Different bolts

[Scottishross]

I'm planning on buying nuts, bolts and washers for stock in my garage

Is there a list of common sizes or do u just buy what u need

A know there's metric sizes and imperial sizes but that's it plus a also know there's **** loads of different kinds

 

[RedRabbit]

Well what do you normally work on. What cars or vehicles do you maintain?

 

[Scottishross]

A work on the odd car and the odd job about the house plus the odd see project building something

It's not much info

 

[Scottishross]

Hope Sam doesn't mind stole his pic
There's all theses storage boxes with nuts and bolts washers clips and stuff I'm wanting do something like that but not sure of sizes or stuff

 

[Leoruiz]

Unless you build stuff I only recommend small kits with internal-external snap rings, O-rings, roll-solid pins, cotter pins,e-clips, keys for keyways, set screws etc.Mostly stuff that gets destroyed in dis-assembly or goes flying and can't be found.
A good smaller spring assortment kit comes to mind as well.All types.

OTOH if you build things go BALLS OUT and do trays with metric and standard from maybe 3/16-4mm to about 5/8 or 15mm.
Grade Five. 1/2 to 2 1/2 long. nuts, washers, lock washers,fender washers.It's really not much money; but does take up space.I usually get black because car and machinery stuff generally winds up painted.
A boat mechanic would tremble at the thought.The equivalent in stainless is triple or quadruple.I have that too. It won't spoil.

 

[Scottishross]

I am building a kit car ha ha so that's the reason I'm exploring different things

 

[gungatim]

I keep stock of everything from #6 through 3/4" in SAE, washers, lock, etc. all in bins. Metric is not complete, but stock the common bolts size that uses 10mm nuts, forget exactly what size it is but those are extremely common.

I also stock a few fine thread that are common, 1/4, 5/16 3/8 mostly, but I work on British stuff a lot.

not a great picture but 1/4 is red, 5/16 is yellow, like the nutdrivers, metric on top, large on the bottom, all the little stuff is in separate area.

I buy bulk bags at menards of the common high use sizes, 1/4-20, 5/16-18, etc. metrics I just always buy a couple extra when I need something so I have them but don't keep every size in stock...slowly building them up though.

 

[Richard Cranium]

or you could just buy a hardware store.

 

[PelicanPines]

Also be careful with the TYPE of metal the fastners are. I have galvanized, steel, STAINLESS, brass, aluminum etc... Don't mix the metals in use or in common storage boxes.

 

[PelicanPines]

or you could just buy a hardware store.

HOLY ****... i have 30 of those 5 drawer things... my local ACE was throwing them out.

 

[Scottishross]

or you could just buy a hardware store.

a like that idea

Sadly it's not going to happen

 

[larry_g]

If your building a kit car I would suggest that you determine if it comes with metric or SAE hardware, or what it is sized for. Start with that. For me I work mainly on SAE equipment si I have on hand 1/4" to 1/2" with some larger that fit specific equipment. If I need metric **** then I get that as required. There are 10,000 different pieces you could stock and still have to run out for something. If you don't know what you need then keep track of what you have to go buy and then start stocking extras of what your buying most.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[flat tire]

if I was to replace every nut, bolt, flat , lock and star washer I have I believe I would have over $10,000.00 invested
I have #2 up to 1 1/8" and the hardware to go with them

 

[OJ Bartley]

I was going to suggest that some places carry "assorted" kits of nuts and bolts to get you started, but it seems like your projects are mainly kit-car centered, so I have no idea what you might need.

Most of my projects have been wood, so I just buy a few packs of screws when needed and keep piling up the extras.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I got mine from a ace hardware store that was moving and Hillman set them up with all new. So they sold me the ones that I wanted for 5.00 each and guaranteed them to be 80 percent full, then if you bought enough small boxes to fill the metal unit he gave them to you. I spent a little over 400.00 with him. I also got the brown bolt box for 50.00 stocked with bolt (bottom left corner).

 

[Scottishross]

Any pics

 

[theoldwizard1]

A lot depends on what kind of projects you work on. Even though all light duty vehicles sold in the US have been metric for 10-20 years, I don't stock any metric fasteners. I started with 50 each of USS (coarse) and SAE (fine) nuts, washers and lock washers from 1/4' to 1/2". No bolts, because I just don't have the room to store them.

I do have a mixture of 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" stainless for boat projects and for outdoor equipment.

The last couple of years I have been building my collection downward. #12, #10, #8 and #6. Started again with 50 nuts, washer and lock washer in each size, but I have added a few machine screw and sheet metal screws in a couple of length, in #6, #8, #10 and #12.

Also buy yourself a 100 pack of hollow wall anchors in size #6-8 and #10-12. Red Head Poly Set Anchors in size #10-12 are great in block walls, concrete, etc. If you can find them, buy them without screws. I always seem to need longer screws or stainless (bolted a laundry tub to the floor).

I am lucky that I have a "real" fastener store close by that will sell me any quantity. If I go there for 5-10 whatever, I try to buy a whole box (25, 50, 100).

You can find some decent deals on eBay, including FREE shipping, if you buy a sufficient dollar amount ($50-$100). On the 1/4" and up, make certain that they are grade 5 ! Below grade 5 is junk and above grade 5 is really only needed in a few applications.

 

[Scottishross]

A lot depends on what kind of projects you work on. Even though all light duty vehicles sold in the US have been metric for 10-20 years, I don't stock any metric fasteners. I started with 50 each of USS (coarse) and SAE (fine) nuts, washers and lock washers from 1/4' to 1/2". No bolts, because I just don't have the room to store them.

I do have a mixture of 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" stainless for boat projects and for outdoor equipment.

The last couple of years I have been building my collection downward. #12, #10, #8 and #6. Started again with 50 nuts, washer and lock washer in each size, but I have added a few machine screw and sheet metal screws in a couple of length, in #6, #8, #10 and #12.

Also buy yourself a 100 pack of hollow wall anchors in size #6-8 and #10-12. Red Head Poly Set Anchors in size #10-12 are great in block walls, concrete, etc. If you can find them, buy them without screws. I always seem to need longer screws or stainless (bolted a laundry tub to the floor).

I am lucky that I have a "real" fastener store close by that will sell me any quantity. If I go there for 5-10 whatever, I try to buy a whole box (25, 50, 100).

You can find some decent deals on eBay, including FREE shipping, if you buy a sufficient dollar amount ($50-$100). On the 1/4" and up, make certain that they are grade 5 ! Below grade 5 is junk and above grade 5 is really only needed in a few applications.

Any chance could u list mate

 

[srmofo]

Any chance could u list mate

Quit being lazy and make a list yourself. Plenty of people have given you the common sizes already.

There is no magic size, especially when you don't even know what you are working on.

 

[Scottishross]

I was being lazy

Thanks for all the info

 

[APEowner]

What I do is, whenever I need a fastener I buy a full box of quality fasteners from an industrial supply house instead of a two pack from a big box store.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I buy mostly as I need but sizes/types I think I may use in the future I'll buy a larger quantity than what I need.
Nuts, washers, lockwashers No. 8 up through 1/2" I buy whole boxes. Screws and bolts in those same diameters lengths up to 2" I buy Packages of 50-100.
Sizes 1/4 and up I usually buy by the pound (Grade 5 and Grade 8). If there is a sale I'll stock up on lengths 1", 1.5", 2".
Metric I try and keep some M6, M8 and M10 on hand. Usually if you're using a bolt and nut you can get by with either SAE of Metric.

 

[crewchief888]

i dont keep much stock, a few assorted nuts, washers, & bolts in the common sizes i use, mainly 1/4" & 3/8".

when i do buy hardware, i get more than i think i need, and have built up a small assortment.

most of the stuff i have was scrap/old inventory that was being tossed out, i loaded up 3 or 4 5 gal buckets, and sorted it out.

 

[bobcatdan]

I'm working on getting quotes right now from a number of local mom and pop suppliers for hardware assortments. I'm planning on over time having 72 bin assortments of SAE and metric. 40 bin assortments of grade 8 and 10.9 metric. From there kits of other stuff. Plan is to eventually have 99% of everything I could ever need in common hardware. Sick and tired of having to run to the store for six ******* washers. I'm sure I'm going to over buy a ton of stuff that one day will be on my auction, but at least I should have what I need while I'm around.

 

[wssix99]

You must be younger in age. As the years go on, you won't have this problem. BTW - This is also the very very expensive way to come about getting a stock of hardware.

Step 1:
Just get a bunch of nice, empty bins and organizers.

Step 2:
Collect

By the time you have hair in your arm pits, you'll have so many loose screws and nuts that you won't know what to do with them.

 

[Scottishross]

You must be younger in age. As the years go on, you won't have this problem. BTW - This is also the very very expensive way to come about getting a stock of hardware.

Step 1:
Just get a bunch of nice, empty bins and organizers.

Step 2:
Collect

By the time you have hair in your arm pits, you'll have so many loose screws and nuts that you won't know what to do with them.

What age do u think I am ha ha

 

[wssix99]

What age do u think I am ha ha

I don't know, but I've had more hardware than I could deal with since I was in high school.

Sometimes I throw/recycle some away just to prove to myself that I'm not a hoarder.

If you really want to collect some odd stuff, I'd track down newly opened big Orange and Blue stores. There will be small neighborhood hardware stores closing soon after where you can get great deals on materials and bins.

 

[Rickster55]

You can have a ton of bolts, nuts, and washers but come time to need a specific size, a trip to the hardware store is almost a certainty.

 

[BlueBomber]

Go to estate sales and buy dead guys' collections of leftover fasteners. One the one hand, you'll get a lifetime collection for pennies on the dollar. On the other hand, you'll have to sort them I some easy for them to be useful.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Are you in Scotland where everything is metric or imperial?? If so, many of the suggestions may sound rather foreign to you... Best to keep the USS-SAE nuts on this side of the pond if you have no use for them..

I am gradually building a metric assortment of fine and course hardware.. I bought a kit that consists of a steel Durham 16 compartment box of fine thread metric bolts and nuts.. But that is money wasted when you have 50 bolts of one size sitting there for years, and never used... If you can find a place that sells bolts by the pound (KG??) I would go there and buy 5 or 10 of each of the sizes that you will most likely need.. You will cover a larger size range for far less money..

 

[Lippyp]

These guys are good, I've bought a load of fasteners from them. They do some good bulk mixed packs, I have their UNC and UNF bags for my American vehicles and keep meaning to buy a bag or two of metric as well. I live out in the sticks and its a pain in the **** having a project stall for want of a nut and bolt when its an hour round trip to the nearest decent engineering suppliers. You can also buy sizes individually.


http://www.namrick.co.uk/acatalog/Home_Mixed_Packs__48.html

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Go to estate sales and buy dead guys' collections of leftover fasteners. One the one hand, you'll get a lifetime collection for pennies on the dollar. On the other hand, you'll have to sort them I some easy for them to be useful.

Dang it anyway,, when I kick the bucket, I'll have to leave it to you in my will..

It will be full of bolts, so I might be yelling a few choice words on the way out.. Just wondering, if I can't kick the bucket over, do I stick around and hobble on a sore foot..??

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I'm working on getting quotes right now from a number of local mom and pop suppliers for hardware assortments. I'm planning on over time having 72 bin assortments of SAE and metric. 40 bin assortments of grade 8 and 10.9 metric. From there kits of other stuff. Plan is to eventually have 99% of everything I could ever need in common hardware. Sick and tired of having to run to the store for six ******* washers. I'm sure I'm going to over buy a ton of stuff that one day will be on my auction, but at least I should have what I need while I'm around.

Dan those Durham 72 compartment bins are nice for a shop with a volume of product turnover, but have you considered the Durham drawer (tray) system.. ? The winning deal with the drawers is they are easy take with on a service call..
There are variations in the compartments of those drawers that can suit any common need.. I was going to get the 72 compartment bins to replace my ancient 27 drawer letter cabinet, and 20 plano plastic drawer racks that have 18little drawers each. Once I bought a Drawer assortment of Metrics from Imperial Supply (Wisconsin based, worth checking out) the yearn to buy the bin setup faded.. I worked around those Durham style compartment drawers for years in the dealerships, along with the bins... I am thinking for a One Horse Shop, the compartment drawers would be far more convenient.. I am now wishing that I had bought a full set years ago..

 

[RobSmith]

If your building a car Grade 8 should be your minimum standard.