John, the ones we use are the aluminum ones; you can also get them in steel ( http://www.rivetsinstock.com/rivet59.htm). And, yep, I've had to file some down to round 'em out, too. No biggie. But the ones on my hatch, for some reason, didn't need any filing down. Go figure.

These are the aluminum ones. Very soft, easily filed, and when put into anything but FWFG make not a peep. The cracking sound I referred to is real--i've only been using them for 6 months or so, so dont have that much experience with the tool. So would still recommend overdrilling the nutsert bore by 1/64 in FWFG. With a hand drill, no need cuz of its built in slop, but using a vise and drill press, something to consider.
John S

No argument. 🙂 With the ones I used on my aft end to hold the Aero Pack 98mm retainer, I did brush epoxy around them very lightly. Hey, I'm paranoid, gimme a break! 😀

Now I know mine isnt FWFG as its Convolute wound glass tube but I used these for my screw points for the upper airframe and lower airframe to screw to the altimeter bay. Didnt have to file them one bit. They slid in pretty nicley and for the #8-32 inserts I used a 1/4 inch bit. If you want to see pics I have them posted at my L3 thread at TRF.

Mine is G10 spiral wound fiberglass. I bought mine from the same source as Conway, so I honestly don't know about the other FB type, filament wound? Wait, I know... I have rocket that's filament wound, sometimes you drill into it and end up with a fiberglass filament hanging out?
At least I did on one hole... 🙄

The differences

Convolute wound glass is made from actual woven fiberglass cloth like you would laminate with and its made with a higher temp epoxy normally. For all purposes of OUR use the Convolute is a much stronger ans superior prodct then FWFG

FGFG- also known in full name as Filiment Would Fiberglass. is done by taking actual strands or indvidual strings of fiberglass and wound around a mandrel in a back and forth motion and also has the same temp of expoxy used. This is a great product and I as well as several others (brings back the 100K in a day event) have pushed this product pretty hard. Its weak point is getting spiral fractures which is actually a kink in the tube. Normally once the fracture starts it wont stop and it weakens the product.

But both great materials and I swear by and use both lots..

So John, any chance I can borrow the nutsert device sometime between now and oktoberfest? Sounds like a great way to attach the E-bay, and I want to try it.