Aerospace Temporary Tooling

Cleco Fasteners & Installation Tools

Industrial-grade temporary sheet metal fasteners, speed nut Clecos, pliers, and Nova® pneumatic installation tools for aircraft MRO and OEM assembly.

  • 1986Manufacturing & supplying aerospace tooling
  • 5,000+Aviation tool line items in stock
  • NAS / MILEngineered to strict aerospace standards
  • 0PFP1CAGE Code — verified government supplier
Aviation Grade Fastening Systems

Heavy-Duty Aircraft Cleco Fasteners & Temporary Clamps

Cleco fasteners, Cleco pliers, and Nova® pneumatic Cleco installation tools are vital elements of any aircraft technician’s tool crib. Clecos provide temporary, highly precise tension to keep sheet metal skins and composite panels locked in exact alignment prior to final drilling, reaming, countersinking, and riveting operations.

Engineered for Precision Airframe Repair & Manufacturing

Pan American Tool Corporation manufactures and distributes a complete line of Cleco temporary fasteners suitable for high-frequency use in commercial airline MRO depots, military repair facilities, and OEM aerostructure production plants worldwide.

Our catalog includes standard spring-actuated Clecos, heavy-duty clamps, miniature profile Clecos, wing-nut styles, hex-nut series, side-grip clamps, and protective non-marring options engineered for delicate composite skins.

  • Industry-Standard Color Coding: Instant size identification for 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", and 1/4" drill diameters.
  • Zero Hole Elongation: Uniform clamping tension prevents structural hole distortion during riveting sequences.
  • Speed-Nut & Composite Safe Options: Precision pressure control prevents surface delamination on carbon fibre or fiberglass panels.
  • High-Durability Steel Construction: Heat-treated steel bodies engineered for tough hangar environments and continuous production cycles.

Global Procurement & Compliance

As a trusted aerospace supplier with CAGE Code 0PFP1, Pan American Tool supports international aerospace purchasing programs with full traceability, fast lead times, and global shipping capabilities from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.

Whether restocking an airline tool crib or equipping a full aerostructure assembly line, our tooling specialists provide technical expertise to ensure optimal tool selection.

Product Catalog Showcase

Complete Line of Clecos & Installation Equipment

Select from our comprehensive inventory of plier-operated Clecos, threaded speed nut fasteners, side clamps, manual pliers, and Nova® pneumatic power installation tools.

Knurled Cleco Fasteners for aircraft sheet metal
Plier-OperatedKnurled Cleco Fasteners
Cleco Fasteners P Series standard grip
Standard GripCleco Fasteners P Series
Cleco Fasteners PHD Series heavy duty
Heavy DutyCleco Fasteners PHD Series
Cleco Fasteners PMIN Series miniature
Tight AccessCleco Fasteners PMIN Series
Cleco Fasteners PHN Hex Nut Series
Speed NutCleco Fasteners PHN Series (Hex Nut)
Cleco Fasteners PWN Wing Nut Series
Wing NutCleco Fasteners PWN Series (Wing Nut)
Cleco Fasteners PLHN Long Hex Nut Series
Extra ReachCleco Fasteners PLHN Series (Long Hex)
Cleco Fasteners PLWN Long Wing Nut Series
Extra ReachCleco Fasteners PLWN Series (Long Wing)
Cleco Fasteners PSG Side-Grip Clamp Series
Edge ClampingCleco Fasteners PSG Series (Side-Grip)
Manual Cleco Pliers with Soft Cushion Handle
Manual ToolCleco Pliers With Soft Handle
Nova Pneumatic Cleco Installation Tool
PneumaticNova® Cleco Installation Tool
Nova Pneumatic Cleco Installation Tool Pistol Grip
Pistol GripNova® Cleco Installation Tool - Pistol Grip
Nova Pneumatic Cleco Installation Tool Extra Long
Extended ReachNova® Cleco Tool - Extra Long
Nova Hex Nut Cleco Installation Tool
Hex Power ToolNova® Hex Nut Cleco Installation Tool
Technical Reference

Cleco Fastener Specification & Color Code Guide

Refer to the standard engineering chart below when specifying temporary fasteners for aircraft repair schemes, skin splicing, or structural rib assembly.

Standard Specifications for Plier-Operated Cleco Fasteners (P & PHD Series)
Hole Size (Inches) Color Code Standard Grip Range HD / Extended Grip Range Primary Application
3/32" (#40 Drill) Zinc / Cadmium (Silver) 0" – 1/4" 0" – 1/2" Small skin repairs, light sheet metal rib attachment.
1/8" (#30 Drill) Copper (Bronze) 0" – 1/4" 0" – 1/2" Standard fuselage skin paneling and stringer positioning.
5/32" (#21 Drill) Black Oxide 0" – 1/4" 0" – 1/2" Structural skin splices, wing sub-assemblies.
3/16" (#11 Drill) Brass / Gold 0" – 1/4" 0" – 1/2" Heavy structural frames, spar cap temporary clamping.
1/4" (F Drill) Copper / Bright Steel 0" – 1/4" 0" – 1/2" High-shear temporary alignment, structural fittings.
Frequently Asked Questions

Aerospace Cleco Application & Selection FAQ

What are Cleco fasteners used for in aircraft maintenance and manufacturing?
Cleco fasteners are spring-loaded or threaded temporary clamping tools designed to hold multiple sheet metal or composite panels in precise alignment. They ensure consistent hole registration during drilling, reaming, countersinking, and riveting operations without allowing material layers to shift or gap.
Which Cleco fastener style is safest for composite skins?
For carbon fibre composite panels, glass laminate structures, or soft aluminum surfaces, Speed-Nut Cleco Fasteners (Hex Nut or Wing Nut types) are recommended. Unlike spring-loaded Clecos, threaded Speed-Nut Clecos allow operators to manually or pneumatically apply controlled clamping pressure without marring panel surfaces or scoring hole margins.
What are the operational advantages of Nova® Pneumatic Cleco Tools?
Nova® pneumatic Cleco installation tools replace manual hand pliers during high-volume production operations. They significantly decrease cycle times, ensure uniform installation depth, reduce technician hand fatigue, and increase line efficiency on major aircraft re-skinning or OEM fuselage projects.
How do side-grip Cleco clamps (PSG Series) differ from standard Clecos?
Side-grip Cleco clamps grip panels along the edges without requiring pre-drilled holes. They are ideal for securing trim angles, un-drilled skins, or perimeter stiffeners prior to layout marking and pilot hole drilling.
Does Pan American Tool support global export for airline purchasing orders?
Yes. Pan American Tool Corporation routinely ships Clecos and installation equipment to commercial airlines, MRO stations, defense logistics centers, and aerospace distributors worldwide. Our CAGE Code is 0PFP1.

Request a B2B Quote for Cleco Fasteners & Nova® Tools

Need volume pricing, international freight quotes, or technical assistance with your airframe repair tool crib? Our aerospace technical sales team is ready to assist.

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