Was trying to remove one of the bolts that was stripped and ended up taking out the insert with it. Does anyone know what these are called or where I can find them?
Hey Auntjemimma,
yes, they called it PEMS but the correct term is swage nut. Since I never got an answer on which thread size they have, I did not order the “secure from above”, but “secure from below” and put my own swage nuts into it to have “secure from above”.
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The swage nut is Threaded for 10-32. I found them on eBay as well, do you know how to install these inserts into the metal?
Hey Auntjemimma,
with an arbor press or by tightening a screw through the hole. The hole has to be pre-drilled to the appropriate diameter.
Then I am glad that I did not order “secure from above” but “secure from below” to use my own to get “secure from above”, but with ordinary M5 threads! 
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Honestly I think the secure from beneath/below is exactly the same except I get the inserts in mine.
They are 10-32. I made 3D printed brackets to allow me to fasten my from the top QWC from below.
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Probably
I’ve used Dorman Nutserts. These look very similar if not the same. The installation tool is less than $10.00. They come in a variety of sizes, both imperial and metric. Might be worth a look if this would work.
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I don’t believe the Dorman Nutsert is the same as the PEM. They accomplish the same thing but different method of securing them in the metal. When you tighten the Nutsert it compresses the sleeve in the same manner as a Pop-rivet does. Since it is clamped on both sides you can insert the screw from either direction and there is always a flange pulling against the metal which resists pull out.
Not so with the PEMS. The PEMS is just press fitted into a specific size hole drilled in the metal and inserted on the side opposite the pull from the screw. The flange exists on one side only so you can only apply force in one direction.
If Rivnuts (aka Nutserts) had been used they would never pull out.
You do need to ensure that you get the Rivnut firmly clamped to the metal. The biggest drawback to them in my experience is they lose their grip and spin in the hole making them near useless. I wish they had a more aggressive grip on the workpiece with some bigger teeth or maybe a wider flange for more grip surface. But if installed correctly you really got to crank down on them to have them break loose. It also is dependent on the material they are installed in. Soft materials like fiberglass or plastic don’t offer much resistance and very hard metals might not allow the Rivnut to get a good grip.
But as you can see this problem is not limited to Rivnuts as people are having problems with the PEMS inserts used on the QCW.
This shows how a Nutsert is installed and works.
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Bob, thanks for your input. So I understand your reply correctly, are you saying that a Nutsert would be a better repair over the PEM or they’re two different and should continue with PEM’s as replacements? I’m sure as time goes on and wasteboard’s are replaced, PEM failures will happen to many with the QCW frames and a lasting, cost effective repair solution will be sought by many.
Brian Lindell
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