I never use threaded inserts; used them once in poplar. They worked fine for what I needed, but were definitely not driven in squarely to the wood.
So questions...would you guess that was because it was poplar and poplar is super soft? Bad luck? Or is there a method to drive them in properly / squarely? I've seen some folks install the fastener, then chuck it up in the drill press and turn it by hand. This seems like its way overkill, but is that the best way to drive them squarely?
Yes, I do realize how precious I sound asking such a dumb question lol