4-Prong T Nuts vs. Cage Nuts: Differences and Applications

In the fastener industry, 4-Prong T Nuts and Cage Nuts are two products that are often confused due to their names. Although both are classified as nuts, their structures, installation methods, and applications differ significantly.

As a professional fastener supplier, XINCHI is pleased to introduce the differences between them and help you select the right fastener for your specific needs.

What Are 4-Prong T Nuts?

4-Prong T Nuts are a type of special nut with a flat base and four sharp prongs. When hammered or pressed into wooden panels, the prongs bite into the material, providing a solid and reusable threaded insert for screws or bolts.

• Applications: Furniture manufacturing, woodworking projects, cabinets, wooden frames, and chair bases.
• Advantages: Simple installation, reliable thread connection in wood, prevents the nut from spinning or loosening.

In the furniture industry, 4-Prong T Nuts are especially valued because they allow repeated assembly and disassembly of parts without damaging the wood.

What Are Cage Nuts?

Cage Nuts consist of a square nut housed in a spring steel cage. The cage allows the nut to clip into square rack holes, which makes them indispensable in server racks and industrial enclosures.

• Applications: 19-inch server racks, telecom equipment, industrial cabinets, and network enclosures.
• Advantages: Replaceable and adjustable nut position, flexibility in installation, suitable for metal frames, and strong load capacity.

Cage Nuts are widely used in the IT and electronics industries, where frequent installation and removal of rack-mounted equipment is required.

Key Differences Between 4-Prong T Nuts and Cage Nuts

Although both 4-prong T nuts and cage nuts provide strong internal threading in materials that cannot be tapped directly, they serve very different purposes. A 4-prong T nut is designed for use in wood, MDF, or plywood. Its four sharp prongs bite into the surface of the material, preventing rotation and ensuring reliable pull-out resistance. This makes it an ideal choice for furniture assembly, woodworking projects, and fixtures that require bolts to be tightened repeatedly into wooden panels.

By contrast, a cage nut is specifically intended for sheet metal or steel applications. Instead of prongs, it uses a spring steel cage to hold a square nut in place inside a pre-punched square hole. This design allows slight movement of the nut, making bolt alignment easier and providing excellent shear strength. Cage nuts are commonly used in server racks, enclosures, and machinery where modularity and frequent installation or replacement are necessary.

In short, 4-prong T nuts are best for wood-based projects that demand high pull-out resistance, while cage nuts are preferred for metal structures where strength, reusability, and flexibility are priorities.

Why They Are Considered Special Fasteners

Unlike standard nuts and bolts used in general machinery and construction, both 4-Prong T Nuts and Cage Nuts are designed for very specific applications:

• 4-Prong T Nuts → for wood-based products such as furniture and wooden panels.
• Cage Nuts → for IT racks, server cabinets, and metal enclosures.

Their unique functions and specialized applications make them part of the special fastener category.

Why Choose Xinchi Fasteners?

As a leading fastener manufacturer in China, Xinchi Fasteners provides not only standard fasteners such as bolts, nuts, screws, and washers, but also a wide range of special fasteners, including 4-Prong T Nuts and Cage Nuts.

• Production Capacity: 102 cold heading machines, daily output of over 10 million pieces.
• Quality Control: 99% GO–NO GO gauge testing, manual inspection every 30 minutes.
• Factory Scale: New facility covering 30,000 m² with two six-floor buildings.
• Customization: OEM and ODM services available, with support for customer drawings.

By choosing Xinchi Fasteners, you can rely on high-quality products, a stable supply, and professional service.

4-Prong T Nuts are specialized for wood applications, offering secure and reusable thread connections in furniture and woodworking.

Cage Nuts are designed for server racks and industrial cabinets, providing flexibility and strong load capacity in metal structures.

While both belong to the fastener family, their unique structures and specialized applications distinguish them as special fasteners. Selecting the right product based on your project needs ensures the best performance.

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.