Complete Guide to Stand-Offs: Blind & Through Hole Types

Blind stand-offs (also called blind standoff fasteners or PEM standoffs) are internally threaded fasteners installed permanently into sheet metal, panels, or PCBs where only one side is accessible. Installation requires punching or drilling hole in sheet, placing standoff in hole, and using press or installation tool to deform the standoff body. As standoff is pressed, knurls or ribs on the body bite into surrounding material while base flange compresses against sheet. This creates strong, permanent threaded mounting point without requiring access to back side. The installed standoff has smooth external profile on front side with internal threads ready to accept machine screws from opposite side. Common applications include electronics enclosures (mounting PCBs inside sealed boxes), automotive panels (attaching trim and components to body panels), appliances (mounting controls and covers), and industrial panels. Available in aluminum (lightweight, non-conductive), steel (high strength), stainless steel (corrosion resistant), and brass (aesthetic applications).

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Through hole stand-offs (round standoffs, male-female standoffs) are threaded cylindrical spacers where mounting screw passes completely through the standoff body. They feature external male threads on one end (screws into base component), smooth barrel section (creates spacing), and female threaded hole on opposite end (accepts mounting screw for second component). This configuration creates precise stack-up of components with controlled spacing. Unlike blind standoffs (which require permanent installation), through hole standoffs allow complete disassembly and reassembly without tools or special equipment. Common applications include PCB stacking (creating multi-board assemblies with precise spacing), sign mounting (creating shadow effect by spacing sign from wall), panel mounting (spacing control panels from backing), and architectural applications. Similar to hex spacers but with pass-through design. Available in brass, aluminum, stainless steel, and nylon for electrical insulation.

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