To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Best flat washers?

78C-10

Banned
Joined
Mar 14, 2012
Messages
1,314
Location
No. Illinois
Hello everyone, I like to have a stash of different size flat washers on hand, the bulk ones I have bought off of ebay are ok but not very meaty. What brand of flat washers do you buy and where do you buy them? I like thicker washers, not real thick like spacers, just thicker than the usual hardware store sheet metal washers, and I like a little larger outside diameters. Thank you for your input.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Reducto

Well-known member
Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
53
Location
S.W. PA
If you have a Tractor Supply near you check out their bulk Grade 8 washers for $4.49/LB. They are solid and come in many sizes.
 

brownbagg

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 20, 2006
Messages
5,208
i didnt know they had brands, I just pickup what ever home depot has in the bins
 
OP
7

78C-10

Banned
Joined
Mar 14, 2012
Messages
1,314
Location
No. Illinois
I'll have to look at TSC next time I'm there, it isn't exactly around the corner from us but I'll have to plan a trip there.
 

APEowner

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 2, 2009
Messages
4,164
Location
Sunny, New Mexico
I buy washers from McMaster-Carr. I spec whatever is appropriate for the task at hand and use whatever brand they ship. If I need something custom I get 'em from Bokers.
 

nadogail

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
31,920
Location
Coronado, CA
I buy mine from an industrial surplus store. HD is an abbreviation for Home Desperate, a last resort for threaded fasteners. Very limited selection at full retail price, but he are open t ate ar night and on weekends.

You seem to be describing USS washers, in my limited experience I have found them to be heavier than SAE washers.
 

rburke65

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 10, 2007
Messages
12,349
Location
Canfield, Ohio
I like the round ones with the circular holes....holes preferably in the center. I also didn't knowtherewere 'name brand' washers. Ya learn something everyday on this site.
 

larry_g

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 28, 2007
Messages
16,872
Location
oregon
If you spend a bit of time perusing the offerings from MSC or McMaster Carr you will find there are many items under the description of flat washer. So spend some time and learn the differences between the different washers and then order what will serve YOUR application best. The material and loads will dictate the proper fastener and washer to be used. The dime store washers are not the answer to most applications.

lg
no neat sig line
 

owenst7

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Messages
632
Location
Anchorage/Reno
I like the round ones with the circular holes....holes preferably in the center. I also didn't knowtherewere 'name brand' washers. Ya learn something everyday on this site.

There's not. There are standard specs that many manufacturers follow. 95% of them are all imported from China and follow the same specs and quality control requirements that fasteners manufactured in the US do. If you buy fasteners that reference a mechanical spec, they will be held to those requirements regardless of the manufacturer.

SAE and USS are the most common. SAE has a smaller OD than USS. USS is smaller than a fender washer, which has somewhat of a standard to it. Both SAE and USS have associated mechanical requirements.

There is also a spec for thickened SAE washers, although the name escapes me at the moment.

Fastenal, McMaster, or a local REAL fastener supplier will be a completely different type of store than a big box store. If you are buying fasteners from Home Depot, Ace, etc, you are not buying fasteners where an OEM does, and I'd put money down that you are paying 2-3 times as much as you would at a real fastener supplier. Most box stores do carry grade 5, 8, class 8.8 (metric "grade 5"), and class 10.9 (metric "grade 8") fasteners in limited selections, but you will be paying way more than a real fastener supplier would charge for the same stuff.
 
Last edited:
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

owenst7

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Messages
632
Location
Anchorage/Reno
I wonder what steel mill McMaster Carr and others source their washers from?

There are a few US manufacturers like Star, MMS, etc, but most everything is coming in giant lots from Chinese contractors. FNL makes certain items here, but the majority comes from overseas. The US manufacturers typically only make high movement items for government contracts that require US-made materials. So 1/4", 1/2", 3/4", etc that are common standards in new construction.

I had a hell of a time trying to source 1/4" fender washers that were made in USA for an electrical contractor once. They needed about 20 for a tower at a government facility and their contract required 100% made in USA. I had about 600 of them in my warehouse, but they were made in China like everything else. Between a dozen US fastener manufacturers, I got one that was willing to shut down a line and set up tooling to make them within the two week deadline. Ended up costing the taxpayers (you know the contractor was just going to pass the cost on like anyone else would) over $600 for 20 washers. I tried to simply give the standard Chinese ones to the contractor (they were under a dollar, their price anyway), but they had to have a paper trail for every single material, down to the individual washer.
 

The Original Fisho

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 30, 2014
Messages
109
There are a few US manufacturers like Star, MMS, etc, but most everything is coming in giant lots from Chinese contractors. FNL makes certain items here, but the majority comes from overseas. The US manufacturers typically only make high movement items for government contracts that require US-made materials. So 1/4", 1/2", 3/4", etc that are common standards in new construction.

I had a hell of a time trying to source 1/4" fender washers that were made in USA for an electrical contractor once. They needed about 20 for a tower at a government facility and their contract required 100% made in USA. I had about 600 of them in my warehouse, but they were made in China like everything else. Between a dozen US fastener manufacturers, I got one that was willing to shut down a line and set up tooling to make them within the two week deadline. Ended up costing the taxpayers (you know the contractor was just going to pass the cost on like anyone else would) over $600 for 20 washers. I tried to simply give the standard Chinese ones to the contractor (they were under a dollar, their price anyway), but they had to have a paper trail for every single material, down to the individual washer.
That's both insane and not surprising at the same time

Sent from my SM-G903W using Tapatalk
 
OP
7

78C-10

Banned
Joined
Mar 14, 2012
Messages
1,314
Location
No. Illinois
^^This^^

Their hardware is visibly superior to the no name **** from the tractor stores.

I agree with the tractor store ****, they look cheaply stamped out of tin foil, especially when I bought some 5/16" washers the other day, brought them home and found that a 3/8" bolt fits snugly. Good washers won't let another size fit through.
 

Kmp259

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 6, 2014
Messages
120
Location
Gurnee, IL.
Army/Navy....also known as AN bolts an washers.....

McMaster ....Titanium grade 9 bolts and washers....in special applications....
 

like2wheel

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 29, 2014
Messages
1,693
Location
On an as needed basis
I agree with the tractor store ****, they look cheaply stamped out of tin foil, especially when I bought some 5/16" washers the other day, brought them home and found that a 3/8" bolt fits snugly. Good washers won't let another size fit through.

Not defending Tractor Supply hardware, but I'm sure you bought USS washers, & by design that would be the correct I.d. Has nothing to do with being "good" washers - that is the spec. for that type.

Next time look for SAE washers, they have a tighter fit, but a smaller o.d.

I'd think they stock both types
 
Last edited:

Ironhorse74

MEMBER EMERITUS
Joined
Nov 10, 2014
Messages
998
Location
The Pacific North Wet
I wouldn't trust a grade 8 TSC bolt. My bet is that Chinese bolt would never meet S.A.E. standards. But even if it did, Grade 8 is way to hard for most general applications.

I
 

owenst7

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Messages
632
Location
Anchorage/Reno
I wouldn't trust a grade 8 TSC bolt. My bet is that Chinese bolt would never meet S.A.E. standards. But even if it did, Grade 8 is way to hard for most general applications.

I

What is the hardness spec for grade 8?

How does hardness effect the application of a fastener?

Where do you buy non Chinese fasteners?
 
Last edited:

Fixed

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 18, 2015
Messages
397
Location
Ontario, Canada
Sometimes I got to wonder,,, how I ever manage to get standard stuff to work for me?
Lmao. I was just wondering the same thing. Seems like there are a lot of large, successful companies that should have asked GJ before they started buying material for big projects...

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk
 

ken w.

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 16, 2012
Messages
2,237
Location
Western New York
I don't think the OP is looking to build a space shuttle , he just wanted to have a stash of thicker washers. TSC grade 8 washers will do fine for most home project's. Who in their right mind would buy Titanium hardware unless you stole them from work ? I personally use grade 5 bolts and grade 8 washers. It works great for what I work on.
 

sberry

Banned
Joined
Jun 18, 2005
Messages
35,747
Location
Brethren, Michigan
I wouldn't mind getting a box of machine washers in the common sizes. There are special apps where they work well. The stuff from Tsc varies, its ok and what I use. A 3/8 will go in to a 5/16 fender washer and used that way on occasion.
 

Ironhorse74

MEMBER EMERITUS
Joined
Nov 10, 2014
Messages
998
Location
The Pacific North Wet
What is the hardness spec for grade 8?

How does hardness effect the application of a fastener?

Where do you buy non Chinese fasteners?

What size grade 8 bolt? SAE J429 specifies hardness dependent upon diameter. Notch sensitivity increases as hardness increases.

Did I pass materials 101? It has been 39 years since I took it.
 

Reducto

Well-known member
Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
53
Location
S.W. PA
I don't think the OP is looking to build a space shuttle , he just wanted to have a stash of thicker washers. TSC grade 8 washers will do fine for most home project's. Who in their right mind would buy Titanium hardware unless you stole them from work ? I personally use grade 5 bolts and grade 8 washers. It works great for what I work on.

I agree completely. I grabbed a small pile of each size of those TSC grade 8 washers for my fastener box and never had an issue. Having all of the sizes at the house has saved my **** a few times and saved me a trip to wherever for a 10 cent washer. I would rather put my "Titanium" money into better tools.
 

bob15

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 8, 2011
Messages
6,863
Location
Northeasten, CT
What is the hardness spec for grade 8?

How does hardness effect the application of a fastener?

Where do you buy non Chinese fasteners?

Hardness spec for washers: http://webstore.ansi.org/RecordDetail.aspx?sku=ASTM+F436-11&source=LP_Fasteners or https://www.fastenal.com/products/attribute/600097/11;jsessionid=E2C40C3825FED59B05797C82511933CE.jvm3

How does hardness effect the application: too soft a washer, the bolt will or could gouge it.

Everything you want to know about washers: http://www.wroughtwasher.com/assets/files/FactsAboutWashers.pdf

US/Canada made fasteners (very easy):

McMaster Carr (grade 8 and some grade 5)

MSC (choose "made in USA")
 

owenst7

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Messages
632
Location
Anchorage/Reno
Hardness spec for washers: http://webstore.ansi.org/RecordDetail.aspx?sku=ASTM+F436-11&source=LP_Fasteners or https://www.fastenal.com/products/attribute/600097/11;jsessionid=E2C40C3825FED59B05797C82511933CE.jvm3

How does hardness effect the application: too soft a washer, the bolt will or could gouge it.

Everything you want to know about washers: http://www.wroughtwasher.com/assets/files/FactsAboutWashers.pdf

US/Canada made fasteners (very easy):

McMaster Carr (grade 8 and some grade 5)

MSC (choose "made in USA")

How is grade 8 "too hard"?
 

bob15

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 8, 2011
Messages
6,863
Location
Northeasten, CT
How is grade 8 "too hard"?

You asked for a hardness spec on grade 8 and i gave you info on where to find it. Not if a washer is too hard or soft.

Too hard a washer, maybe if you want the washer to bend over or around something, you don't want a very hard washer. Or if you might have to cut the washer out with a saw at some-point in the future, a softer washer would work better.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom