Building fastener inventory?

[wfochris]

These are 14.99 at harbor freight, and with my 20% off coupon collection, I can get them for a whopping $12.

I'd like to build a decent inventory of metric fasteners (basically just varying sizes/lengths of bolts and nuts) since they always come in handy. Maybe allen/socket cap as well.

Should I just start cleaning out the bins a little at a time from lowes, or is there a better way?

Ready, set, go

 

[UncleJoe]

Google is your shopping friend. Lots of places on line have a better selection and better prices than the local Lowes or Home Depot. Watch for shipping but you should be able to get exactly what you want. Some online places have reasonable assortment packs also

 

[dansmurf]

Whenever I stop at Lowe's I always stop and check out the clearance area. Also if I need a bolt other small part I buy a bulk pack if available.

 

[klhitman]

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/fasteners/ecatalog/N-bi6

 

[klhitman]

if they don't have it they can source it. drive trough local industrial parks and look for fastener company's. they usually have them cheaper than lowes and they have the odd ball stuff. we use American fastener a lot or snider bolt(don't know if they are local or national).

 

[Rickster55]

I get the bulk of mine from garage sales. My major score was below. $35 for 4 trays full of just about everything.

 

[JC23]

Check locally. There's a place by me that sells 'em by the pound. Figure out waht you wanna stock and start buying when you have the extra $.

 

[BUGTHUG]

Check some of your local farm stores, they sell by the # and sometimes have sales on bulk buy.
Sometimes you can go to farm auctions and the old farmer usually have a good selection of common nuts and bolts. Most of the time its standard size, but sometimes they will have some metric. Make sure you label your bins for the differnce, I can eyeball if something is level, but still have a hard time telling the differnce between metric and standard.

 

[tatra]

started stocking years ago.....came to the realization that unless you are in business , the reason you pay retail is for them to stock it for you when you need it...........trust me, go to a friends palce that has everything, ask him how long he's had it for and when the last time was he needed what he had percentage wise...........and if it could've waited till the next day...........and most importantly, if he could find it when needed..........fasteners i have ready access to and still get lost looking for the one i need.........business have people to stock and maintain for a reason..........time is money and yours is invaluable...........and no matter what you have on hand, chances are it's too short or will need to be washered.......damhikt...........

 

[Jeff]

If you're patient use Amazon. It takes a bit to search through all the fasteners but worth it.

Below is an order I placed in November. That was my 5th fastener order during the year.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td colspan="1" valign="top">2 of: Zinc Plated Steel Carriage Bolt, Oval Head, 5/16"-18, 9" Length (Pack of 5)
</td><td colspan="2" align="right" valign="top">$1.16
</td> </tr> <tr> <input name="originalQuantity.kmnhrulsopqoy" value="2" type="hidden"> <td colspan="1" valign="top"> 2 of: Brass Hex Bolt, 1/4"-20, 1-1/2" Length (Pack of 5)
</td><td colspan="2" align="right" valign="top">$0.86
</td> </tr> <tr> <input name="originalQuantity.kmnhrulsoqooy" value="2" type="hidden"> <td colspan="1" valign="top"> 2 of: Stainless Steel 316 Hex Bolt, 5/16"-18, 3-1/2" Length (Pack of 5)
</td><td colspan="2" align="right" valign="top">$1.21
</td> </tr> <tr> <input name="originalQuantity.kmnhrulsoqsoy" value="2" type="hidden"> <td colspan="1" valign="top"> 2 of: Grade 9 Yellow Chromate Alloy Steel Hex Bolt, 1/2"-20, 4" Length (Pack of 5)
</td><td colspan="2" align="right" valign="top">$0.82
</td> </tr> <tr> <input name="originalQuantity.kmnhrulsomooy" value="1" type="hidden"> <td colspan="1" valign="top"> 1 of: Polypropylene Ball, Grade II, 3/8" (Pack of 25)
</td> <td colspan="2" align="right" valign="top"> $2.12
</td> </tr> <tr> <input name="originalQuantity.kmnhrulsonmoy" value="2" type="hidden"> <td colspan="1" valign="top"> 2 of: Grade 8 Yellow Chromate Alloy Steel Hex Bolt, 7/16"-20, 4" Length (Pack of 5)
</td><td colspan="2" align="right" valign="top">$0.80
</td> </tr> <tr> <input name="originalQuantity.kmnhrulsomsoy" value="1" type="hidden"> <td colspan="1" valign="top"> 1 of: Stainless Steel Machine Screw, Flat Head, Slotted Drive, #10-32, 1-1/2" Length (Pack of 100)
</td><td colspan="2" align="right" valign="top">$0.69
</td> </tr> <tr> <input name="originalQuantity.kmnhrulsookoy" value="2" type="hidden"> <td colspan="1" valign="top"> 2 of: Grade 8 Yellow Chromate Alloy Steel Hex Bolt, 1/4"-20, 3-1/2" Length (Pack of 5)
</td><td colspan="2" align="right" valign="top">$1.68
</td> </tr> <tr> <input name="originalQuantity.kmnhrulsonqoy" value="2" type="hidden"> <td colspan="1" valign="top"> 2 of: Grade 8 Yellow Chromate Alloy Steel Hex Bolt, 5/16"-24, 5" Length (Pack of 5)
</td><td colspan="2" align="right" valign="top">$1.31
</td> </tr> <tr> <input name="originalQuantity.kmnhrulsooooy" value="1" type="hidden"> <td colspan="1" valign="top"> 1 of: Chrome Plated Alloy Steel Socket Cap Screw, Hex Socket Drive, 3/8"-16, 1-1/4" Length (Pack of 10)
</td><td colspan="2" align="right" valign="top">$2.08
</td> </tr> <tr> <input name="originalQuantity.kmnhrulsopmoy" value="2" type="hidden"> <td colspan="1" valign="top"> 2 of: Zinc Plated Steel Lag Bolt, Hex Head, 1/2", 3" Length (Pack of 5)
</td><td colspan="2" align="right" valign="top">$1.01
</td> </tr> <tr> <input name="originalQuantity.kmnhrulsoosoy" value="2" type="hidden"> <td colspan="1" valign="top"> 2 of: Chrome Plated Alloy Steel Socket Cap Screw, Hex Socket Drive, 5/16"-18, 4-1/2" Length (Pack of 5)
</td><td colspan="2" align="right" valign="top">$1.58</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[danski0224]

started stocking years ago.....came to the realization that unless you are in business , the reason you pay retail is for them to stock it for you when you need it...........trust me, go to a friends palce that has everything, ask him how long he's had it for and when the last time was he needed what he had percentage wise...........and if it could've waited till the next day...........and most importantly, if he could find it when needed..........fasteners i have ready access to and still get lost looking for the one i need.........business have people to stock and maintain for a reason..........time is money and yours is invaluable...........and no matter what you have on hand, chances are it's too short or will need to be washered.......damhikt...........

+1

What is the point of stocking nuts and bolts?

I was in a power plant that had a hardware wall that would make most men drool, but that selection is justified. Think two rows of bins over 10 feet long and 8 feet high. Full.

I could understand if someone was basically operating a major fabrication or repair operation from their shop/garage... but a hobbyist or homeowner?

I was given 2 boxes of various screws (mostly machine screws) that had to weigh at least 40# each. Moved them around for years. Finally pitched them.

ACE Hardware has a really big selection of stuff.

The big boxes have a bit, and Menards has better pricing on the common bulk nuts and bolts. Made in China, just like the stuff elsewhere. Grade 2, 5 and 8.

McMaster Carr has an unbelievable selection of stuff, and it arrives within 2 days.

Do I keep oddball leftovers of specialty construction fasteners or Unistrut hardware? Yup. I find nails and deck screws far more useful.

Unless someone gave me something already stocked and sorted, there is no way I would waste my time with machine type screws.

If you have your heart set on stocking stuff, I would check out McFeely's or just about anywhere but the big boxes. Someone has an assortment already made.

 

[Jeff]

I forgot to mention...be careful of those plastic drawer cabinets. They will bow under weight. I bought 2 very nice (or so I thought) Acro Mils plastic drawer cabinets. They started bowing like crazy. I even added 1/4" plywood to the back frame to help but it didn't work. I ended up giving them to someone I didn't like very much and bought the metal Akro Mils cabinets.

 

[zsuperbee]

They are local to me

http://www.boltdepot.com/default.aspx

 

[Stephenw]

The Durham containers are reasonably priced and more durable than those plastic containers. Enco periodically has them on sale.

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=966&PARTPG=INLMK3&PMITEM=891-4036

Buy hardware by the pound from farm and ranch stores.

It's good to maintain a stock of common hardware in your home shop so you don't have to run to the hardware store in the middle of a project.

The little bags containing a couple of nuts or bolts are way overpriced, not to mention your time and gas to run and get them.

 

[THEFIX]

I purchased a bin set almost identical to what you show at HF, I used a combination of farm supply stores and big box stores to fill it. I've used Fastenal and places like that to get stuff, sometimes they are better priced, sometimes not. Usually you have to take a large quantity of each item though.

Like mentioned above, I don't go to it all that often, but it sure is nice to have that assortment when you really need it to save a trip to the store. I would agree with the Sharkin that these will bow if not supported well. I put a small shelf under mine for support and then ran a screw in near the top to keep it from tipping and it has been working great for 8-10 years.

 

[99SVT]

Tractor Supply, in my town, has a great selection of hardware... and they sell it by weight.

And, I disagree on stocking stuff. The town I live in, pretty much everything closes for the weekend at noon on Saturday, so if I don't get it by then, I don't get it till Monday. And, considering I don't have time to get it during the week, having stuff on hand will keep me going, or get me fixed up to finish what I was doing.

Although, I don't have a hardware stash, I plan on putting one together... I've gotten the bins, just need the hardware. Free time is very rare for me, so when I have it, it is taking care of all the stuff that needs to get done that has accumulated.

 

[A29]

+1

What is the point of stocking nuts and bolts?

I was in a power plant that had a hardware wall that would make most men drool, but that selection is justified. Think two rows of bins over 10 feet long and 8 feet high. Full.

I could understand if someone was basically operating a major fabrication or repair operation from their shop/garage... but a hobbyist or homeowner?

I was given 2 boxes of various screws (mostly machine screws) that had to weigh at least 40# each. Moved them around for years. Finally pitched them.

ACE Hardware has a really big selection of stuff.


The big boxes have a bit, and Menards has better pricing on the common bulk nuts and bolts. Made in China, just like the stuff elsewhere. Grade 2, 5 and 8.

McMaster Carr has an unbelievable selection of stuff, and it arrives within 2 days.

Do I keep oddball leftovers of specialty construction fasteners or Unistrut hardware? Yup. I find nails and deck screws far more useful.

Unless someone gave me something already stocked and sorted, there is no way I would waste my time with machine type screws.

If you have your heart set on stocking stuff, I would check out McFeely's or just about anywhere but the big boxes. Someone has an assortment already made.

So you drive to the store every time you need a 1/4" nut?

 

[Mike007]

I just ordered this bin rack with 32 small bins from Northern to store my stock of fasteners. I like the fact that they hang on the wall out of the way. I may end up needing 2 of them. I run a Jeep and constantly work on it fixing stuff. Theres nothing worse then having to stop and run for a $0.09 bolt. Then as Murphy's law dictates, it will be out of stock. Or if I'm working at night having to stop completely because theres nowhere to get a bolt because the stores are closed.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I have several coffee cans full of old nuts and bolts salvaged from various projects, but there's an Ace hardware a half mile from my house that's open seven days a week so I don't go out of my way to stock hardware.

 

[danski0224]

So you drive to the store every time you need a 1/4" nut?

I don't need those very often. I have a few laying around.

 

[930dreamer]

These are 14.99 at harbor freight, and with my 20% off coupon collection, I can get them for a whopping $12.

I'd like to build a decent inventory of metric fasteners (basically just varying sizes/lengths of bolts and nuts) since they always come in handy. Maybe allen/socket cap as well.

Should I just start cleaning out the bins a little at a time from lowes, or is there a better way?

Ready, set, go

I'm helping a friend close a salvage yard, scads of fasteners. I'll try to group everything together for some pics. I plan to add to my collection from this source.

 

[wfochris]

Well, I have a mustang and *cough* several motorcycles (all Japanese).

So a fair assortment of 6mm x () come in REAL handy. And, if I'm mounting an ignition box or something on the detroit car, I don't mind to use metric; much of the hardware on that car that I've run into now is metric anyways. I hate putting old junk fasteners that are corroded and 10 years old back on something when I could just as easily put new.

Being that I work at Toyota, I'll put 'em on kanban or min/max or such so that I can keep minimal inventory but still have what I need when I need it

 

[NWphotog]

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/fasteners/ecatalog/N-bi6

Their assortments are like $3 a bolt!?

 

[Donnda]

I keep a store of bolts, nuts,split washers, flat washers and such. I live 15 out from our small town that shuts down on the weekend and the largest town close to me is 45 miles away. Having an assortment at home is a life saver.
-Donn-

 

[Ign]

If you ever take the time to look at what the hardware stores charge vs what you pay for a bulk pack from a fastener or industrial supply.........well, I just have a hard time paying the HUGE markup on principle alone.

If you only need two or three fasteners, fine. But if you need maybe a dozen 3/8" Gr8 bolts, you'll find that for a couple bucks more you can get a 50pack mail-order.

That said, it is inevitable that no matter what I stock, I need something a touch longer.

Being a machinist I always make up little tools or widgets that use 6-32, 8-32 or 10-32 so stocking machine screws is a real time-saver for me, and very little capital invested in these vs something like 1/2" Gr8

I watch MSC emails for the "fastener frenzy" (35% off all fasteners) and slowly stock up that way. Massive savings over Ace. And Home Depot or Lowes hardware selection is pathetic, I don't even look anymore.

 

[EdT]

I stock some of the more common sizes, but it is not practical to try to stock some of everything just in case. There are just too many sizes and styles. I have found that the industrial supply houses (I like McMaster) are miles cheaper than the big box stores and they have a much broader selection to boot. As a case in point I needed some boxes of carriage bolts and the ones from McMaster were about 1/3 the cost of the ones at HD. Generally, when I order from them it comes the next day and I can't recall ever having a back order. Yes, you pay for shipping and yes you might find it cheaper elsewhere, but how much is your time worth?

 

[rwhite692]

If you're patient use Amazon. It takes a bit to search through all the fasteners but worth it.

Absolutely, In fact, if you google "Amazon Discount Link Generator" you can find several sites that will generate a link which will show you only items in "Tools and Home Improvement" with a discount greater than a certain percentage (say, 80% off). Then when that page comes up, sort on price (low to high) and you will see all kinds of fastener deals.

Many of the most discounted ones are truly "oddball" fasteners (Nylon fillister head screws, anyone?)...BUT mixed in there are some great deals on common fasteners in useful sizes.

On top of all that, if you have the Amazon Prime plan, it ships "free".

 

[tdkkart]

I've spent 25 years buying a handful every time I need a bolt or nut, I still don't have what I need half the time. Now I usually order from Mcmaster and buy 50-100 of whatever I'm buying, unless it's big stuff, but I'll still buy 5 or 10 of each.

 

[junk]

I buy bags or lbs of stuff everytime I buy. My biggest problem is I don't organize it. I live atleast 5 minutes from any nuts & bolt and if it's sunday that turns into 30 minutes. So I like to stock. But mainly 1/2" & under. And I never stock metric accept used fasteners I pull from wrecked cars I'm working on. Most of the time I can keep going.

 

[djb25]

started stocking years ago.....came to the realization that unless you are in business , the reason you pay retail is for them to stock it for you when you need it...........trust me, go to a friends palce that has everything, ask him how long he's had it for and when the last time was he needed what he had percentage wise...........and if it could've waited till the next day...........and most importantly, if he could find it when needed..........fasteners i have ready access to and still get lost looking for the one i need.........business have people to stock and maintain for a reason..........time is money and yours is invaluable...........and no matter what you have on hand, chances are it's too short or will need to be washered.......damhikt...........

No offense, but this makes no sense to me. I suppose this rationale makes sense if you rarely do anything in your garage that requires a fastener, but for me - I can't have enough fasteners on hand. My time is simply too valuable to run to the hardware store every time I need a bolt or a lock washer.

- Damion

 

[nvrenufrm]

I would be lost without a good assortment of fasteners in my garage. Irratating to stop what I'm doing (get cleaned up), to get a common fastener. And when I go to the hardware store, I always buy more then what I am currently in need of. For specialized fasteners, as stated, an internet search is great, and those companies will deliver to your door.

 

[Keep]

There are a couple folks on this forum that sell fasteners. A quick peek in the classifieds will give you the username.

I just watch my local TSC (farm) store. They sell by the pound and when they have a 50% off sale I stock up on various sizes. Its great having stuff on hand when you need it. I hate stopping in the middle of something to go buy some nuts and bolts.


**

Alex71 is the username of one of the sellers of nuts/bolts

**

 

[BigE]

Being that I work at Toyota, I'll put 'em on kanban or min/max or such so that I can keep minimal inventory but still have what I need when I need it

But your takt time will be on the order of years rather than hours or minutes. Inventory is a cardinal sin in the TPS. If you were to truly follow it, you would plan out your projects months in advance and have Fastenal deliver the fastener to you 45 minutes before you need it.

 

[jam0o0]

absolutely don't get this stuff at lowes. it's way more than almost anywhere else i've looked. the only reason to get fasteners at lowes is if you need them RIGHT now.

i'm trying to build my bolt collection. but the sizes i'm usually working with are big, 1/4-3/4". and the body of my vehicles is all metric. so i'd have to store a huge amount for it to be useful. and i'm short on space right now.

 

[wfochris]

But your takt time will be on the order of years rather than hours or minutes. Inventory is a cardinal sin in the TPS. If you were to truly follow it, you would plan out your projects months in advance and have Fastenal deliver the fastener to you 45 minutes before you need it.

That assumes a level production plan (heijunka)- and unfortunately there is much fluctuation in the spec of the vehicle I'm working on (katashiki) and production schedule (keihen). Got to have enough inventory to buffer between operations

And production isn't fixed months out. It just so happens that production planning is my job

 

[crewchief888]

i keep a little hardware around for emergencies. if i'm working on a project i get what i need when i need it, and usually have a few left over.
anytime i strip a truck to part out or scrap, i keep most of the hardware i remove. anytime i'm in the junkyard pulling parts i grab a few extras.

 

[slip knot]

I keep a fairly large set of bins stocked with mostly 1/4 to 5/8 bolts and 1-4in long. all course thread. This is what I find I used/needed the most and thats what I keep on hand.

Grabbing a few extras every time you get hardware will soon point out what you use the most

 

[slammedstepside]

Been looking into the same thing. Last thing I want is to be pushing to get something done, only to find I have to wait until the next day, or whenever I get the time, because I'm short a bolt.

I've been trying to get my hands on an older style steel bolt bin, but they are getting harder and harder to find. Not only that, when I do come across one, the aren't cheap either. When browsing the internet, I came across this site:
http://dixie.hypermart.net/store/index.html
Looks to me like they sell bins along with an assortment of fasteners to fill it. Depending on where you're at it may be worth taking a closer look at; myself, I would like to jump at a deal like this but i'm scared to think what shipping might cost for me.

 

[bmwpower]

There are a couple folks on this forum that sell fasteners. A quick peek in the classifieds will give you the username.

I just watch my local TSC (farm) store. They sell by the pound and when they have a 50% off sale I stock up on various sizes. Its great having stuff on hand when you need it. I hate stopping in the middle of something to go buy some nuts and bolts.


**

Alex71 is the username of one of the sellers of nuts/bolts

**

Alex has nice metal hardware racks, too! (unless he sold them all).

 

[gorilla]

I keep a stock of washers and nuts in common sizes in hand mostly because in bulk at the local industrial supply house they are dirt cheap, when I buy bolts I usually buy a box for the same reason. I refuse to buy hardware from the big box stores because it's too expensive. Ace hardware's bolts are junk and are dangerous to use on anything important.