Floating Keensert® Style Key-Locking Inserts — Ideal for Off-Center Holes
Posted: July 2, 2025 Filed under: Brand equivalents, Fasteners, Floating Keenserts, floating key-locking inserts, keensert, key-locking inserts, Threaded Bushing, Threaded Fasteners | Tags: Alloy Steel Floating Keenserts, Floating Inserts, Floating Keenserts, Floating Keenserts Distributor, Floating Keenserts Supplier, Floating Key Locking Inserts, Floating Keylocking Inserts, inch keenserts, Inserts, inserts for manufacturers, Keenserts, manufacturing, Stainless Steel Floating Keenserts, threaded bushing, threaded fastener Leave a comment
MF Supply is an expert and a leading supplier of Floating Key-Locking Inserts—commonly known in the industry as Floating Keenserts®, Floating Key Locking Threaded Inserts, Floating Key Locking Inserts, and Floating Keylocking Inserts—for manufacturers, engineers, government and industry.
Shop Floating Keensert® Style Key-Locking Inserts at MF Supply!
In this blog, we will showcase a comprehensive overview of what Floating Keenserts® are, their benefits, where they are used, available styles, sizes, and materials—and when they’re the go-to solution for aerospace, defense, or demanding industrial manufacturing applications.
What Is a Floating Keensert®?
A Floating Keensert® is a specialized fastener engineered to correct and accommodate thread misalignments. The Keensert®, supplied as a one-piece unit, is ideal for use where mating panel holes may be off-center. Unlike the conventional rigid Keensert®, a Floating Keensert® integrates an internal floating nut element that “floats” within the insert’s outer housing. This unique floating feature allows internal threads to self-align during installation, reducing the risk of binding or misfit issues, which can occur with other Keenserts® or conventional threaded inserts.
This insert automatically compensates for misalignment:
- .015” for miniature size 2-56
- Up to .040” for heavy-duty size #10 and larger
In What Series, Sizes and Materials are Floating Keenserts® Available?
Floating Keenserts® are available in Miniature and Heavy Duty series—both in locking and non-locking options. Standard sizes and materials are noted below. Special materials, such as A286 Stainless Steel, may be available as a special order and may involve a lead time or a minimum.
Miniature Floating Keenserts® Series (KNK & KNKL)
- Sizes: Available in inch/imperial sizes ranging from 2-56 through 8-32 inches.
- Material: Crafted from 303 corrosion resistant stainless steel (CRES).
- Finish: Passivated.
- Keys: These inserts are furnished with two locking keys only.
- Tolerances: ±.010 inch unless specified otherwise.
Heavy Duty Floating Keenserts® Series (KNK, KNKD & KNKDL):
- Sizes: Available in inch/imperial sizes ranging from 10-24 through 1/2-20 inches.
- Material: Made from durable 4140 Alloy Steel.
- Finish: Cadmium Plating.
- Keys: These inserts are furnished with four locking keys for internal thread size of 5/16 and larger, and two locking keys for all smaller sizes.
- Tolerances: ±.010 inch unless specified otherwise.
Locking and Non-Locking Features
- Both, Miniature and Heavy Duty Floating Keenserts® feature self-locking options/variants, which are always denoted by an “L” in the series or product codes (e.g., KNKL0256J, KNKL, and KNKDL). These self-locking inserts are also treated with dry-film lubricant, which usually appear darker in finish than non-locking models, simplifying installation and providing amazing thread-locking capabilities.
Check out our Floating Keensert® Style Key-Locking Inserts cross-reference chart to find your ideal insert!
What Are the Benefits and Possible Applications for Floating Keenserts®?
Floating Keenserts® provide significant benefits by automatically compensating for thread misalignment, facilitating easier and more accurate fastener installations, and enhancing reliability in scenarios where standard rigid inserts could lead to thread binding, misalignment, or failure. Typical applications include:
- Curved surfaces where precise alignment is challenging
- Flat head screw/bolt installations
- Assemblies involving multiple hole alignments
- Environments subject to thermal expansion and contraction
Their one-piece assembly design ensures easy installation and optimal thread alignment, minimizing downtime and improving overall project reliability.
MF Supply Is Your Source for Floating Keensert® Style Key-Locking Inserts!
MF Supply is a WBE/WOSB certified business, and a leading supplier of Floating Keensert® Style Key-Locking Inserts for manufacturers, engineers, government and industry. At MF Supply, we understand the dynamic needs of the industry, including the balance of price, quality, availability and certification paperwork, such as DFAR and COC. Most popular sizes are in stock and ready to ship within 24 hours. Ready to see how we can help you?
Do you still have questions or would like to speak with a representative? Reach out to us or send us an RFQ below, and our MF Supply team of sourcing experts will help you find what you’re looking for. “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
- Creatively Solve Problems – We are sourcing experts and specialize in hard to find parts. We offer custom manufacturing and reworking solutions at competitive pricing, reducing long deliveries.
- Functional Equivalents To Expensive Brand Names- We stock and source alternatives to brand name fasteners, reducing long lead times and saving you money.
- 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.
- 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, with an expertise in inserts, military fasteners and stainless steel hardware. 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.