$20 a week for fasteners!

[Thumper68]

A few weeks back I was looking in my bolt bin (card files) and noticed that I was getting low on a bunch of stuff. I stopped in at my bolt supplier and asked for a few different things when the idea of just picking up $20 worth each week hit me. So now I have a list of what I like to keep on hand and each week before heading to the lake/shop I stop in and get part of that list.

Last week it was 25 3/8x1 grade 5 bolts, 50 3/8 nuts, and 10 3/8x1 carriage bolts for a project all of which came to just under $10 so I added 25 5/16x1 and 25 5/16x1.5.

I don't know what I am going to knock off the list this week yet but I kind of like doing it this way, it only takes me 20 seconds to dump the bags in the proper bin so I am not spending 10 minutes screwing around with a big box of bolts. And I don't feel bad about dropping $20 on this each week where in the past I would make my list and drop a few hundred to re-stock when I was running low.

If I know I am going to need 10,20 or more for a project I will pick them up so I don't kill my supply all in one shot.

I am still deciding where to stop, I like to have a good selection on hand from 1/4x3/4-1/4x2.5 to 1/2x1-1/2x2 in the smaller sizes about 25 to 30 and in the larger around 10 of each in grade 5. I don't stock grade 8 and in larger sizes I just have what is left over from projects.

I am trying to figure out washers as well, how useful are things like star style lock washers, I have always stocked split washers for locking nuts in place. Then there are fender washers I guess I should have a few 10 or so in each size.

I know a lot of you say just run to the hardware store but for me that is a hour and a half round trip plus what ever time it takes in the store, I hate to waste $20 in fuel and 2 hours of my time for a few fasteners.

 

[HanShotFirst]

Nut and bolt collection is absolutely essential; just can't live without one. Mine has become frighteningly small and it's about time to start replenishing.

 

[colt zantop]

I just loaded up myself for......FREE! My work was going to throw these in the trash! I've already used a bunch of stuff.

 

[jd_1138]

Nut and bolt collection is absolutely essential; just can't live without one. Mine has become frighteningly small and it's about time to start replenishing.

Time to take an inventory and re-stock. Or else you'll be heading off to the hardware store 2 or 3 times one day just for 1 project.

10 years ago, I bought a plastic storage bin with about 30 little compartments in it, and it came with a bunch of screws (wood, metal), bolts, washers, nuts. I think it was only $20 or so.

That little dude has saved me lots of trips to the hardware store over the last decade. Some of the compartments are getting low on stock.

 

[Streetbu]

My dad had 5 talking buckets full of used hardware. When I was a kid it was my job to sort them and put them away in the proper bins. I hated that job with a passion...

 

[404]

A few weeks back I was looking in my bolt bin (card files) and noticed that I was getting low on a bunch of stuff. I stopped in at my bolt supplier and asked for a few different things when the idea of just picking up $20 worth each week hit me. So now I have a list of what I like to keep on hand and each week before heading to the lake/shop I stop in and get part of that list.

Last week it was 25 3/8x1 grade 5 bolts, 50 3/8 nuts, and 10 3/8x1 carriage bolts for a project all of which came to just under $10 so I added 25 5/16x1 and 25 5/16x1.5.

I don't know what I am going to knock off the list this week yet but I kind of like doing it this way, it only takes me 20 seconds to dump the bags in the proper bin so I am not spending 10 minutes screwing around with a big box of bolts. And I don't feel bad about dropping $20 on this each week where in the past I would make my list and drop a few hundred to re-stock when I was running low.

If I know I am going to need 10,20 or more for a project I will pick them up so I don't kill my supply all in one shot.

I am still deciding where to stop, I like to have a good selection on hand from 1/4x3/4-1/4x2.5 to 1/2x1-1/2x2 in the smaller sizes about 25 to 30 and in the larger around 10 of each in grade 5. I don't stock grade 8 and in larger sizes I just have what is left over from projects.

I am trying to figure out washers as well, how useful are things like star style lock washers, I have always stocked split washers for locking nuts in place. Then there are fender washers I guess I should have a few 10 or so in each size.

I know a lot of you say just run to the hardware store but for me that is a hour and a half round trip plus what ever time it takes in the store, I hate to waste $20 in fuel and 2 hours of my time for a few fasteners.

I would think the prices are higher when purchasing less than box quantity?

 

[James-W]

I try to keep a decent selection of nuts, bolts and washers on hand but for some reason I don't seem to have enough of the size I need when I need it. Fortunately, there is an Ace Hardware just a few blocks from where I live. They always seem to have exactly what I need, when I need it.

 

[James-W]

I would think the prices are higher when purchasing less than box quantity?

Some places sell nuts, bolts and washers, by the pound.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I have some loose hardware roughly sorted in two clear pull out drawer holder thingies. When I do a project, I just get what I need. I reslly don't have room to store a good hardware assortment.

Tommy

 

[Thumper68]

I would think the prices are higher when purchasing less than box quantity?

The place I buy at is all bulk fasteners grade 5 is so much a pound and grade 8 is another price honestly I can't remember what they charge but they are way better priced than say Fastenal.

 

[dcmus]

I'm dealing with the same situation. I'll be moving my shop fairly soon.Will be 15 minutes away from supplies which I WILL need..... Do have a couple suppliers who sell grade 5 bolts for $2.99/lb and want to compare that to box prices?

 

[404]

Ah Okay, the by the pound is a lot more useful.

 

[Thumper68]

Of course they do offer discounts for larger orders.

 

[rburke65]

Over the years I have accumulated lots of fasteners and it is upsetting to me when my projects are halted because I don't have what I need.

 

[don long]

In my bodyshop business I found that if I had too much stock on hand that it would be used faster than only having a few pieces on hand.
If a guy went to the bin and there were plenty of 1/4-20 bolts he would grab a handful, If the bin was low on stock he would only take what he needed.
It's human nature even for me when I know that the drawer is full I'm not as careful as when I know that I'm running short.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I filled my nut/bolt selection the same way, a little bit at a time, a pound here and pound there. The only thign I regret now is that I bought grade 2 and should have spent a little extra and went with grade 5.

 

[Thumper68]

I filled my nut/bolt selection the same way, a little bit at a time, a pound here and pound there. The only thign I regret now is that I bought grade 2 and should have spent a little extra and went with grade 5.

I agree that you need to spend the extra $$ for grade 5, I know a few guys who stock up with grade 8 and I just can't see that for my personal use I know when a project calls for 8's and I will get them as needed, if it is a emergency repair then a 5 will do for the short term.

 

[coljar]

Funny this topic came up. I was looking in my fastener drawers the other day and noted that my 1/4", 5/16", and 3/8" were getting perilously low.

 

[Harrison2]

our shop runs about 2k a month on fasteners and clips for autobody.

 

[STANIMAL]

I spent just over a $1000 for a Wurth setup with fasteners . Otherwise it was costing a fortune in time and money hunting them down .

 

[justanengineer]

So long as the garage doesnt look like youre trying to start a hardware store who cares? I'm looking at spending decent money on individual plastic bins w/dividers bc I want to subdivide my Fastenal bins and easily keep them clean, so a bin w/in a bin it is.

 

[Thumper68]

So long as the garage doesnt look like youre trying to start a hardware store who cares? I'm looking at spending decent money on individual plastic bins w/dividers bc I want to subdivide my Fastenal bins and easily keep them clean, so a bin w/in a bin it is.

I feel the same way, I really like my card files, in one I have a ton of small boxes I got at a auction, they were designed for selling fasteners and in the other I have the red plastic bins from Menards 15 of them fit almost perfectly in each drawer.

I have 3 or 4 more of the larger card files at my fathers store, he is using them for storage right now but I will be moving them to the shop at some point in the future.

This is the smaller card file that I have the red bins in, I want them to be at least somewhat mobile so I built bases with casters, when they are full they are a ***** to move but I can roll them around a bit if I have to.

 

[Norcal]

I scrap grade 2 hardware, grade 5 or better for me. When I happen to be at the scrapyard when someone has tossed a bunch of new hardware, I scoop it up just got a bunch of stainless that way, the magnet did not pick it up, but was surprised did not slice open my hand from the glass in the mix.

 

[brycez28]

I feel the same way, I really like my card files, in one I have a ton of small boxes I got at a auction, they were designed for selling fasteners and in the other I have the red plastic bins from Menards 15 of them fit almost perfectly in each drawer.

I have 3 or 4 more of the larger card files at my fathers store, he is using them for storage right now but I will be moving them to the shop at some point in the future.

This is the smaller card file that I have the red bins in, I want them to be at least somewhat mobile so I built bases with casters, when they are full they are a ***** to move but I can roll them around a bit if I have to.

I really like that setup! Unfortunately, I don't have much floor space so I made this for my bins. I printed out address labels with the type and size of fastener for each bin. So it would be like "G8 1/2"x2 Bolt" or "SS 1/2" Fender Washer".

95% of my fasteners are Grade 8.

 

[zcar751]

I keep a small selection of standard and metric bolts and electrical connectors for my different projects and had them all over the shop so I picked up a half dozen of these at HF and filled them with most of my hardware. They are all full so I need to pick up four or five more. Next I plan on building a cabinet for them with dividers so they aren't stacked on top of one another.
View media item 51684

 

[gipraw]

I like your $20 a week plan. I keep a small list and always try to pick up a box of something when I find myself @ Ace, or HD.

 

[theoldwizard1]

My dad had 5 talking buckets full of used hardware. ...

My ad kept all of his used fasteners in glass baby food and pickle jars, not well sorted. So if you wanted a couple of nuts and bolts, you dumped everything out and started sorting. I hated that. I don't keep old rusty fasteners.

I don't have enough room for a lot of bolts, but I do have nuts, washer and lock washers for everything from #8 - ½". I so have a good assortment of machine and sheet metal screws from #6 through #12, various length and head styles (mostly Phillips-pan head and hex-Phillips).

Neither of my kids (or their spouses) are much into DIY, but it is really nice to have a good selection for when they are doing a project.

I also have a fastener store less than 5 miles away, that handles my "tiny" orders (yesterday it was 2 - 3" Grade 8 5/16" bolts and nuts ). We do "cash" and I'm sure it goes in the coffee fund !


Anyone trying to beef up their supply, buy in full box quantities if possible.

 

[Falcon67]

TSC sells Grade 3, 5 and 8 by the pound also. But I never seem to remember my list LOL.

 

[sberry]

I never use 8 but stock both 5 and some 2 and toss a lot of old bolts and nuts. If its not good and serviceable I don't want it and new 1/4 20 soft nuts and flat washers are cheap and keep some both grades to inch.
When I hired more men I usually stocked 5 but I do so much small fab and replacement it makes it all so much less tempting to re use something if new is cheap.

 

[Strouty]

I hate storing hardware.


















Wait, no that is not me, I am a hardware hoarder.

 

[sberry]

I cant think of anything I have besides a couple ****** mount/frame bolts in a bulldozer that is grade 8.
Very rarely used outside of specialty equipment and the diy types got exactly no use for it. On occasions fine thread is used but that is even minor in the grand scheme of things.
I got maybe 1/2 much as more in some specialty or bulk. Not a super lot but replace as needed and have a bin on my heavy service truck dedicated to common bolts and a little hardware.

 

[Rock Hound]

I feel like this could be a business plan: for $20 a month I'll send you a box of random hardware straight to your door! Hey, it works for Dollar Shave Club.

 

[yodie]

I feel like this could be a business plan: for $20 a month I'll send you a box of random hardware straight to your door! Hey, it works for Dollar Shave Club.

I would sign up in a heart beat!

 

[Strouty]

I would sign up in a heart beat!

Where do you want me to send it?

 

[Thumper68]

I feel like this could be a business plan: for $20 a month I'll send you a box of random hardware straight to your door! Hey, it works for Dollar Shave Club.

The only issue with that for me would be that I would end up with to much of one thing and not enough of another.

I decided that this week my $20 is going for 5/16 x 2, 3/8 x 2 and 5/16 nuts and a handful of 1/4, 5/16 and 3/8 nylock nuts.

Free for the shipping

small flat rate box, so $6 I think

As many as I can fit in the box 3/4 bolts, lock washers and nuts. I have 2 different lengths I think they are 2" and 2.5" so let me know what length you want.

They came from a elevator guy who gave me a bucket of them.

I can give out 4 of these pm me if you want them.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I agree that you need to spend the extra $$ for grade 5, I know a few guys who stock up with grade 8 and I just can't see that for my personal use I know when a project calls for 8's and I will get them as needed, if it is a emergency repair then a 5 will do for the short term.

Damn GJ, always costing me money.

Stopped and picked up some new grade 5 1/4"x 1" bolts and nuts. Oh lord here we go again with buying fasteners.

 

[Thumper68]

Damn GJ, always costing me money.

Stopped and picked up some new grade 5 1/4"x 1" bolts and nuts. Oh lord here we go again with buying fasteners.

Don't forget the washers, lock washers, t-nuts, carriage bolts, wing nuts

 

[bwringer]

Inch size stuff is worse than useless for me. Everything I work on is metric.

I work on a lot of vintage Japanese motorcycles, and it's very common that you have to destroy an ancient cheddar cheese fastener to remove it. Philips head screws go directly into the trash and get replaced with socket heads. (Yes, I know all about JIS screwdrivers already.)

So I have a LARGE selection of salvaged and purchased metric hardware, not to mention taps, dies, thread cleaners, left-handed drill bits, thread files, and tons of inserts and related paraphernalia.

I'm not on the $20 a week plan, but I do place a decent size order with McMaster-Carr every so often. And when I need fasteners, I always buy extra.

Ace hardware is stupidly expensive, so they're a last resort. It's pretty rare that I don't have what I need "in stock".

 

[Thumper68]

Inch size stuff is worse than useless for me. Everything I work on is metric.

I work on a lot of vintage Japanese motorcycles, and it's very common that you have to destroy an ancient cheddar cheese fastener to remove it. Philips head screws go directly into the trash and get replaced with socket heads. (Yes, I know all about JIS screwdrivers already.)

So I have a LARGE selection of salvaged and purchased metric hardware, not to mention taps, dies, thread cleaners, left-handed drill bits, thread files, and tons of inserts and related paraphernalia.

I'm not on the $20 a week plan, but I do place a decent size order with McMaster-Carr every so often. And when I need fasteners, I always buy extra.

Ace hardware is stupidly expensive, so they're a last resort. It's pretty rare that I don't have what I need "in stock".

This is exactly why I started doing the $20 a week, I want "Need" to have a stock of the fasteners I use regularly for small projects and repairs on hand.

 

[Mattlt]

I really like the $20 / week idea!

I keep a list of needed fasteners and consumables on a simple notebook app on my phone. Whenever I'm out in a store I check the list if I can get what I need. My favorite source for bulk fasteners are the farm supply stores. They usually have hardware grade, grade 5, and often grade 8 in stock, usually by the pound.