The 1-Post Hex Nut Retainer w/ Bearing Flat allows shafts to spin smoothly through the square holes in a structural metal component. When mounted, the retainer provides two points of contact within the structural metal. One end of the retainer contains a post which is sized and shaped to securely fit into the square hole of the structural metal. The center hole of the retainer is sized and slotted to securely fit a hex nut, allowing a #8-32 screw to be tightened without the need of a wrench to hold the nut. The hole on the end of the retainer provides a smooth round support for a shafts or a shoulder screw to spin in.
How to assemble the retainer:
- Insert a #8-32 Hex Nut into the center slot of the1-Post Hex Nut Retainer w/ Bearing Flat.
- Align the retainer on the structural metal component such that the end shaft hole is in the desired location and the two other sections are backed by the structural metal component.
- Insert the square post extruding from the retainer into the structural metal’s square hole.
- Attach the retainer to the structural metal by inserting a #8-32 X 3/8" Screw through the square hole in the metal which aligns with the threads of the hex nut.
Spin the screw to the right in order to thread it into the nut. - Depending on the type of head on the screw, tighten the #8-32 screw with either a hex key or a star key.
- Insert the Shaft or a #8-32 Shoulder Screw through the pivot hole. Be sure the shaft is supported by two bearings and securely captured using a collar. A shoulder screw should be secured using a #8-32 Nylock Nut.
Note: The square extrusion on the 1-Post Hex Nut Retainer with Bearing Flat will extend beyond the opposing surface of the structural metal component it is attached to. This will allow another piece of metal or other component to be attached using the #8-32 screw.
See this video to learn more about reducing friction in your builds by using bearings.
Hex Nut Retainers can be purchased at https://www.vexrobotics.com/nut-retainers.html.