Fastmount Vario Self-Tapping Std Male Clip

Fastmount is the ideal system for installing removable ceiling and wall panels, seat backs, headboards, and inspection hatch covers.
The Fastmount System uses male and female fixings - called "clips" - which thread into or surface mount on panel back and substrate, and easily snap together or apart.

The tough, acetyl copolymer clips are available in three profiles: Standard Profile, Low Profile, and Very Low Profile, depending on the thickness of the panel being mounted — the thinner the panel, the lower the profile. The Standard Profile range is also available in metal for heavy load bearing or fire resistant applications. Regardless of the clip profile selected the gap between the mounted panel and the substrate is always about 1/8 - 3/16" (3-4mm) when the clips are recessed.
Additionally, clips are available in several styles - recessed, surface mounted, etc. - to fit a wide variety of substrate materials and application requirements.
The end result is a hidden mounting system which allows easy panel removal for change out, access, or maintenance.

Fastmount System benefits include:
• Install in fiberglass, wood, plywood, MDF, plastic, HPL, sandwich or composite panels, or drywall (use LP-DF8 coarse thread female clip)
• Self-aligning installation procedure
• Perfect panel alignment and secure mounting every time
• Remove and refit panels in any sequence 200+ times
• Saves time and reduces cost
• 11 or 22 lb pull-out load depending on male clip selected
• All clips within a particular range (standard, low profile, very low profile, metal) can be used with each other
• Allows for flexing and expansion of panel and support frame
• Panels are easier to remove and to accurately replace than panels installed with "reclosable fasteners"

PC-VM1 Clip features...
This male self-tapping clip features a 110 lb shear strength, as well as the ability to engage in female sockets at two different gap widths — the normal 4 mm, and a larger 7 mm gap. This feature can be used to account for variability in the smoothness of the substrate surface, or where allowances for various panel cover fabric thicknesses must be taken into account. Vario male clips can be used in conjunction with regular male clips, as required.
Vario Male Clips are suitable for many panel mounting applications, including removeable seat backs and bases and seat backs with removable covers. These clips can be used with any standard profile female clip. See Related Products, below..
• Compatible with all four standard profile female clips — PC-F1A, PC-SF1, PC-RF1, and PC-AF1
• Screws into 10.0 mm hole made with CT-01 step drill or CT-09 Forstner step drill tools
• Install using the CT-10 male clip installation tool
• This clip disengages with a pull-out force of 11 lb (5 kg)
• Made of strong white acetyl copolymer
• A general note — an A or B following a part number represents a revision in the design, but the function of the clip remains the same
Fastmount products are designed and made in New Zealand.

To ensure a quality finished product, it is highly recommended that you use Fastmount's specialty installation and removal tools when working with these fittings; see Accessory Products, below.

Watch a 1 minute video of a similar (although non-vario) self-tapping male clip and its female self-tapping counterpart being installed.

Fastmount removable panel mounting systems are well-suited for CNC machining, minimizing cost of manufacturing, yet assuring a superior final fit and finish. Panels can be easily removed and replaced with perfect alignment every time.
Modern construction materials and techniques can be combined with the Fastmount system to enable new build materials to be used. These can result in significant time and cost savings, while improving the quality of the finished work.

Technical Resources...
Click here for the Product Sheet for this PC-VM1 Standard Male Vario Clip, and here for the PC-VM1 Installation Guide (see middle of page 2).

Clip Selection Guide for Marine applications.
Clip Selection Guide for Architectural applications.

Here are useful Clip Installation Tips for all Fastmount clips.

Clip Layout Guides for...
• Small and Lightweight Panels - using Standard Profile, Low Profile, Very Low Profile or Metal clips
• Large Panels - when using Standard Profile clips
• Large Panels - when using Low Profile clips
• Large/Heavy Panels or installations requiring Heat Resistance - using Metal clips