Abe wrote:
How can you assure the T nut will not pull out? They don't seem to be made
to hold well into particle board with just the barbs.

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It works like a screw/nut arrangement. You drill a hole through the
board for the center of the T-nut to go through, then tap it in place
from the back side with a hammer. The screw goes into the center of
the T-nut from the front.

It's a very strong setup.

Uh guys, the top of the desk is veneered. It's too late to hide a T-nut
under there.

To the OP, simply drill small holes for the screws and be sure to apply
a lot of pressure when installing the wood screws. They should hold
quite well. By not drilling first, you tend to eat away at the hole
while trying to install the screw.

--
Tony