When I try to node-attach something, it is flipped 180... The way I understand normals is that when two parts are correctly aligned, the sum of their node directions should = 0. The effect is that when I try to attach a thing to another thing the attached thing is clipped inside the other thing instead of attached to the node as is correct. The positioning is correct but the orientation is reversed.

I guess you meant to post this issue into the KIS component? Anyway, I need more details on what parts are being attached (a short video would be the best). Normally, there are no issues with the orientation, but there can be edge cases.