Check out MF Supply’s 2023 Standoff & Spacer Cross Reference Tables! 

Standoffs & Spacers Equivalent Cross Reference: Find OEM brands & Functional Equivalents

Using functional equivalents, including Mil-Spec, generics and other OEM brands’ versions of Electronic Hardware like Standoffs and Spacers, is a practice many manufacturer’s use to save money and shorten lead times. 

Checkout our four most popular Standoff & Spacer cross reference charts to see if there is a Functional Equivalent to your  OEM fastener brand, and start saving money and reducing lead times immediately. 

Hex Spacers

Hex shaped Spacers. Available in Aluminum, Brass, Nylon, and Stainless Steel materials.

Round Spacers

Round shaped Spacers. Available in Aluminum, Brass, Nylon, and Stainless Steel materials.

Hex Standoffs

Hex shaped Female and Male-Female Standoffs. Available in Aluminum, Brass, Nylon, and Stainless Steel materials.

Round Standoffs

Round shaped Female and Male-Female Standoffs. Available in Aluminum, Brass, Nylon, and Stainless Steel materials.

MF Supply is a leading supplier of Standoffs and Spacers, including major brands and equivalents to Amatom, Captive, Concord, Globe, HH Smith, Grainger, Keystone, Lyn-tron, McMaster-Carr, MSC, Microplastics, PEM, RAF, Unicorp and more in imperial, metric and mil-spec sizes and materials.  

We stock a huge inventory including Inch & Metric Sizes, Round and Hex styles, Female & Male-Female options and a variety of sizes, materials and platings.  We stock commercial imported and domestically made and DFAR compliant with COC and full certifications available upon request. 

Standoffs and Spacers sometimes show up under their Mil-spec numbers, which can be crossed to commercial equivalents. Some common Mil-spec series include NAS42, NAS43, NAS61, NAS1056, NAS1057, NAS1829, NAS1830, NAS1831. 

If you cant find the part number you need feel free to request a quote and our sourcing experts can help you out! 


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 Work With Us

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. 

Read More https://conta.cc/3r0B1Q3

Over 1,700 Standoffs and Spacers in stock!

Are you looking for Standoffs or Spacers? Look no further than MF Supply!

MF Supply is a trusted supplier of Standoffs and Spacers for Manufacturers and Industry. We now offer a wide selection of over 1,700 Standoffs and Spacers in stock & available for purchase on our website. You’ll find in stock Inch & Metric, Round & Hex, and in a variety of sizes and materials—such as Aluminum, Brass, Nylon, Steel and Stainless Steel. We offer Brand Names and/or Equivalents to National Catalog and OEM brands including: Amatom, Captive, HH Smith, Grainer, Keystone, Lyn-tron, McMaster-Carr, MSC, Microplastics, RAF, Unicorp.

Common Uses of Standoffs and Spacers at MF Supply

Below is a brief explanation of what Standoffs and Spacers are used for.

  • Spacers: Spacers are commonly used in equipment or machines that need to maintain a specific distance between components, to prevent over-tightening or to distribute loads.
  • Standoffs: Standoffs, like spacers, are also used to create a gap or distance between two surfaces, but are also used to mount or fasten electronic components such as circuit boards.

In-Stock Standoffs and Spacers at MF Supply

At MF Supply’s website, we currently offer over 1,700 Standoffs and Spacers in round or hexagon shapes. They also come in many sizes, and materials, which include Aluminum, Brass with Nickel plated finish, Nylon, Steel and Stainless Steel. Below is a list of the Standoffs and Spacers currently available on our website.

Hexagon Spacers

Round Spacers

Hexagon Female Threaded Standoffs

Hexagon Male-Female Threaded Standoffs

Metric Hexagon Male-Female Threaded Standoffs

Round Female Threaded Standoffs

Round Male-Female Threaded Standoffs

Self-Clinching Standoffs

Make ordering the Standoffs and Spacers you require a breeze by visiting our website today, or reach out to us to request a quote.

What the heck are Standoffs and Spacers anyway?

Would you like to learn more about Standoffs & Spacers? Don’t sweat it! Read our recent blog post “Standoffs and Spacers!? What the heck are those?“, from our “What the Heck is that” series to learn more about this Category of Electronic Hardware.

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

If the OEM brand, size, material or plating you need is not listed above or on our website, or you need a Mil-Spec, DFARs or domestically manufactured part, Request a Quote today, and our MF Supply team of sourcing experts can help find what you need. “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.


MF Supply Work With Us

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. 


Buyer’s Guide to Set Screws Updated for 2023

8 Things to Know When Buying Set Screws

Our goal is to help simplify the buying process for this sometimes-complex category of fasteners by detailing the most critical things you must know when buying Set Screws.

1. What is a Set Screw?

A Set Screw is a fully threaded headless screw that is traditionally classified within the socket family of products. It is generally used to fasten an object within or against another object by exerting pressure rather than holding parts together with threads. It is normally used without a nut.

2. Who uses Set Screws?

Set Screws are used in many industrial and mechanical devices, particularly in assemblies with rotating items such as pulleys or wheels, where a component is locked onto a shaft. Designed to fasten one object inside another, Set Screws pass right through a threaded hole in the outer object and are tightened against the inner object. Pretty cool, right?

3. What materials and platings are available?

The most common Set Screw material options are alloy steel and stainless steel. Brass is a less popular and less available option.

The most commonly available material is hardened alloy steel with a thermal black oxide finish, as per ASME B18.3 and a Rockwell hardness of C45-53.

Stainless steel grades 18-8/303 and Metric A2 are also commonly available. Other exotic materials such as brass, 316 or A4 stainless steel, 4140 steel, 416, A286 or special finishes including zinc plating may be available for special order with a lead time.

Socket Set Screws come standard with 3A thread fit. Some sizes and materials may be available with nylon patches or pellets.

Set screws with a slotted drive are made with a 2A thread fit.

4. What sizes are available?

In our experience, Set Screws are most commonly available in sizes 2-56 through 1″ diameter in imperial and M2-M24 in metric diameters with a hex socket drive on one end and a cup point on the other.

5. What information should I provide to get an accurate quote?

The easiest way to order is by part number. The most popular manufacturers of Set Screws are Holo-Krome, Blue Devil and Misumi, along with the national catalog houses like McMaster-Carr, Grainger and MSC Industrial.

If you don’t have a part number, you’ll need to provide the diameter and thread, the body length, drive and tip type, material and plating.

6. Other than size, material and plating, what other options are available?

The other main considerations when selecting Set Screws are the drive and the point.  We offer a comprehensive look at your options below.

Drives: The most common and readily available drive style is a hexagonal socket drive (think Allen wrench), however, Set Screws may also be available in slotted, six-lobe (Torx) and spline drives for certain sizes.

Points: This is where it gets interesting. The point of the Set Screw determines its function. Seven (yes, seven!) main points are available, each serving a slightly different purpose.

  • Cup The most common style, which is slightly cupped to meet the surface of the inner object. Used for permanent or semi-permanent installations, the Cup point provides a high level of security and control. (Metric DIN 916)
  • Knurled Cup – A variation of the Cup point, this style has knurls for a stronger grip.
  • Cone A very sharp point wedges into the inner object to hold it permanently in place. With the highest holding power of all Set Screw styles, the Cone point is used for permanent settings. Note: Cone point Set Screws may cause damage to the inner object which might not be desirable in some applications. (DIN 914)
  • Flat Designed for flexibility when frequently resetting or relocating objects on hard steel shafts where minimal damage to the shaft is desired. Affordable and easy to install, Flat point Set Screws can be moved without damaging the inner object. (DIN 913)
  • Oval The Oval point is the inverse of the Cup point. The small rounded contact surface allows slight adjustments without loosening the screw and causes minimal surface damage to the inner object. The Oval point Set Screw is the most practical type for situations where the inner and outer objects require regular adjustments.
  • Half-Dog Sometimes offered as a Full-Dog point, its protruding tip locks within a mating hole or slot in the shaft, for permanent setting. Half-dog/Dog points are sometimes used instead of a dowel pin. (DIN 915)
  • Nylon tip – Resembling a Half-Dog point, the soft nylon tip is used to grip curved or textured surfaces.

7. What other factors should I consider?

We’ve covered the most common variables including head style, diameter and thread, length, material and plating or finish. Does your project specify Inch (Imported or Domestic), Metric, OEM brand or Mil-Spec? Here are a few of the other considerations you might be faced with based on the project and the bill of materials:

We’ve covered the most common variables including head style, diameter and thread, length, material and plating or finish. Here are a few of the other considerations you might be faced with based on the project and the bill of materials:

Do you need domestic parts (i.e. Holo-Krome) or will imported screws work?

Do you require parts that conform to a specific mil-spec number, such as AN565, NAS1081, MS18063, MS18064, MS18065, MS18066, MS18067, MS18068, MS21342, MS51017, MS51021, MS51022, MS51023, MS51025, MS51026, MS51029, MS51031, MS51033,MS51038, MS51040, MS51045, MS51047, MS51053, MS51476, MS51477, MS51963, MS51964, MS51965, MS51966, MS51973,MS51974, MS51976, MS51977, MS51981, MS51982 with their exacting tolerances and traceability, or will standard commercial parts work?

Does your bill of materials call out a specific manufacturer, such as Holo-Krome or Blue Devil?

Make sure you have the correct installation hardware (Allen wrench or hex key) to go along with your Set Screws.

8. What level of certification is required?

Generally, a Certificate of Conformance or a COC is sufficient for your customer. Full certification with material certs, DFARS certification and test reports are often available for USA-made and mil-spec parts for a fee.

Here at MF Supply, we offer:

  • The full range of commercial and Mil-spec parts, including parts that are DFARS and ROHS compliant.
  • Brand names (Holo-Krome, Blue Devil) and generic equivalents.
  • Custom-made parts per print in non-standard and exotic materials and finishes.

For more detailed information about Set Screws, to request a line card, or to send an RFQ, visit our website. And if you don’t see what you need 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.


MF Supply Work With Us

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. 


Check out MF Supply’s 2023 Keensert® Cross Reference Tables!

Keensert® Equivalent Cross Reference: Find OEM brands, Mil-spec & Functional Equivalents

Although the name Keensert® is often used to describe what is generically called a Key-locking insert (like Band-Aid® or Kleenex®), Keensert® is the registered trademark of Huck Patents (its close cousin, the Keysert® is a registered trademark of Alcoa Fastening Systems). Using functional equivalents, including Mil-Spec, generics and other OEM brands’ versions of key-locking inserts, is a practice many manufacturer’s use to save money and shorten lead times.

Checkout our three most popular Keylocking Insert cross reference charts to see if there is a Functional Equivalent to your Keensert® OEM brand, and start saving money and reducing lead times immediately.

Inch & Mil-Spec Keensert®

 

Miniature, Thinwall & Lightweight, Heavy Duty, Extra Heavy Duty, Keylocking Inserts in Stainless Steel, A286, 4140 Alloy. Includes MS51830, MS51831, MS51832, KN, KNC, KNL & KNCL Series.

Metric Keensert®

4140 Alloy, A286, & Mill-Spec

Miniature, Thinwall & Lightweight, Heavy Duty, Keylocking Inserts in A286 & 4140 Alloy. Includes NA0146, NA0147, NA0148, NA0149, NA0150, NA0151, KN, KNC, KNL & KNCL Series.

Metric Keensert®

Stainless Steel

Miniature, Thinwall & Lightweight, Heavy Duty, Keylocking Inserts in Stainless Steel, KN, KNC, KNL & KNCL Series.

MF Supply is a leading supplier of key-locking inserts including major brands and equivalents to Acme, Alcoa, Camloc, Clarendon, Fairchild, Kaynar, Microdot and Tridair Keenserts® in imperial, metric and mil-spec sizes and materials.

We stock a huge inventory including Miniature, Thinwall, Lightweight, Heavy Duty, Extra Heavy Duty, Locking, Non-Locking, Solid and Floating style Keenserts®. Our products are DFAR compliant with COC and full certifications available upon request.

If you cant find the part number you need feel free to request a quote and our sourcing experts can help you out!


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 Work With Us

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/3r0B1Q3

Ultimate Guide for Using Functional Equivalents to OEM Fastener Brands in 2023

At MF Supply, we spend a lot of time sourcing hard to find, back ordered, expensive, or out-of-stock OEM hardware brands. We do this in order to save money and to reduce long lead times for our customers, without sacrificing quality.

Just like in the pharmaceutical world, where there are brand names that everyone knows, there are also generic alternatives that are functional equivalents. This is true for the hardware industry too!

6 Things to Know when Comparing Fastener Brands to Generic Alternatives

We’ve discussed how the trademarked brand Keensert® is often available as a Mil-Spec or generic branded key-locking insert. We also reviewed how national brands of precision shoulder screws, such as Amatom, Concord, RAF and others are also offered by McMaster-Carr (tight tolerance series), MSC, Grainger and generically.

But how exactly do you determine which categories of fasteners cross to generic alternatives? This guide offers creative solutions including when to cross, and how to save money and reduce long lead times by using brand alternatives.

1.  What is a functional equivalent when it comes to fasteners and precision components?  

You can find hundreds of registered trademark-branded fasteners and components in the industrial marketplace. Much like brand-name pharmaceuticals such as Tylenol and Advil are available generically (as acetaminophen and ibuprofen), some brand name fasteners are also available as “generics,” “crosses,” “alternatives” or “functional equivalents.”

In the world of fasteners, a functional equivalent fastener is a part that is the same as the brand-name product in form, fit and function, including material and plating specifications.

2.  How can I determine if I must use the brand name or if I can cross to a generic part?

Before you shop, check the bill of materials to see if it specifically calls out a particular brand name along with the part number. If no specific manufacturer’s name is listed, then you can typically use a functional equivalent.

Use this handy 4 point checklist as your guide:

  • Does your bill of materials specifically call for the OEM brand-name fastener or component?
  • Can you live with the lead time or will having parts sooner improve delivery of the final product?
  • Will your supplier provide a certificate of conformance?
  • Will saving money help you be more competitive?

3.  What categories of fasteners are available as generic or functional equivalents?

Popular categories include adhesives and sealants, anchors, bits and nutsetters, cage nuts, flex type lock nuts, handles, Keenserts, knurled thumb screws, nylon insert stop nuts,  precision shoulder screws, retaining rings, rivets & blind threaded inserts, self-clinching, fasteners, spacers and standoffs, speed clips, spring nuts, weld nuts, weld studs, and woodworking screws.

4.  What brands of fasteners should I consider crossing to their generic or functional equivalent?

A sample list of brands that have generic alternatives: 

3 STAR RIVETS USA, ABBATRON®, ALCOA, AMATOM®, APEX®, ARCONIC®, ATLAS®, AVDEL®, AVK®, B. F. GOODRICH, BOLLHOFF, BUCKEYE, CAPTIVE, CELUS®, CHERRY®, CONCORD, FASTENAL, GESIPA®, GRIPCO®, GLOBE ELECTRONICS, H. H. SMITH, HUCK, INDUX, INTERFAST, KEYSTONE, LOCTITE®, LYN-TRON, MACLEAN­ESNA®, MARSON®, MCMASTER-CARR, MISUMI, MSC INDUSTRIAL, PEM®, PIC DESIGN®, POP®, POWERS®, QUICKSCREWS, RAF, RED HEAD®, ROTOR CLIP®, SHEREX, SIMPSON, SOUTHCO®, SPS TECHNOLOGIES, TINNERMAN®, U. S. ANCHOR. VIP, W. M. BERG, W. W. GRAINGER, WALDES TRUARC®.

5.  What are the advantages of using functional equivalents?

Brand names are great, and when they are in stock, available and required by your customer, then you can buy them with confidence in their quality. However, one surefire way to save money and shorten delivery time is to cross the OEM brand part on your bill of materials to a functional equivalent.

6. MF Supply Case Studies for Functional Equivalents

  • Precision Shoulder Screw Functional Equivalents: In this case study, you can learn how one OEM branded precision shoulder screw has eight (yes 8!) functional equivalents.
  • Keensert Functional Equivalents: In this case study, we highlight how we helped a defense supplier save 59% and cut delivery time from 28 weeks down to 5 weeks.

Brands and Functional Equivalents at MF Supply

Supplying a full range of fastener products and services, MF Supply is an authorized distributor of Amatom/Carey, Captive (Pem equivalent), Chrislynn Inserts, Concord, EZ-Lok, Lok-mor, Lyn-tron, Microplastics, Shear-loc, S&M Retaining Rings, and Unicorp, as well as a distribution partner for many others. We have an expertise in dowel pins, inserts and Keenserts and domestic and Mil-Spec products.

We provide functional equivalents to expensive brand name fasteners and help our customers save money while reducing long lead times. Check out our recent case study where a functional equivalent was substituted for an OEM brand, reducing costs by 37% and shaving lead time. This time and money savings gave the manufacturer an advantage over their competition, which helped them win the job.

For more detailed information about brands we commonly cross, visit our website. 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.


MF Supply Work With Us

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/37Yp0F6


The Buyer’s Guide to Self-Clinching Fasteners You Must Have! Refreshed for 2023!

MF 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:

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.

What are the differences between branded fasteners like PEM & Captive and generic Self-clinching fasteners?

SelfClinchStud

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.

Also, watch our video 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.

Seeking parts not listed for purchase on our website? We’ve got you covered! Submit your RFQ for your PEM®, Captive® or equivalent Self-Clinching parts, and our team of experts can help source your needs!


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 Work With Us

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/3MFOMfm


MF Supply Launches New Product Filter! (Refreshed for 2023)

We 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 Work With Us

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


Get the Job Done with a Pneumatic Power Tool

Now introducing the Rock Solid Hydro-Pneumatic Key-locking Insert Installation Tool

A single button is all it takes to operate this tool and to get the job done. No need to use a hammer and a drill to drive the key locking insert into place. 

Don’t know what a pneumatic power tool is or how to use one? Read on!

What is a pneumatic power tool? 

Pneumatic tools are designed to speed up the installation process of key locking inserts—also known as keenserts. They provide you with increased precision and control, improved torqueing, reduced vibration and noise, and more versatility for your projects.  

How do I use a pneumatic power tool? 

Using a pneumatic power tool is very simple and bound to give you some peace of mind in the process! To use a pneumatic power tool, simply set up or prepare the material to be used in the key locking insert (Keensert) installation process and: 

  1. Drill and countersink the material. 
  1. Tap the hole in the material. 
  1. Insert the key locking insert (Keensert) into the hole. 
  1. Screw the key locking insert down into the material with the aid of the pneumatic power tool!  

Keensert Installation Tool Kit

We offer the pneumatic power tool you need to quickly assemble your key locking inserts. Check them out here. Request a quote today, and our team of experts can help source your needs! 

Do you need more details on why you need a pneumatic power tool? Watch the video below!  

Optionally, you might also be interested on reading our previous blog posts about pneumatic power tools, and on how to manually install key locking inserts (Keenserts)


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 Work With Us

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!

We 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


Check out MF Supply’s Handy Keensert® Cross Reference Tables!

Checkout our three most popular Keylocking Insert cross reference charts to see if there is a Functional Equivalent to your Keensert® OEM brand, and start saving money and reducing lead times immediately.

Read More https://conta.cc/3r0B1Q3