KATO Fastening Systems

KATO Fastening Systems, Inc. is a maker of threaded inserts based in Hampton, Virginia. It was set up in 1997 to serve the North American fastener market. The site says the company invented the tangless insert.

The company makes Tangless CoilThread inserts. These install with a drive notch at either end of the coil, so no tang has to be broken off or retrieved. The site says tangless inserts have the same characteristics as tanged inserts and can be easily adjusted or removed after installation.

The site also lists tanged inserts, which install with a tang at one end. Other products include installation tools, removal tools, hand tools, air tools, the KFS-30 cordless driver, LockOne linear torque arms, master kits, and precision hexatorq hinges. New tangless sizes of 1/2-13 and 7/16-14 are listed.

The site quotes endorsements from several defense and electronics firms. These include Lockheed Sanders, Texas Instruments, Martin Marietta, ITT Defense and Electronics, and Raytheon. One quote says a supplier supports adding tangless inserts to military standards.

The site describes a Tangless thread repair kit called Pro-Kits. It also describes the KATOpedia, an information resource on helical screw thread inserts. The site says the company offers a satisfaction program, and it lists distributors by location and by name.

The contact page lists the phone number 757.873.8980 and the fax number 757.873.4920. The address is 130 Research Drive, Suite 100, Hampton, Virginia 23666. The site also has links to Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

The site lists a KATO Motorsport item and a LockOne product that it describes as offering a superior locking force. It says tangless inserts eliminate the need to retrieve tangs in blind hole applications. The site also lists a survey link and privacy and legal pages. The site lists the KFS-25 and KFS-20 tools and the Hexatorq hinges. It also lists a Master Kits page, a One Pawl Fits-All tool and Perma-Coil kits.