{
 "version": "2026-10-20",
 "license": "Dimension sheets: CC BY 4.0. Standard and published-size files: CC BY 4.0. Xem Studio's own designs (files_license = Xem Studio Design License): free to use and sell things from, not to redistribute as files — https://xemstudio.com/license/. Other publishers' files: their own license, linked beside them.",
 "slug": "pem-self-clinching-standoffs-so-bso",
 "name": "PEM self-clinching standoffs (SO, SOS, SOA and blind BSO): hole size, sheet thickness, edge distance, M3–M5 and #4-40 to #10-32 + hole gauges",
 "kind": "standard",
 "category": "Hardware",
 "group": "Fasteners",
 "year": null,
 "question": "What hole size and edge distance for a PEM SO self-clinching standoff, and how thin a sheet can it go in?",
 "tags": [
  "self clinching standoff",
  "pem so standoff",
  "pem bso standoff",
  "clinch standoff",
  "sheet metal standoff",
  "fastener"
 ],
 "aliases": [
  "pem so standoff hole size",
  "self clinching standoff hole diameter",
  "pem sos 632 hole",
  "pem bso standoff m3",
  "so-440 hole size",
  "self clinching standoff edge distance",
  "pem standoff 6440 hole .213",
  "m3 self clinching standoff hole 4.22",
  "pem standoff stl step",
  "clinch standoff hole gauge"
 ],
 "overall_mm": {
  "length": 32.8,
  "width": 15.1,
  "height": 3
 },
 "official_cad": false,
 "xem_status": "free-files",
 "les": false,
 "free_files": 2,
 "url": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/pem-self-clinching-standoffs-so-bso/",
 "sheet_txt": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/pem-self-clinching-standoffs-so-bso/sheet.txt",
 "sheet": {
  "basis": "PEM's SO-series data sheet (sodata.pdf) read as text, thread by thread; two hole gauges as files",
  "overall_mm": {
   "length": 32.8,
   "width": 15.1,
   "height": 3
  },
  "notes": [
   "Types: SO (steel, sheet hardness HRB 80 / HB 150 or less), SOS (stainless, HRB 70 / HB 125 or less), SOA (aluminium, HRB 50 / HB 82 or less, aluminium only) and SO4 (installs in stainless sheet to HRB 88 / HB 183); BSO, BSOS, BSOA and BSO4 are the blind (threaded one end, closed at the other) versions with the same dimensions (hardness limits as printed in the data sheet). Unthreaded SO standoffs, SOSG, DSO and TSO types exist and are not tabulated.",
   "Columns as the data sheet prints them: sheet thickness (read as the minimum sheet the standoff is sized for: .040 / .050 in and 1 / 1.27 mm), minimum hole size B (+.003 / −.000 in; the data sheet lists a minimum only, no separate maximum), the bore diameter in the sheet, the dimension H, the minimum distance from hole centreline to edge D (±.010 in) and the length codes (1/32 in for inch; mm for metric). The PDF text extraction scrambled the columns, so values were assigned by matching them to the metric ones; verify the assignment against PEM's drawing before relying on it. The data sheet also lists a minimum F dimension (.156, .187, .250, .375 in; 3.2, 4, 5, 6.5, 9.5 mm) for the blind type without saying which thread each belongs to; it is not shown.",
   "Files are two hole gauges (smallest first; 3 mm plate, 4 mm gaps and margin are Xem choices). The standoff itself is PEM's part (its CAD is on PEM's product pages, not rehosted). Plain threaded standoffs that are not clinched: threaded-standoffs-metric."
  ],
  "table": {
   "columns": [
    "type",
    "thread / code",
    "sheet thickness",
    "min hole size B",
    "bore in sheet",
    "H",
    "min dist hole C/L to edge D",
    "length codes"
   ],
   "rows": [
    [
     "SO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (inch)",
     "#4-40 (.112-40), codes 440",
     ".040",
     ".166",
     ".165",
     "H .187",
     ".23",
     "4–24 (.125–.750 in)"
    ],
    [
     "SO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (inch)",
     "6440",
     ".040",
     ".213",
     ".212",
     "H .250",
     ".27",
     "4–24"
    ],
    [
     "SO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (inch)",
     "#6-32 (.138-32), code 632",
     ".040",
     ".213",
     ".212",
     "H .250",
     ".27",
     "4–34 (.125–1.062 in)"
    ],
    [
     "SO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (inch)",
     "8632",
     ".050",
     ".281",
     ".280",
     "H .312",
     ".31",
     "4–34"
    ],
    [
     "SO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (inch)",
     "#8-32 (.164-32), code 832",
     ".050",
     ".281",
     ".280",
     "H .312",
     ".31",
     "4–34"
    ],
    [
     "SO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (inch)",
     "#10-32 (.190-32), code 032",
     ".050",
     ".281",
     ".280",
     "H .312",
     ".31",
     "4–34"
    ],
    [
     "SO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (metric)",
     "M3 x 0.5",
     "1",
     "4.22",
     "4.2",
     "H 4.8",
     "6",
     "3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18"
    ],
    [
     "SO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (metric)",
     "3.5M3",
     "1",
     "5.41",
     "5.39",
     "H 6.4",
     "6.8",
     "3–18"
    ],
    [
     "SO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (metric)",
     "M3.5 x 0.6",
     "1",
     "5.41",
     "5.39",
     "H 6.4",
     "6.8",
     "3–25"
    ],
    [
     "SO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (metric)",
     "M4 x 0.7",
     "1.27",
     "7.14",
     "7.12",
     "H 7.9",
     "8",
     "3–25"
    ],
    [
     "SO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (metric)",
     "M5 x 0.8",
     "1.27",
     "7.14",
     "7.12",
     "H 7.9",
     "8",
     "3–25"
    ],
    [
     "BSO / BSOS / BSOA / BSO4 (inch, blind)",
     "#4-40 (.112-40), codes 440",
     ".040",
     ".166",
     ".165",
     "H .187",
     ".23",
     "10–34 (1/32 in codes)"
    ],
    [
     "BSO / BSOS / BSOA / BSO4 (inch, blind)",
     "6440",
     ".040",
     ".213",
     ".212",
     "H .250",
     ".27",
     "10–34 (1/32 in codes)"
    ],
    [
     "BSO / BSOS / BSOA / BSO4 (inch, blind)",
     "#6-32 (.138-32), code 632",
     ".040",
     ".213",
     ".212",
     "H .250",
     ".27",
     "10–34 (1/32 in codes)"
    ],
    [
     "BSO / BSOS / BSOA / BSO4 (inch, blind)",
     "8632",
     ".050",
     ".281",
     ".280",
     "H .312",
     ".31",
     "10–34 (1/32 in codes)"
    ],
    [
     "BSO / BSOS / BSOA / BSO4 (inch, blind)",
     "#8-32 (.164-32), code 832",
     ".050",
     ".281",
     ".280",
     "H .312",
     ".31",
     "10–34 (1/32 in codes)"
    ],
    [
     "BSO / BSOS / BSOA / BSO4 (inch, blind)",
     "#10-32 (.190-32), code 032",
     ".050",
     ".281",
     ".280",
     "H .312",
     ".31",
     "10–34 (1/32 in codes)"
    ],
    [
     "BSO (metric, blind)",
     "M3 x 0.5",
     "1",
     "4.22",
     "4.2",
     "H 4.8",
     "6",
     "6–25"
    ],
    [
     "BSO (metric, blind)",
     "3.5M3",
     "1",
     "5.41",
     "5.39",
     "H 6.4",
     "6.8",
     "6–25"
    ],
    [
     "BSO (metric, blind)",
     "M3.5 x 0.6",
     "1",
     "5.41",
     "5.39",
     "H 6.4",
     "6.8",
     "6–25"
    ],
    [
     "BSO (metric, blind)",
     "M4 x 0.7",
     "1.27",
     "7.14",
     "7.12",
     "H 7.9",
     "8",
     "6–25"
    ],
    [
     "BSO (metric, blind)",
     "M5 x 0.8",
     "1.27",
     "7.14",
     "7.12",
     "H 7.9",
     "8",
     "6–25"
    ]
   ]
  }
 },
 "sheet_text": "PEM self-clinching standoffs (SO, SOS, SOA and blind BSO): hole size, sheet thickness, edge distance, M3–M5 and #4-40 to #10-32 + hole gauges — dimension sheet\nSource: Xem Studio, https://xemstudio.com/objects/pem-self-clinching-standoffs-so-bso/  (sheet CC BY 4.0)\nBasis: PEM's SO-series data sheet (sodata.pdf) read as text, thread by thread; two hole gauges as files\nCatalog version: 2026-10-20\n\nOverall (mm): length 32.8, width 15.1, height 3.0\n- Types: SO (steel, sheet hardness HRB 80 / HB 150 or less), SOS (stainless, HRB 70 / HB 125 or less), SOA (aluminium, HRB 50 / HB 82 or less, aluminium only) and SO4 (installs in stainless sheet to HRB 88 / HB 183); BSO, BSOS, BSOA and BSO4 are the blind (threaded one end, closed at the other) versions with the same dimensions (hardness limits as printed in the data sheet). Unthreaded SO standoffs, SOSG, DSO and TSO types exist and are not tabulated.\n- Columns as the data sheet prints them: sheet thickness (read as the minimum sheet the standoff is sized for: .040 / .050 in and 1 / 1.27 mm), minimum hole size B (+.003 / −.000 in; the data sheet lists a minimum only, no separate maximum), the bore diameter in the sheet, the dimension H, the minimum distance from hole centreline to edge D (±.010 in) and the length codes (1/32 in for inch; mm for metric). The PDF text extraction scrambled the columns, so values were assigned by matching them to the metric ones; verify the assignment against PEM's drawing before relying on it. The data sheet also lists a minimum F dimension (.156, .187, .250, .375 in; 3.2, 4, 5, 6.5, 9.5 mm) for the blind type without saying which thread each belongs to; it is not shown.\n- Files are two hole gauges (smallest first; 3 mm plate, 4 mm gaps and margin are Xem choices). The standoff itself is PEM's part (its CAD is on PEM's product pages, not rehosted). Plain threaded standoffs that are not clinched: threaded-standoffs-metric.\n\ntype  thread / code  sheet thickness  min hole size B  bore in sheet  H  min dist hole C/L to edge D  length codes\nSO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (inch)  #4-40 (.112-40), codes 440  .040  .166  .165  H .187  .23  4–24 (.125–.750 in)\nSO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (inch)  6440  .040  .213  .212  H .250  .27  4–24\nSO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (inch)  #6-32 (.138-32), code 632  .040  .213  .212  H .250  .27  4–34 (.125–1.062 in)\nSO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (inch)  8632  .050  .281  .280  H .312  .31  4–34\nSO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (inch)  #8-32 (.164-32), code 832  .050  .281  .280  H .312  .31  4–34\nSO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (inch)  #10-32 (.190-32), code 032  .050  .281  .280  H .312  .31  4–34\nSO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (metric)  M3 x 0.5  1  4.22  4.2  H 4.8  6  3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18\nSO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (metric)  3.5M3  1  5.41  5.39  H 6.4  6.8  3–18\nSO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (metric)  M3.5 x 0.6  1  5.41  5.39  H 6.4  6.8  3–25\nSO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (metric)  M4 x 0.7  1.27  7.14  7.12  H 7.9  8  3–25\nSO / SOS / SOA / SO4 (metric)  M5 x 0.8  1.27  7.14  7.12  H 7.9  8  3–25\nBSO / BSOS / BSOA / BSO4 (inch, blind)  #4-40 (.112-40), codes 440  .040  .166  .165  H .187  .23  10–34 (1/32 in codes)\nBSO / BSOS / BSOA / BSO4 (inch, blind)  6440  .040  .213  .212  H .250  .27  10–34 (1/32 in codes)\nBSO / BSOS / BSOA / BSO4 (inch, blind)  #6-32 (.138-32), code 632  .040  .213  .212  H .250  .27  10–34 (1/32 in codes)\nBSO / BSOS / BSOA / BSO4 (inch, blind)  8632  .050  .281  .280  H .312  .31  10–34 (1/32 in codes)\nBSO / BSOS / BSOA / BSO4 (inch, blind)  #8-32 (.164-32), code 832  .050  .281  .280  H .312  .31  10–34 (1/32 in codes)\nBSO / BSOS / BSOA / BSO4 (inch, blind)  #10-32 (.190-32), code 032  .050  .281  .280  H .312  .31  10–34 (1/32 in codes)\nBSO (metric, blind)  M3 x 0.5  1  4.22  4.2  H 4.8  6  6–25\nBSO (metric, blind)  3.5M3  1  5.41  5.39  H 6.4  6.8  6–25\nBSO (metric, blind)  M3.5 x 0.6  1  5.41  5.39  H 6.4  6.8  6–25\nBSO (metric, blind)  M4 x 0.7  1.27  7.14  7.12  H 7.9  8  6–25\nBSO (metric, blind)  M5 x 0.8  1.27  7.14  7.12  H 7.9  8  6–25\n\nFiles elsewhere (not hosted by Xem Studio; license as stated by the publisher):\n- PennEngineering (PEM): Threaded standoffs types SO, SOS, SOA, SO4 and BSO, BSOS, BSOA, BSO4 (data sheet sodata.pdf): hole size, sheet thickness, distance to edge, lengths — web — Manufacturer data sheet; dimensions are facts; CAD is PEM's, not hosted — https://www.pemnet.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/06/sodata.pdf\n- McMaster-Carr: Press-fit (self-clinching) nuts (free STEP/IGES per part, for your own design use; no redistribution) — STEP, IGES, PDF — McMaster-Carr site terms: personal design use, no redistribution [verify license at link] — https://www.mcmaster.com/products/press-fit-nuts/thread-size~m6-2/\n\nFree files (CC BY 4.0, Xem Studio; STEP + STL, 2 parts): https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/pem-self-clinching-standoffs-so-bso/index.json\nAPI: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=pem-self-clinching-standoffs-so-bso\n",
 "sources": [
  {
   "publisher": "PennEngineering (PEM)",
   "title": "Threaded standoffs types SO, SOS, SOA, SO4 and BSO, BSOS, BSOA, BSO4 (data sheet sodata.pdf): hole size, sheet thickness, distance to edge, lengths",
   "url": "https://www.pemnet.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/06/sodata.pdf",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Manufacturer data sheet; dimensions are facts; CAD is PEM's, not hosted",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "McMaster-Carr",
   "title": "Press-fit (self-clinching) nuts (free STEP/IGES per part, for your own design use; no redistribution)",
   "url": "https://www.mcmaster.com/products/press-fit-nuts/thread-size~m6-2/",
   "formats": [
    "STEP",
    "IGES",
    "PDF"
   ],
   "license": "McMaster-Carr site terms: personal design use, no redistribution",
   "license_verified": false,
   "hosted": false
  }
 ],
 "xem": {
  "status": "free-files",
  "sheet_free": true,
  "mesh_price_usd": null,
  "step_price_usd": null,
  "tolerance_mm": null
 },
 "related": [
  "pem-self-clinching-nuts-s-cls",
  "pem-self-clinching-studs-fh",
  "threaded-standoffs-metric",
  "rivet-nuts-flat-head",
  "heat-set-inserts"
 ],
 "fits": [],
 "dimensions": "exact (nominal, no tolerance added)",
 "dimension_rule": "All geometry on Xem Studio is exact (nominal, true size) with no tolerance added. Where a part meets another part, the object lists its mating features (feature, exact size, what it mates with, fit class: press, slide, run, socket, clamp or designed). Apply your process's allowance to those features only; 'designed' gaps are part of the design and stay as drawn. Typical accuracy by process and ISO 286 fits: https://xemstudio.com/tolerances/",
 "mating": [
  {
   "feature": "hole in sheet",
   "exact": "M3 Ø4.22, M3.5 5.41, M4 / M5 7.14 mm min; #4-40 .166, #6-32 .213, #8-32 / #10-32 .281 in",
   "mates": "PEM SO / BSO standoff pressed into the sheet",
   "fit": "press",
   "files": "clinch-hole-gauge-"
  }
 ],
 "fit_classes": {
  "press": "stays put: pin, tube, bearing or magnet held by interference. ISO 286 equivalent: H7/p6 (locational interference) or tighter.",
  "slide": "assembles by hand and is held by a grub, pinch or clamp: shaft in a hub, rod in a socket, spigot in a bore. ISO 286 equivalent: H7/g6 or H7/h6.",
  "run": "turns or slides in use: pin in a link, rod through a guide. ISO 286 equivalent: H8/f7 (close running).",
  "socket": "large sliding fit: syringe barrel, sleeve, bobbin in a bore. ISO 286 equivalent: H9/d9 (free running) or looser.",
  "clamp": "split part that closes on the mating part with screws: make it at size.",
  "designed": "a gap that is part of the design (piston fit option, displacer gap, air gap): do not change."
 },
 "faq": [
  {
   "q": "What hole for an M3 PEM SO standoff?",
   "a": "4.22 mm minimum hole size, edge distance 6 mm, in 1 mm sheet (data sheet SO / BSO metric table)."
  },
  {
   "q": "What hole for a #6-32 PEM SO standoff?",
   "a": ".213 in minimum (code 632 and 6440), D = .27 in, sheet .040 in."
  }
 ],
 "files_license": null,
 "offers": [
  {
   "file": "clinch-hole-gauge-pem-standoffs-metric",
   "formats": [
    "step",
    "stl"
   ],
   "price_usd": 0,
   "license": "CC BY 4.0 (Xem Studio)",
   "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/pem-self-clinching-standoffs-so-bso/clinch-hole-gauge-pem-standoffs-metric.step",
   "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/pem-self-clinching-standoffs-so-bso/clinch-hole-gauge-pem-standoffs-metric.stl",
   "note": "hole gauge plate, 32.8 × 15.1 × 3 mm, three holes at PEM's minimum hole size for SO / BSO standoffs: Ø4.22 (M3), 5.41 (M3.5), 7.14 (M4, M5) mm; plate thickness and spacing are Xem choices"
  },
  {
   "file": "clinch-hole-gauge-pem-standoffs-inch",
   "formats": [
    "step",
    "stl"
   ],
   "price_usd": 0,
   "license": "CC BY 4.0 (Xem Studio)",
   "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/pem-self-clinching-standoffs-so-bso/clinch-hole-gauge-pem-standoffs-inch.step",
   "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/pem-self-clinching-standoffs-so-bso/clinch-hole-gauge-pem-standoffs-inch.stl",
   "note": "hole gauge plate, 32.8 × 15.1 × 3 mm, three holes at PEM's hole size for SO / BSO standoffs: .166 (#4-40), .213 (#6-32 and 6440), .281 (#8-32 and #10-32) in; plate thickness and spacing are Xem choices"
  }
 ],
 "markdown": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/pem-self-clinching-standoffs-so-bso/index.md"
}