Ultimate Guide: Inch, Mil-Spec, and Metric Keensert® Equivalent Cross Reference Guide!

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. In fact, 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, but is made by an alternative manufacturer.

Below, find 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, KEENSERT®, 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®.

One example of an OEM hardware brand is the trademarked names Keensert®and Keysert®. Although the name Keensert® is often used to describe a Key-locking insert — like Band-Aid® is used to describe an adhesive bandage, or like Kleenex® is used to describe facial tissues — Keensert® is the registered trademark of Huck Patents; its close cousin, the Keysert®, is a registered trademark of Alcoa Fastening Systems.

The same key-locking inserts manufactured under the Keensert® and Keysert® brand names are also available (or have been available in the past, prior to industry consolidation) from alternative manufacturers under brand names such as Acme, Camloc, Clarendon, Fairchild, Kaynar, Microdot, Rexnord and Tridair. You may also find Keenserts® under their Mil-Spec numbers, which include MS51830, MS51831, MS51832 and NA series. Keenserts® come in imperial, metric and mil-spec sizes and materials.

Below, checkout our three most popular key-locking insert cross reference charts, to see if there is a functional equivalent to the Keensert® you need.

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

Mil-Spec & Inch Keensert® Style Keylocking Inserts Cross Reference Chart – MS51830 | MS51831 | MS51832

Miniature, Thinwall & Lightweight, Heavy Duty, Extra Heavy Duty, Key-locking Inserts in Stainless Steel, A286, 4140 Alloy. Includes MS51830, MS51831, MS51832, NAS1394, NAS1395, KN, KNC, KNH, KNHX, KNL & KNCL Series.

Metric Keensert® Cross Reference Chart – 4140 Alloy | A286

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

Metric Keensert® Cross Reference Chart – Stainless Steel

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

MF Supply is a leading supplier of Keensert® style key-locking inserts including major brands and equivalents. We stock a huge inventory including Miniature, Thinwall, Lightweight, Heavy Duty, Extra Heavy Duty, Locking, Non-Locking, Solid and Floating style Keenserts®. Our Mil-Spec products are DFAR compliant with COC and full certifications available upon request.

Manufacturers working with us can expect timely deliveries, competitive pricing, and access to expert guidance to help optimize their fastener choices. Manufacturers eager to explore our product catalog, including our recently expanded product categories, are encouraged to visit our website at www.mfsupply.com, reach out to us at sales@mfsupply.com or request a quote. Our MF Supply team of sourcing experts will 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.


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Your Purchasing Department’s Secret Weapon!
Here are 5 reasons to buy from MF Supply

  • We Source and Deliver What Others Can’t, Faster Than You Imagined – With speedy solutions for elusive parts and lengthy delivery times – We’ve got you covered with both custom-made specials (send us your prints!) and hard-to-source options, quickly and at a fair price.
  • Cost-Effective Functional Equivalents to OEM Brand Fasteners-Why Pay More? – Reduce lead times and costs with the same quality and same performance.  Try us for alternatives to brands like McMaster-Carr, MSC, Misumi, PEM, and RAF and experience unmatched savings! Same form, fit and function for less.  
  • Huge Selection of Certified and Commercial Hardware with Same-day Shipping Available for Countless Items – We source and stock standards, specials, commercial, Mil-Spec & OEM brands in inch and metric sizes. Standards include AN, NAS, MS, IFI, ASTM, ASME, DIN, ISO, JIS. We are sourcing experts for inserts, certified Mil-Spec parts and anything in stainless steel. Many parts are available with manufacturers’ certifications, including DFAR, ROHS and CoC. Trust us to ship on-time from our national distribution centers. 
  • A User-Friendly, 24/7 Online Shopping Experience – Enjoy a 24/7 online shopping experience with easy-to-use filters, detailed product information, and a constantly updated technical directory. Sign up now for a seamless experience! 
  • WBE/WOSB Certified Woman-Owned Small Business – As a certified Woman-Owned Small Business, we support your diversity goals. Trust us to meet your fastener and sourcing needs with expertise and efficiency [Cage Code 58QG4].  

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. 

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