Can Rivet Nuts Be Removed and Reused? – Methods, Limitations & Expert Advice

Rivet nuts, also known as rivnuts or blind rivet nuts, are widely used in industries like sheet metal fabrication, automotive, and furniture manufacturing. Their popularity comes from their ability to provide strong threads in thin materials and their compatibility with blind installations. However, a common question from users is: Can rivet nuts be removed once installed? And can they be reused?

How to Remove a Rivet Nut

Rivet nuts are designed to be installed permanently. During installation, the tail of the nut is pulled and deformed to expand behind the base material, forming a tight mechanical lock. This plastic deformation makes removal difficult and typically irreversible.

If removal is absolutely necessary, several methods exist, though they are destructive. The most common method is drilling—using a power drill to bore through the center of the rivet nut or to carefully drill around the flange to break it free. Another option is cutting, using a rotary tool, milling machine, or saw to slice off the nut from the panel. This carries a high risk of damaging the base material. In some cases, a technician might attempt to punch the rivet nut out from the reverse side, but this only works for softer materials and has a low success rate. Destructive removal using grinders or cutters is also possible but will inevitably ruin the rivet nut and may damage the surrounding area.

In all of these methods, the rivet nut is destroyed. Therefore, these techniques should be considered only when absolutely necessary and with full awareness of the risks involved.

Can Rivet Nuts Be Reused?

Rivet nuts are not reusable. Their core function relies on structural deformation during installation, which alters their shape permanently. Once this shape is compromised, the nut cannot be reinstalled with the same strength or reliability.

Reusing a removed rivet nut could result in stripped threads, weak anchoring, or even fastener failure during application. For safety, durability, and quality reasons, it is strongly advised that rivet nuts be used only once and replaced with a new unit if removed.

What to Use When Reusability Is Required

If your project or product design requires repeated assembly and disassembly, rivet nuts may not be the right choice. In such cases, consider alternative fasteners designed for reusability. Weld nuts are suitable for steel structures that require durable threads. Press-in nuts work well with plastic or soft metals and can be reused several times. Threaded inserts, such as Helicoil, are also excellent for reinforcing tapped holes and allowing for repeat tightening without damage.

For structures requiring occasional replacement of threaded parts, cage nuts or other modular fastening solutions might be more appropriate.

Xinchi Fasteners – Your Trusted Rivet Nut Manufacturer

At Xinchi Fasteners, we specialize in manufacturing high-performance fastening solutions. Our factory produces pronged T nuts and barbed T nuts, and we are expanding to include a full production line for rivet nuts. With 102 cold heading machines, a 30,000㎡ facility, and a daily output capacity of over 10 million pieces, we are committed to providing customers with consistent quality, competitive pricing, and fast delivery.

XINCHI is a trustworthy fastener company, especially in furniture nuts. We have a factory,  founded in 2007. We are the designated fastener supplier to“STAPLE”. As a trusted fastener supplier, XINCHI offers a wide range of high-quality fasteners, including nuts, screws, bolts, rivets, and washers. If you would like to learn more about fasteners or are interested in wholesale fasteners, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our experienced and expert service team will reply as soon as possible.

If you’re looking for a reliable rivet nut supplier or want to learn more about alternative fastening solutions, feel free to contact us today.