for flush surfaces, modular structures, and adjustable frames.
At Dongguan Sango Hardware Fasteners Co., Ltd., we manufacture a wide variety of T-Nuts for use in furniture, automation systems, 3D printers, and industrial aluminum profile assemblies, with support for standard and custom configurations.
1. What Is a T-Nut?
A T-Nut (or Tee Nut) is a threaded insert with a wide flange or head, typically shaped like the letter “T”, designed to embed into wood, plastic, or aluminum slots to provide permanent internal threads. They are used to receive bolts or screws from the opposite side of a panel or extrusion.
🔩 Key Benefits:
- Provides strong female threads in soft or thin materials
- Allows for flush or hidden installation
- Prevents wood tear-out or deformation from repeated assembly
- Common in T-slot framing, panel mounting, and base plate fixing
- Easily adjustable within slot systems
2. Common Types of T-Nuts
🔹 Pronged T-Nut (for Wood)
- Features 4 or 3 sharp prongs that embed into wood when hammered in
- Used in furniture, speakers, wood-based fixtures
🔹 Drop-In T-Nut (for T-slot)
- Slides or drops into aluminum profile grooves
- Ideal for aluminum extrusion systems like 2020, 3030, or 4040 profiles
🔹 Hammer T-Nut / Roll-in Nut
- Installed by twisting into the slot and securing with spring force
- Used in field assembly of modular aluminum frames
🔹 Weld T-Nut
- Designed for permanent installation via welding
- Suitable for steel brackets, frames, fixtures
🔹 Base-Flange T-Nut with Holes
- Mounts using screws into thin materials
- Used when prongs are unsuitable or panel thickness varies
3. Applications of T-Nuts
T-Nuts are widely used in scenarios requiring strong but invisible threading in soft or channel-based materials:
- 🪑 Furniture joints, adjustable shelves, bed frames
- 🧱 T-slot aluminum extrusion builds, 3D printer frames, robot bases
- 🧰 Fixtures for CNC machines, laser cutters, industrial carts
- 🛠 Cabinet assemblies, acoustic panel frames, tool stands
- 🧪 Laboratory structures, sensor mounting, linear guides
- 🚲 Bicycle accessories, outdoor assemblies, composite board connections
4. Material and Finish Options
| Material | Features | Best Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Steel | Strong and economical | Wood furniture, structural bracing |
| Stainless Steel (304/316) | Corrosion-resistant, clean appearance | Aluminum profiles, marine use |
| Zinc Alloy / Die-cast | Lightweight, cost-effective, non-sparking | DIY furniture, electronics cases |
| Brass | Decorative, conductive | Audio furniture, electronics |
Finish options:
- Zinc plating for corrosion resistance in indoor use
- Black oxide for steel (anti-glare)
- Passivation for stainless parts
- Nickel plating for aesthetic and conductivity
- Powder coating for color customization
5. Customization from Sango Hardware
We offer:
- 📏 Thread sizes: M3–M12 or #6–1/2"
- 📐 Profile compatibility: 2020, 3030, 4040 aluminum T-slots
- ⚙️ Prong lengths: Short, standard, long prongs (for different wood densities)
- 🧩 Installation types: Press-in, drop-in, twist-lock, weldable
- 🔧 Custom hole patterns, spring-loaded clips, locking ribs
Also supported:
- OEM logo stamping or part coding
- CAD files, installation guides, torque recommendations
- Packaging in kits for frame systems or retail
6. Case Study: T-Nuts in Aluminum Modular Workbenches
Client: European workstation systems integrator
Problem: Bolted joints in 4040 aluminum profiles were loosening due to repeated repositioning and dynamic load
Sango Solution:
- Delivered M8 spring-loaded hammer T-nuts with ball detent and stainless body
- Provided slot force testing and fitment reports
Result:
- Increased fixture reliability under vibration
- Allowed field operators to reconfigure stations quickly
- Reduced customer complaints and improved part inventory simplicity
7. Why Choose Sango Hardware for T-Nuts?
🏭 Cold-Formed + CNC Machined Precision
- Clean threads, flat flange faces, and anti-rotation designs
🧪 Performance Testing
- Pull-through resistance, vibration retention, corrosion resistance
📐 Design & Engineering Support
- Slot compatibility verification, wood tear-out analysis, torque charts
📦 Global-Ready Delivery
- ISO 9001, RoHS, REACH certified; kitted for assembly or OEM branding
8. Conclusion: Versatile Threading Made Easy with T-Nuts
Whether you're building flat-pack furniture, framing an automation cell, or mounting tools in extrusion rails, T-Nuts provide a compact, powerful, and reusable threading solution. At Sango Hardware, we offer standard and custom T-Nuts optimized for every material, load, and installation method.
Contact Dongguan Sango Hardware Fasteners Co., Ltd. now to get the best T-Nut solutions for your application.