How Strong Are Well Nuts? Tested!

[@FrankLadd]

Great video! I've found well nuts good for everything but lifting handles on the kayak. I've had rivets fail on handles too. At least well nuts are easy to replace in the field. If you can get to the back and there is a heavy load a big washer and lock nut are better.

[@AlanHowellphotovideo]

Holding the piece of HDPE in your hands/arm will absorb quite a bit of the flex of the material so I doubt you would see much separation at the bolts themselves. However over time, with hot and cold expansions and contraction on the kayak itself, its possible you might have enough separation at the bolts to have some slight leaking into the hull. Be sure to add some marine grade sealant as a backup.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Yes, let's see how it goes on the steering hack over this next season! Thanks for the other advice

[@helicopterjohns]

Something that may???? help is putting some type of rigid backing plate (i.e. aluminum) between your t slot rail and the actual kayak surface to distribute the stress over a larger area. John

[@KayakhacksFishing]

That would be a great idea. The problem with many installation is you cannot reach the hole. We will see over the course of the season.

[@helicopterjohns]

@@KayakhacksFishing I was referring to the outer surface between the t slot rail not the inner surface as a backing plate so the holes on the outer surface would be accessible. Of course, depending on where you mount the device there may not be room for a plate that increases the surface support area. Just something you might???? want to try someday if appropriate surface area is available. John

[@KayakhacksFishing]

@@helicopterjohns Thanks for the clarification! Good point!

[@stillwaitingonmymatchwithj8765]

I use well nuts for everything on my kayak from the anchor trolley to my fish bag tiedown points. Never had an issue. About to use them to install a rod holder to the inside bed of my truck. A lot of wind resistance coming over the cab so we will see how that works...

[@fredfable5655]

well...I think they are very good! I will check on them soon! Thanks for bringing a system I didnt know. Regards. Fred.

[@TrinityRolling]

Exactly what I was looking for before I used them with my anchor trolley!

[@davidwolf7351]

I was just about to say - move the string out toward the end of the track mount - then ---nevermind. Looking forward to seeing your steering hack.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Stay tuned!

[@racerx12003r]

Talk to me about this control arm. I like what I see. Haven't had the chance to take my Jackson out yet. Seems like life just keeps getting in the way, but I like the looks of it. Thanks.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Stay tuned! Working on it.

[@racerx12003r]

@@KayakhacksFishing I always do. Look forward to your videos every week.

[@charlieboutin3341]

Good testing! 👍👍 I tested some from hardware store to 70lbs with no problem, for attaching handles to 50lb kayaks 3 years ago. Thanks for sharing your tests. Let us know how the new steering system works, I think that will be a huge improvement. Have a great week! God Bless

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Stay tuned for the steering hack!

[@dalec.1907]

Good visual demonstration , you got it👍👍

[@ashtonians]

I have installed quite a few well nuts on my kayaks in the past year and have found them to to super strong. The only ones that started to pull out were the ones I installed improperly by drilling the holes too large. When towing another kayak with a 130 lb person in it for a half mile, with the tow line being jerked repeatedly, the two poorly installed well nuts dislodged slightly. Even then, I could have gotten much further before they would have fully disengaged. As long as you can access the underside of the surface so that the hole is smaller than the nut, I'd say these things are sufficient to handle anything and everything you might throw at them in regular usage.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I am going to do another stress test as part of my kayak setup series looking at different types of rivets vs well nuts. Like you, I think the nuts work fine.

[@TheJcdm327]

I think you have demonstrated that the well nuts are pretty strong under side stress. However, how would they hold up if they were pulled out vertically instead of horizontally. Also it would be interesting to see if "impact" force would yank them out or even damage the plastic. Mount the plastic and t-track assembly and then drop the weight both from the side and the top.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Some other folks asked that as well, but I could not think of a situation (other than using a well nut on a handle) where that would ever happen. And.. lol... I've used the track and the HDPE on my steering build. When I get more, I'll take a look at that situation.

[@TheJcdm327]

@@KayakhacksFishing the only situation I can think of that happening is on a anchor trolley where let's say a 250lb. fisherman is anchored toward the front or back of the kayak. There's slack in the line when the kayak gets caught in river current and begins to flow down stream where the line will go tight and jerk on the well nut. Obviously we have hopefully installed quick releases... but then maybe we panic and don't get it released in time. My theory is that the plastic will bend/stretch and give way before the well nut fails. Or perhaps the rubber on the well nut fails and rips off. Either way I appreciate your video. It certainly offers some confidence in wellnuts.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Good point!

[@TrilobitesRTasty]

​@@KayakhacksFishing - Just a suggestion. Although it would certainly NOT be much of a tensile stress on the well nuts, versus shear stress, I believe the "Railblaza Kayak Motor Mount" might provide some tensile stress if well nuts were used to install the two "Railblaza StarPort" bases to the kayak. Once a 25+/- pound trolling motor is attached, if the "padeye" supporting that trolling motor might jar loose, the two StarPorts would remain to support the trolling motor...perhaps offering some leverage to lift the Well Nuts. Again, not a likely scenario...but I'm planning on using well nuts. I think. :)

[@KayakhacksFishing]

@@TrilobitesRTasty I am doing the winter maintenance on my kayak and took off all the accessories. At the start of the year, I upgraded my steering using a T Track attached with two well nuts. The steering puts tremendous lateral force on the track/nuts. When I looked at it, all is good. No movement and still solid.

[@richkucharski8824]

Really enjoy your commend since way of looking at problems and opportunities. thank you

[@dani1i1i1i1]

I use them to attach Quick Fist mounts to the ceiling of my cargo van using factory holes. Keeps light weight objects like brooms and levels off the floor. When my lease is up, I just unscrew them and reuse them. I've used the same set in three vans and have never had one pull through.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Great idea

[@alexanderwebb680]

I heard well nuts are used to attach the windshields of motorcycle to their brackets. So they withstand quite a bit of force in that application as well. I'm thinking of using some in a hobby project where I'm creating an ABS plastic enclosure for a lithium ion battery and some electrical components. My goal is for the enclosure to be water resistant, but also very sturdy.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks for that tip. I did not know that!

[@charlescox4213]

Great test maybe you can also test the waterproof ability of them I always wondered since I used them on my anchor trolley.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Great idea! Thanks!

[@artkitzmiller957]

I sure hope you are going to show us your installation of your new steering knobs! I have a Jackson Big Rig and even as strong as I think I am it is a brute to slide those little knobs back and forth. So tell me you videoed your installation. Also a link to your buddy's system,

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Stay tuned! Working on it.

[@artkitzmiller957]

@@KayakhacksFishing Thanks so much. I am waiting with BAITED breath!

[@WaynJul]

Good test. I just installed a zig zag rope cleat. It came with pop rivets and I used them. Was thinking about well nuts as well.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I think rivets are better if you can get the rivet gun flush.

[@WaynJul]

I forgot to mention I did have to grind some off the inside of the cleat so the rivet gun would fit.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks

[@jjr007]

@@KayakhacksFishing I stacked some small washers on the stem of the rivet 5 or 6 to help get it flush.

[@pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN]

I think the issue will be more about the type of plastic and thickness of it on whatever kayak these are used on, what kind of force ( sideways, horizontal and repetitive ) is going to be introduced. I'm sure for a rudder lever they'll be fine.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Good points!

[@docbailey3265]

Very nice. Do you have a hack for toilet paper in case we all run out?

[@KayakhacksFishing]

lol! The Roman Army used sponges and washed them. Hope it does not come to that!

[@Peter-ml1is]

Very interesting - what size well nuts were these please?

[@KayakhacksFishing]

They were M5

[@huckfin1100]

Thank you for that I was wondering

[@glennrobbins2372]

Had them fail on an aftermarket paddle clip but I think they were cheap. Going to hardware store and see if I can't get better ones. I might even get washers and nuts for the machine screws that came with the clip. I can access them through a storage hatch.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I noticed these come with either short or long rubber sections. Get the long version if you can find it.

[@glennrobbins2372]

Going to home depot today to see what I can find. I was thinking the same thing

[@glennrobbins2372]

Wound up getting washers and lock nuts and securing them that way. Good thing I have long arms and the hatch space is wide open.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

@@glennrobbins2372 That works!

[@justinwhite5859]

Gunn use them on front aluminum boat to mount led light bar thanx

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Right on

[@douglastinsley4849]

I wonder how good they will work mounting Stabilizers on a kayak

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I think they would not be strong enough

[@philipbrown8574]

I bought a metal framed seat for my kayak, I want to anchor it to the top rails of my kayak, I made a boo-boo and ordered not Wells from eBay and it did not mention the size of them I believe they are in fours with a 1 inch screw I don’t believe the nut wells are big enough to hold body weight without loosening up I’m thinking of buying the M fives which is the next one up! Would you agree to that because to me it just seems like the M fours are too small but the M sixes which I believe takes a quarter 20 bolts it’s too big

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I really can't give any advice on this. A seat will have plenty of stress - far more than I encounter with my accessories. If anything, over compensate and go big.

[@philipbrown8574]

@@KayakhacksFishing awesome I do agree, thank you, I’ll go wit the m6’s and be done with it

[@greggfederer7868]

Can you please tell me what size is the well nut, what is the bolt size and thread pitch?

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Sorry for the late reply. I finally found out. I used some from Amazon that were M5x22 screw with a M5 wellnut. amzn.to/381Ug5L You can get them from Lowes as well in non-metric - www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-24-x-10-Brass-Brass-Well-Nut/3012493

[@mikep3322]

I use well nuts for my scotty rod holder

[@KayakhacksFishing]

good call!

[@000pete9]

You are applying shear force perpendicular to the axis of the bolt from what I can see,, what if you apply pulling force to the axis, this could show the strength of the deformed retaining bolt-nut assembly..

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Yes, by being perpendicular to the bolt, it mimics the force on the typical attachment. I am not aware of any attachment that would pull parallel to the bolt (ie vertical out of the track).

[@TheWwbartman354]

The only thing that I see is the piece you are holding is smaller area than on the Kayak should still work

[@KayakhacksFishing]

We will see over the course of the season.

[@ralphhilliard9737]

What size we’ll nuts were you using for the T Track? Does that make a difference?

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I was using size M5. Yes, it will probably make a difference. I used the largest size that would fit the T Track without poking out of the hole.

[@ralphhilliard9737]

@@KayakhacksFishing that is great information. If you have a source, you could add the Link.. you have a great channel 👍. I am learning a ton. Thanks for doing it..

[@KayakhacksFishing]

@@ralphhilliard9737 These are the ones I use - amzn.to/3PkW4Yz

[@jimkeeling]

Nothing better than "ole school"

[@9w2xne23]

rubber wellnut wont hold good if constant movement or heavy pulled. on mine it failed alot of times. plus if it being left out side in high heat.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Good points!

[@chrism8013]

Semi flawed test... You are hanging the weight as to put the pressure on the screws, not the entire well nut assembly. The screws are taking the weight and pressing against the side of the screw hole. Hang the weight again, but this time hold the plastic mount horizontal to the ground, as opposed to vertical. This will put the stress on the entire well nut assembly with regards to the drilled hole in sits in.

[@retnav92]

My thought also. Hold the test piece so that the track is horizontal to the ground, and move the weight further out on the end of the T-nut mounted piece, which will provide more torqueing pressure on the well nuts. Any way to get a backing plate inside the hull to distribute the pressue?

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Good idea

[@keithschrader1426]

Your loading the well nuts along the long axis of the rail, a better test would be to load 90 degrees to the rail.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Good point!

[@keithschrader1426]

@@KayakhacksFishing gets to be a vector/ moment problem my guess is it would fail. Did it work for your application?

[@KayakhacksFishing]

@@keithschrader1426 All good so far.

[@michaelgonzalez8863]

I’ve never had one fail

[@jerry-381]

Not sure what your application is so I don't know if well nuts will work but we'll nuts are pretty strong. I used then to install the pulley's for my anchor trollies in all my kayaks and haven't had one pull out or become lose yet. But your test doesn't work because your arms are absorbing some of the weight. For a more accurate test you might consider mounting the HDPE to something vertical so there is nothing absorbing the weight.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Good point. Thanks!

[@Dave-ty2qp]

The only way to know is to duplicate the kayak material thickness, and give the material a shear load, and a tension load till fail. I think you will find the well nuts will exceed any parameter of load you will encounter on a kayak. LOL

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I'll find out over this next season as I use the steering hack!

[@coachman290651]

mmm viewer of one well well thats nuts lol

[@daviddura1172]

nice test ...but the suggestions about HORIZONTAL was on my mind........we could get the PROJECT FARM GUY to do a test.....he'll test to DESTRUCTION......seriously, he is very thorough and informative....

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I was thinking about horizontal some more and realized a well nut would never be stressed perpendicular to the track. The only time would be if somebody used a well nut to attach a handle (and that would be an inappropriate use). For our typical applications with rod holders, etc, the force is always parallel to the nut.

[@cliffordrandell735]

Any man who can pick up 30lbs with his nuts has my respect...

[@KayakhacksFishing]

lol!

[@cliffordrandell735]

@@KayakhacksFishing Great video in all seriousness :) Helped me choose the right fastener.

[@heidentubrefinishing2976]

Screws would do the same

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Actually, I recommend not using screws. The HDPE of a typical kayak only a 1/8" or so thick and they would tear out under stress.

[@yakin_n_bassin8203]

Can you do the same test but a comparison video using screws, rivets, and well nuts?

[@dmax2023]

Great for use with a lot of accessories. If you need something super strong for a carry handle or motor mount I found these on amazon. Each one is rated for 80lbs. www.amazon.com/dp/B01IU6HG48/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_u8TREb72V2Z30

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Wow! great find! I have a few applications in mind already.