A panel fastener is comprised of two separately formed interacting parts: a panel retainer and an actuator pin. The retainer is fashioned from sheet metal using progressive stamping technology. The retainer and pin work together to create a fastener for securing two panels together that can semi-permanently snap into the first panel and then be clamped onto and then selectively removed from the second panel. Attachment to the second panel is obtained by expanding and later released by contracting the legs of the retainer by rotating a cammed expander pin between self-locking positions. A head of the expander pin can be configured for hand actuation, tool-only actuation, or both. The retainer is fashioned from sheet metal using progressive stamping technology.