Cage Nut!? What the heck is that?
Posted: March 9, 2023 Filed under: Cage Nuts, Domestic Fasteners, Electronic Hardware, Tinnerman, What the heck is a Cage Nut? | Tags: Cage Nuts, tinnerman Leave a commentReposted: March 9, 2023
Author: Robin Lieberman
What the heck is that?
Welcome to our “what the heck is that” series, refreshed for 2023, where we discuss some of the unique fasteners and electronic hardware that manufacturers use in the design and assembly of their products. Today, we will introduce you to a fastener made of two pieces – this little guy is called the Cage Nut.
What the heck is a Cage Nut?
A Cage Nut contains a free floating threaded square Nut retained within a spring steel cage. The spring steel cage has two Mounting legs or wings that, when pressed together, allow the nut to clip into the square hole and lock the fastener in place within the rack hole.
Who uses Cage Nuts?
Cage Nuts are commonly used to mount lighting systems, electrical equipment or instruments onto rail racks. The Cage Nut clips into the rack’s square mounting hole and usually positions the Nut toward the inside of the rack. The Nut is typically loose or “floating” in the Cage to allow for adjustments when installing the screw. This configuration allows flexibility in mounting and assembling components.
AKA – Also known as…..
Cage Nut is a funny little guy and answers to a bunch of different names – some of Cage Nut’s favorite aliases are: Grip Nuts, Retainer Nuts, Rack Nuts or Floating Nuts. Lots of monikers!
Advantages of Cage Nuts
- Snap directly into square rack holes
- Easily installed with no special tools or skills, eliminating the need for special operations
- The Nut floats within the spring-steel cage which offsets normal hole misalignment
- Can be easily popped out and replaced
- Ideal when removal or installation of rack components might cause holes to strip
- Combines flexibility of spring steel cage with the strength of a threaded nut
Lessons learned- Considerations when selecting Cage Nuts
- I always recommend purchasing the corresponding screw to go with the Cage Nuts (i.e. buy the 3/8-16 Cage Nuts together with the 3/8-16 screws). This prevents you from selecting the wrong size Cage Nut. To be 100% sure, you should do a quick test to make sure the screws and Cage Nuts fit together before beginning the installation process.
- When it comes to installation, Cage Nuts can be tough on your fingers when trying to install or uninstall them with your bare hands. Consider using a Cage Nut Tool.
- Sizing is based on 3 components: The screw thread, panel thickness and mounting hole. Double check your measurements before you make your purchase.
Cage Nuts in Stock at MF Supply
Here at MF Supply, we stock some of the most common Cage Nuts, including:
- From imperial size 6-32 up to ½-13
- Metric M5 and M6
- Stainless Steel
- Steel zinc plated
- Tinnerman alternatives
Other sizes, materials and platings are available upon request.
Visit our MF Supply website for more detailed information on Cage Nuts. And if you don’t see it listed, as always, ask us. Finding the right screw for you is our tag line after all!
Book a one-on-one consultation with our President, Robin, to discuss how MF Supply can help you solve your Industrial Sourcing, Fastener, and Safety concerns.
Six Reasons To Buy From MF Supply
- Full eCommerce Enabled Website With Technical Manual Available 24/7 – Visit our website and Create a New Account, track online orders, browse our product catalog, check technical specs, subscribe to our blog, or buy online. We are adding items and improving functionality daily!
- Same Day Shipping From The USA – Our hardware products are in stock and ship to you directly from our USA based distribution centers.
- Functional Equivalents To Expensive Brand Names- We stock and source alternatives to brand name fasteners, reducing long lead times and saving you money.
- Creatively Solve Problems – We are sourcing experts, offer competitive pricing and specialize in finding hard to find parts and reducing long deliveries.
- One-Stop Shopping On Certified Hardware – We stock and source a full line of fasteners including Mil-Spec, DFARS compliant and other industrial products.
- WBE/WOSB Woman Owned Certified Small Business – To meet your diversity & set-aside needs.
MF Supply is a WBE/WOSB certified supply chain partner to business, industry and government. We are sourcing experts and stocking distributors of Hardware, Precision & Mil-Spec Fasteners and Safety supplies. For more than 50 years, we have been supplying manufacturers in the electronics, industrial, commercial, aerospace and military markets with the full range of fastener products and services. Our Cage Code is 58QG4 and our registered name is RL Supply Inc dba MF Supply.
MS16555 Dowel Pins in Stock!
Posted: March 2, 2023 Filed under: Domestic Fasteners, dowel pin | Tags: dowel pins, Fasteners, MS16555 Leave a commentAt MF Supply, we have a large selection of Precision Dowel Pins and Mil-Spec Hardware. The product we want to highlight today is the MS16555 Dowel Pin.
What is the Mil-Spec Dowel Pin MS16555?
The MS16555 is a stainless steel, cylindrical, solid, and headless fastener. The MS16555 is classified as a Mil-spec fastener, made to a specific exacting standard that defines in detail, the screw’s attributes, including: dimensions, tensile strength, hardness, threads, drive type, material qualities and plating, just to name a few. Mil-spec is the informal name for the military standard the U.S. Department of Defense uses in the production of military equipment. Mil-spec fasteners are usually designated by an AN, MS, NAS or NASM prefix followed by a part number. Each of these prefixes is an abbreviation: NAS stands for National Aerospace Standard and MS stands for Military Standard.
Dowel Pin Uses
Dowel pins are broadly used in various applications, including aerospace, electrical motors, hydraulic equipment, instrumentation, and more.
They’re used as a hinge, shaft, or pivot, and are used to locate or hold parts together within a precision assembly or a fixture, often when things are moving within that assembly.
MS16555 Dowel Pin Options
The MS16555 series is classified as a press fit style dowel pin with a diameter tolerance -0/+ .0002 over nominal size. These Mil-spec dowel pins are DFAR & RoHS compliant & may be requested with manufacturers COC & Full material certifications.
Materials:
- 416 or 400 series hardened stainless steel
- Plain alloy steel
- Phosphate finished alloy steel
MS16555-1 through MS16555-145 are Alloy Steel plain finish
MS16555-301 through MS16555-444 are Alloy Steel phosphate finish
MS16555-601 through MS16555-744 are 410 or 416 CRES Stainless Steel hardened with passivation.
Sizes:
Diameters range from 1/16 (.0626-.0628) through 1 inch (1.0003-1.0001). Lengths range from 3/16 to 6 inched long. For price and availability, send us an RFQ directly from our product pages.
Why Choose MF Supply for MS16555 Dowel Pins?
- The MS16555 Dowel Pin is our most popular military spec dowel pin
- They are made in the USA and are DFAR compliant.
- Certification paperwork is available.
- We have extensive stock, in NJ and at our distribution centers, which means no delay in delivery.
Learn More About MF Supply and our Products
We are excited for you to know that some products lines including CRES series MS16555 are available for purchase on-line. Additional dowel pin & mil-spec resources include:
Buyer’s Guide to Mil-spec fasteners
We stock a huge selection of Mil-spec fasteners in both Alloy & Stainless Steel with full DFAR & RoHS paperwork. Factory drop ship available for thousands of parts!
If you are interested in learning more about these dowel pins or any of our other fasteners or PPE, contact us today!
Book a one-on-one consultation with our President, Robin, to discuss how MF Supply can help you solve your Industrial Sourcing, Fastener, and Safety concerns.
Six Reasons To Buy From MF Supply
- Full eCommerce Enabled Website With Technical Manual Available 24/7 – Visit our website and Create a New Account, track online orders, browse our product catalog, check technical specs, subscribe to our blog, or buy online. We are adding items and improving functionality daily!
- Same Day Shipping From The USA – Our hardware products are in stock and ship to you directly from our USA based distribution centers.
- Functional Equivalents To Expensive Brand Names- We stock and source alternatives to brand name fasteners, reducing long lead times and saving you money.
- Creatively Solve Problems – We are sourcing experts, offer competitive pricing and specialize in finding hard to find parts and reducing long deliveries.
- One-Stop Shopping On Certified Hardware – We stock and source a full line of fasteners including Mil-Spec, DFARS compliant and other industrial products.
- WBE/WOSB Woman Owned Certified Small Business – To meet your diversity & set-aside needs.
MF Supply is a WBE/WOSB certified supply chain partner to business, industry and government. We are sourcing experts and stocking distributors of Hardware, Precision & Mil-Spec Fasteners and Safety supplies. For more than 50 years, we have been supplying manufacturers in the electronics, industrial, commercial, aerospace and military markets with the full range of fastener products and services. Our Cage Code is 58QG4 and our registered name is RL Supply Inc dba MF Supply.
MF Supply Launches New Product Filter! (Refreshed for 2023)
Posted: February 7, 2023 Filed under: Domestic Fasteners, Electronic Hardware, Filter Tool, Search Tool, Supply chain - manufacturing, Women in Manufacturing | Tags: Hardware, Keenserts, manufacturing, supply chain Leave a commentWe are excited to announce our new product search and filter feature on our website!
Our new product filter lets you refine product searches by multiple attributes, including size, material, category and more. This makes it easier to navigate and search for products the way you want to. Hence, you can find the parts you need faster and more efficiently.
Simply search by your keyword…
Product Filters will appear on the left panel of our website in the following cases:
1) From the Search Navigation Bar at the top left of our home page, key in the product type, description or attributes you are seeking. i.e. inserts, then the filter appears.
And filter through your specific needs…
2) From the pages that list products available for purchase or RFQ, i.e., where the filter automatically appears.
Once the filter appears, search refinement is available based on multiple attributes including:
- Product Type & Subtype
- Size – Diameter x thread
- Length
- Head styles and drives
- Inch or Metric
- Outer Diameter x Thread
- Material
- Finish
- Standard, including OEM brand name
- More!
As always if you can’t find your specific part or product, feel free to send us a Request For Quote and our team of sourcing experts will follow up for you!
Six Reasons To Buy From MF Supply
- Full eCommerce Enabled Website With Technical Manual Available 24/7 – Visit our website and Create a New Account, track online orders, browse our product catalog, check technical specs, subscribe to our blog, or buy online. We are adding items and improving functionality daily!
- Same Day Shipping From The USA – Our hardware products are in stock and ship to you directly from our USA based distribution centers.
- Functional Equivalents To Expensive Brand Names- We stock and source alternatives to brand name fasteners, reducing long lead times and saving you money.
- Creatively Solve Problems – We are sourcing experts, offer competitive pricing and specialize in finding hard to find parts and reducing long deliveries.
- One-Stop Shopping On Certified Hardware – We stock and source a full line of fasteners including Mil-Spec, DFARS compliant and other industrial products.
- WBE/WOSB Woman Owned Certified Small Business – To meet your diversity & set-aside needs.
To learn more about our products, visit our blog, or email us at sales@mfsupply.com
Book a one-on-one consultation with our President, Robin, to discuss how MF Supply can help you solve your Industrial Sourcing, Fastener, and Safety concerns.
MF Supply is a WBE/WOSB certified supply chain partner to business, industry and government. We are sourcing experts and stocking distributors of Hardware, Precision & Mil-Spec Fasteners and Safety supplies. For more than 50 years, we have been supplying manufacturers in the electronics, industrial, commercial, aerospace and military markets with the full range of fastener products and services. Our Cage Code is 58QG4 and our registered name is RL Supply Inc dba MF Supply.
Read More: https://conta.cc/3Ae2RgN
MF Supply Launches New Product Filter!
Posted: November 16, 2022 Filed under: Domestic Fasteners, Electronic Hardware, Filter Tool, Search Tool, Supply chain - manufacturing, Women in Manufacturing | Tags: Hardware, Keenserts, manufacturing, supply chain Leave a commentWe are excited to announce our new search and filter feature in our website! Find the parts you need faster and more efficiently.
Read More: https://conta.cc/3Ae2RgN
Custom Made & Reworked Fasteners
Posted: August 13, 2021 Filed under: Custom Fasteners per print, Domestic Fasteners | Tags: Hardware, Keenserts, manufacturing, supply chain Leave a commentWhen off-the-shelf fasteners are not the right fit for an application, engineers and designers may require Custom Made fasteners. This may be for a prototype, a replacement of an existing part, or for a large-scale production run. Learn more about what they are and how to get an accurate quote below.
Custom Made & Reworked Fasteners at MF Supply https://conta.cc/3AiegcZ
Buyer’s Guide to Self-Clinching Fasteners 2019
Posted: December 5, 2019 Filed under: Brand equivalents, Captivated fasteners, Captive Self-Clinching, DFARS, Domestic Fasteners, PEM Self-Clinching | Tags: Captive, PEM, Self-Clinching 1 CommentMF Supply continues to expand our offering of products available for purchase online. We are thrilled to offer Self-clinching fasteners available from stock that can be purchased on our website or by email, phone or fax. We are an authorized distributor for Captive Fasteners, a US based manufacturer since 1974, with a factory right here in our NJ backyard!
What are Self-clinching fasteners?
Self-clinching fasteners are generally classified as part of the electronic hardware or precision engineered fastener family and are not governed by IFI, ANSI or ASME standards. A self-clinching fastener, also known as press-fit or clinch style captive fastener, is a part that when pressed into a drilled, punched or machined hole, provides an economical method of joining sheet metal panel applications and is well-suited for use in printed circuit boards.
Self-clinching fasteners are used in many industries; both commercial and aerospace.
Self-clinching Fasteners available at MF Supply
MF Supply offers the full catalog of Captive branded fasteners & PEM® equivalents in inch & metric sizes. We have the following parts available for purchase online, in stock and ready to ship from our national distribution centers:
- Self-Clinching Standoffs: Alt to PEM® Type BSO, BSOS,SO Captive CFBSOS, CFSO
- Self-Clinching Studs: Alt to PEM® Type FH, FHS, KFH Captive CH, CHS, CKFH
- Self-Clinching Nuts: Alt to PEM® Type S, CLS Captive Series C, CS in Inch & Metric
Additional Series available include, but are not limited to, floating, self-locking, blind-hole, flush, and broaching fasteners.
How do they work?
Self-clinching fasteners work by displacing the host material around the mounting hole, causing it to cold flow into a specially designed annular recess. Knurls, serrated rings or ribs on the fastener hold them firmly in place. Self-clinching fasteners become an integral permanent part of the panel or frame and eliminate problems associated with loose hardware. Installation requires access to both sides of the panel and self-clinching fasteners may be installed using any parallel acting squeezing force.
What are the advantages of Self-Clinching fasteners?
Self-clinching fasteners provide strong thread in very thin material & offer high push out and torque out resistance. They take less space and require fewer assembly operations than caged or anchor nuts. They can be installed during fabrication or during final assembly and work well in applications when loose hardware wouldn’t be accessible.
Some of the key advantages include:
- No special hole preparation, such as chamfering and deburring is required.
- Low installed costs, fewer parts to handle, fewer assembly steps and less assembly time.
- No retapping necessary after application.
Reverse side of metal sheet remains flush – no swaged rim protrusion.
What are the differences between branded fasteners like PEM & Captive and generic Self-clinching fasteners?
Self-clinching hardware is frequently referred to by the OEM brand name PEM®. Captive Fastener is a USA based manufacturer and offers functional equivalents to PEM® branded self-clinching fasteners. In addition to PEM® & Captive, there are a variety of manufacturers of self-clinching fasteners available in the marketplace including the major national catalog brands. Functional alternatives will be equivalent in form fit and function and offer similar performance.
To see if using alternative brands or functional equivalents will work for your business, refer to our handy guide.
We have also included a cross reference lookup table for PEM® product types vs. Captive product series below.
What information for I need for ordering?
The easiest way to order is by manufacturer part number. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to specify fastener type & style, thread diameter & pitch, fastener length, material and plating. For example: a 10-32 X 3/8 Flush Head Self-Clinching Stud Steel Zinc plated can also be ordered as a PEM® FH-032-6, (or a PEM® FH-032-6-ZI as sometimes PEM® calls out the plating) or a Captive CH1032-6. This part is also offered by a national catalog brand under part number 93580A166.
Additional Series available include, but are not limited to, floating, self-locking, blind-hole, flush, and broaching fasteners.
We Invite You To Request a Quote, Download a Guide or a Line Card Today!
- Full ecommerce enabled website with technical manual available 24/7
- Same day drop ship from factory for thousands of items.
- Functional Equivalents to expensive brand name fasteners save money and reduce long lead times.
- Creatively solve problems including hard to find parts and long lead times
- WBE/WOSB Woman Owned Certified Small Business.
What the heck is Mil-spec DFARS? 2019
Posted: July 29, 2019 Filed under: DFARS, Dodd-Frank, Domestic Fasteners, Mil-Spec, Uncategorized | Tags: DFAR, Dodd-Frank, What the heck is Mi-Spec DFARS? Leave a comment
MS24693C
Welcome to our ongoing “What the heck is that” series, where we discuss some of the unique fasteners and electronic hardware that precision manufacturers use in the design and assembly of their products. If you sell to the military either directly or indirectly, then you are probably aware of today’s topic: “DFARS” and “Mil-spec fasteners”.
What does Mil-spec mean anyway?
Before we get into the nitty gritty of DFARS, let’s discuss what makes a “Mil-spec” fastener. Mil-spec is the informal name for the military standard the U.S. Department of Defense uses in the production of military equipment. Mil-spec fasteners are usually designated by an AN, MS, NAS or NASM prefix followed by a part number. Each of these prefixes is an abbreviation: NAS stands for National Aerospace Standard and MS stands for Military Standard. For example, the MS24693C pictured above is a fastener produced according to military standards.
Mil-spec fasteners look a lot like their civilian cousins, but, these little guys are made to a specific standard that defines in detail, the screw’s attributes, including: dimensions, tensile strength, hardness, threads, drive type, material qualities and plating, just to name a few. Mil-spec fasteners are even traceable by lot to designated manufacturers. The government maintains a list of factories and suppliers who are qualified to manufacture and distribute Mil-spec fasteners. These suppliers have met all the government’s requirements and pass the highest quality control standards. This designation is called the Qualified Suppliers List for Manufacturer’s [QSLM].
Who uses Mil-spec Fasteners?
Mil-spec fasteners are used by anyone manufacturing or servicing military equipment. Often, the bill of materials calls for specific Mil-spec grade fasteners in accordance with a part number, drawing or procurement requirement. Some of the most common uses of Mil-spec fasteners include aerospace and naval vessels.
Now, tell me about DFARS…
Almost a decade ago, the term “DFARS Compliant Material” came to the forefront for companies supplying parts and services to the government. The original Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 252.225-7014 specified “A Preference for Domestic Specialty Metals.” What that means in our world is that for fasteners to be DFARS compliant, the metal used to fabricate them must be melted or manufactured in the United States or a qualifying country.
The Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement declares the following:
- Provides specific acquisition regulations that must be followed in the procurement process for goods and services for the Department of Defense and its contactors.
- FAR 252.225-7014 specifies “A Preference for Domestic Specialty Metals” in the manufacturing of fasteners. Berry Act, Buy American.
- The Specialty metals must be melted and manufactured in the United States or a “Qualifying country.”
What is a Qualifying Country?
Qualifying country” means a country with a reciprocal defense procurement memorandum of understanding or international agreement with the United States in which both countries agree to remove barriers to purchases of supplies produced in the other country or services performed by sources of the other country, and the memorandum or agreement complies, where applicable, with the requirements of section 36 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2776) and with 10 U.S.C. 2457.
Qualifying countries include the following 27: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
To keep up to date with DFARs requirements, visit
www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/dfars/html/current/225_0.htm
What is a Specialty Metal?
Title 48 – Federal Acquisition Regulations System, 252.225-7014 Preference for domestic specialty metals.
SPECIALTY METAL DEFINITION
(1) STEEL
(I) WHERE THE MAXIMUM ALLOY CONTENT EXCEEDS ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING LIMITS: MANGANESE, 1.65 PERCENT; SILICON, 0.60 PERCENT; OR COPPER, 0.60 PERCENT; OR
(II) WHICH CONTAINS MORE THAN 0.25 PERCENT OF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS: ALUMINUM, CHROMIUM, COBALT, COLUMBIUM, MOLYBDENUM, NICKEL, TITANIUM, TUNGSTEN, OR VANADIUM;
(2) METAL ALLOYS CONSISTING OF NICKEL, IRON-NICKEL, AND COBALT BASE ALLOYS CONTAINING A TOTAL OF OTHER ALLOYING METALS (EXCEPT IRON) IN EXCESS OF TEN PERCENT;
(3) TITANIUM AND TITANIUM ALLOYS; OR
(4) ZIRCONIUM AND ZIRCONIUM BASE ALLOYS.
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-1996-title48-vol3/xml/CFR-1996-title48-vol3-sec252-225-7014.xml
Specialty Metals Include:
- Stainless steel
- High alloy steel like Grade-BD
- Cobalt Chrome Alloys or Grade 5 Chromium steel with high chromium content
- Nickel Alloys
- Titanium
Aluminum, Carbon Steel & Copper Alloys are not specialty metals and cannot be DFARS.
What is the difference between Domestic & DFARS?
This is a great question! There are 3 main factors used to determine the country where a fastener is made and how they are classified. 1) The origin of the metal 2) the country of melt and 3) the country of manufacture.
DFARs only related to specialty metals, and the country of melt & manufacture. Check with your customer before making any assumptions about what “domestic” means to them. 100% Domestic (metal origin, melt & manufacture) is becoming harder and harder to find. Many products are not available off the shelf and are “made to order” if DFARS or domestic is needed. This will involve a lead time and may have a minimum lot charge.
Lessons Learned: Considerations when purchasing MS24693C or other Mil-spec DFARs fasteners
- Always ask for “full certifications”. This includes part name, part description, date of manufacture, lot number, chemical composition of material, and treatment of material including plating or passivation.
- At point of purchase, make sure the screws are DFARS. If you do not specifically ask for DFARS-compliant screws, you might receive screws that don’t meet the DFARS requirements, in which case, they won’t meet military standards. We’ve learned this the hard way so hopefully you don’t have to!