E-Z LOK 400-4-CR Threaded Inserts for Wood, Installation Kit, Stainless Steel, Includes 1/4-20 Knife Thread Inserts (6), Drill, Installation Tool

I was using these for river table legs, to insert into VERY hard hickory wood. The 25/64 bit was VERY snug. Had to open it up to 13/32nds in some spots. What I found worked best was a stainless steel 1/2" inch bolt to put them into the wood. Save the special proprietary tool for when you mess up and need to pull one out. The brass inserts are very prone to chipping with too much torque on the EZ Lok insertion tool, but the 1/2" 1/4" 20 bolt worked well to insert. I would buy again now that I know how to use.

I needed to replace ths failed zinc threaded inserts in hardwood chair. Brass is not recommended but these stainless steel ones are very good. Unfortunately, even with insert tool if they start to misalign when you thread them in, most screw drivers do not fit the slots to un-thread insert. Luckily I was able to use another tool to remove and start again. One insert was slightly tilted, but to my surprise still held tight and finished the job. If you use these to repair a hole like I did, do not use dowels to repair holes first! End grain of dowel is not strong. Use plug cutter to get with grain plug for stronger connection. Titebond glue was strong enough, epoxy was not needed.

Used in black walnut. The notches for the installation bit stripped on several of the inserts I was trying to install. Had to run an 8-32 screw with a nut run down against the insert so I could spin the nut to get my torque to thread it in. Also my installation bit looks like the nubs are rounding out after 20 inserts into black walnut. I love the concept, just wish they were more durable.

Worked great to fix stripped out hinge screws in wood on my boat. I had no trouble with the included installation tool. I drilled the pilot holes using the included bit and made sure the hole was at least as deep as the insert is long, and the inserts went in very easily. I’d guess that people who broke the installation tool didn’t drill their pilot holes deep enough.I just wish they weren’t so expensive, and that you could buy more inserts separately and save money.

The kit is not worth the money. The installation tool broke the first time I used it and almost got permanently lodged into the threaded insert. Additionally the 25/64 drill bit is not big enough for hard wood (bamboo in my case). I assume 25/64 would be fine for softer woods.Instead just go buy a stainless steel machine screw ($2 for 4 — avoid using nickel or brass) and use that to insert the threaded inserts into the wood. For hardwood use a 27/64 drill bit.The stainless steel threaded inserts are VERY GOOD, so just go buy the 10 pack for half the price.

This is a slick system. The drill bit seems too large for the inserts if you look at them overlapping, but it is just the right size, especially in hard wood, like Oak. If you use it in a soft wood, be sure to drill the pilot hole deep enough, or you will likely strip the wood threads created on entry trying to tighten it after it contacts the bottom of the hole. Also, I used a T-bar style hand driver to drive the inserts into the hole. The custom driver bit they provide is notched to fit small slots on one side of the insert, and this fit easily into my chucked hand driver. It works really well. Hand driving them gives you the control needed to get them started perpendicularly into the hole and then on until tight just below the surface of the piece. Very satisfying result.Of course, you may need to drill an additional distance into the piece with a 1/4 inch bit PRIOR to driving in the inserts in order to accommodate the length of the 1/4 inch bolt you will be using.

I purchased this item to proactively mitigate any problems I might face attaching height-adjustable legs to an incredibly heavy solid wood desk top.I read reports of individuals having challenges using these kits with hardwood but my experience was great. The drill bit worked just as expected and the threaded inserts installed without any problems. I had both sides drilled and inserts installed in less than 10 mins.I would purchase this kit again.

The inserts are great, and the insert driving tool is indispensable - even if you only have a few inserts to do, it’s worth getting the insert tool.But the drill bit - 25/32, pretty specific size, and unlikely to be in most woodworkers wood bit selection - had so much runout it was unusable. I tested it in two high-quality hand drills and a drill press, and it was consistently at least 1/16” out of true at the tip. (I tested the chucks with a center point punch of the same size just to be sure that all my chucks hadn’t suddenly developed crazy runout.)I’m hoping this bit was damaged or otherwise a fluke, and I’m returning the kit for a replacement, since sourcing a bit at that size wouldn’t be easy or cheap. If the replacement is true as hoped, I’ll update my rating.

Used on a wooden deck to secure a canopy.Easy to use but you must be careful to get the insert straight.

The insert driver works very well.VRB