Bulk bolts?
- Thread starter alex2929
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JamesW84
Well-known member
I went to my local hardware store and stocked some a few months ago. They sell them by the pound. I grabbed close to 10 each of the smaller sizes of bolts in varying lengths, nuts, washers. The bigger sizes are more expensive, so I just got a couple of those. I think it was well over $50.
I put 3 or 4 sizes in each bag, but made them enough of a difference that I could easily tell what they were. Example: 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 in the same bag w/ the sizes written on the bag.
I put 3 or 4 sizes in each bag, but made them enough of a difference that I could easily tell what they were. Example: 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 in the same bag w/ the sizes written on the bag.
firebirdparts
Well-known member
Tractor Supply and maybe Rural King would sell by the pound. I think that is probably a good deal. pricing it per piece is a lot of work. I would assume prepackaged at the big box stores is worst.
"Bolt Bin Kits" might not be a terrible deal. Particularly for smaller stuff, if you need any, I might be willing to go that route. I have more bolts than I need, but my o rings, roll pins, and cotter pins all are from boxed assortments.
"Bolt Bin Kits" might not be a terrible deal. Particularly for smaller stuff, if you need any, I might be willing to go that route. I have more bolts than I need, but my o rings, roll pins, and cotter pins all are from boxed assortments.
FTWingRiders
Well-known member
Here’s my go to..
boltdepot.com
I can’t touch their prices locally. Not even close.
Bolt Depot - Fastener Shopping Made Easy
boltdepot.com
I can’t touch their prices locally. Not even close.
mcj115
Well-known member
What type of hardware are you wanting to buy?
Tractor supply is great for convivence and common ( ungraded) SAE hardware, for general around the house use jobs.
When I want/need better hardware I go to my local farm tractor dealer (Messick's) where the have a great selection of grade 5 and 8 SAE hardware as well as metric graded hardware. It has been a while but if I recall Grade 5 hardware was only ~$1 lb than the common grade hardware at the tractor supply across the street.
The other place where I get hardware at a great price is a local surplus ( hardware?) store. It is a lot of old stock hardware at great prices but the grade and sizes can be hit or miss.
I haven't bought general hardware over the internet yet; I would think the shipping costs would quickly rise vs sourcing it local.
Tractor supply is great for convivence and common ( ungraded) SAE hardware, for general around the house use jobs.
When I want/need better hardware I go to my local farm tractor dealer (Messick's) where the have a great selection of grade 5 and 8 SAE hardware as well as metric graded hardware. It has been a while but if I recall Grade 5 hardware was only ~$1 lb than the common grade hardware at the tractor supply across the street.
The other place where I get hardware at a great price is a local surplus ( hardware?) store. It is a lot of old stock hardware at great prices but the grade and sizes can be hit or miss.
I haven't bought general hardware over the internet yet; I would think the shipping costs would quickly rise vs sourcing it local.
The vast majority of my SAE stock of bulk fasteners came from TSC. Needless to say, you can have a chunk of money ******* buying it, but when it saves you a 7 mile drive for a couple of 5/16" bolts, it's worth it.
FWIW, I stock Grade 5 and some Grade 8.
FWIW, I stock Grade 5 and some Grade 8.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Every Tractor supply has grade 5 and grade 8 bolts? I havent been in one yet that all the hardware is "ungraded"
lolaetype
Well-known member
Farm and ranch supply stores like Blains Farm and Fleet, Atwood's, Mills, Rural King, TSC, etc are good places to buy fasteners in bulk. Priced by the pound, they don't care if it's nuts, bolts or washers, if it's the same grade it's all the same price per pound. Our local Atwoods carries everything from grade 8 on down to grade 2 (no head markings), and a large selection of metric and the specialty stuff you find in the metal drawers and priced by the each or bag. They are also cheaper on things like gate hinges, angle brackets and the like.
We used to have a place in town that blew everybody else away, Shamrock Bolt and Screw. They closed maybe 3 years ago.
We used to have a place in town that blew everybody else away, Shamrock Bolt and Screw. They closed maybe 3 years ago.
tros
Well-known member
I go to Family Farm they sell by weight
Trying to cover all your bolt needs is an expensive effort in frustration. First determine what your actual needs are, do you mostly work with Imperial or metric fasteners? What sizes do you mostly work with? Classic American cars have different requirements than a Toyota.
Start with some of the basic sizes that you used in the last few months and go from there. Say you have classic muscle cars, 1/4-20, 5/16-18 and 3/8-16 in 1/2"to 1-1/2" in length. Every time that you need more than a few of something that you don't have on hand buy a box or pound and add it to your supply. Don't bother trying to have more specialized bolts (high strength suspension bolts come to mind) unless you use a lot of them.
The same goes for metric, M6, M8, M10, M12 in 10mm to 30mm in lengths leaning to shorter lengths for smaller diameter and longer lengths for larger diameter.
The company that I retired from is one of the largest in the world. I was in charge of the bolt bin for the company R&D facility for their factories around the world, I could ID a bolt from 10ft after a while (can't see now so I am down to having to hold it). I had at least a dozen big Vidmar cabinets filled with fasteners of all kinds.
Start with some of the basic sizes that you used in the last few months and go from there. Say you have classic muscle cars, 1/4-20, 5/16-18 and 3/8-16 in 1/2"to 1-1/2" in length. Every time that you need more than a few of something that you don't have on hand buy a box or pound and add it to your supply. Don't bother trying to have more specialized bolts (high strength suspension bolts come to mind) unless you use a lot of them.
The same goes for metric, M6, M8, M10, M12 in 10mm to 30mm in lengths leaning to shorter lengths for smaller diameter and longer lengths for larger diameter.
The company that I retired from is one of the largest in the world. I was in charge of the bolt bin for the company R&D facility for their factories around the world, I could ID a bolt from 10ft after a while (can't see now so I am down to having to hold it). I had at least a dozen big Vidmar cabinets filled with fasteners of all kinds.
May Pop
Well-known member
Blains Farm and Fleet
in the midwest
in the midwest
fourjeepin
Well-known member
My initial stock (and bins) came from a Home Depot that was closing. $800 For everything. Restock is usually Tractor Supply
nadogail
Well-known member
My preferred supplier closed their doors. Most recently i purchased some Tee Nuts, Cap Screws and washers from Amazon. The convenience of On Line ordering and delivery to my door step greatly offsets the cost of going to the store.
For this particular job i was not concerned about "Cradle to Grave" traceability; I was building a hand cart, not a submarine or space shuttle.
For this particular job i was not concerned about "Cradle to Grave" traceability; I was building a hand cart, not a submarine or space shuttle.