Fastenal

[chris fresh]

Fastenal? I wasn't aware that any of them operated in such a manner (i.e. closed to the public) - I've been into several, and they're all open to the public.

exactly,i never knew they were so "commercial" only,i strolled in like it was home depo,grabbed a bunch of stuff,paid and was on my way.only thing i had a problem with was when i first went in there,the manager wouldn't up a bag (100 count) for a handfull of bolts,he wanted me to buy the bag.if the bag was open he would sell singles no problem.but none of the other people there ever did that,other guys would crack a bag open no problem and give me what i needed.

the manager there was real crooked,i think part of that was him trying to look good by keeping the numbers up.i still buy almost all of my stainless there,prices are good and they have a huge selection compared to everyone else local.

 

[mikegt4]

Yeah, the easiest way to get yourself a McMaster-Carr catalog is to buy it from someone lucky enough to get one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/McMASTER-CA...83649?pt=BI_Books_Manuals&hash=item3cccf59281

(Not my auction.)

Even the old ones are expensive:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/McMaster-Ca...190?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2e15b28e

I think 118 is the newest catalog...

At work we used to have old, or even new (still in the wrapper) catalogs stacked like cordwood in the mailroom. One day when my boss was throwing his old one out I told him that people would pay relatively big money for it. Of course he didn't believe me until I convinced him to check E-bay. After I picked him up off the floor he decided to take his old one home.

I still have 115, 116 and 117 on my desk.

 

[mrjaw14]

Maybe I misunderstood, but the first page of this thread has several comments about how it's not like home depot where you can walk in and shop. There's other comments like They are like Grainger, you have to have an account, and they won't give you time of day if you walk in off the street. Did I miss something?

According to Fastenal's site they don't have any Armstrong Maxx ratchets at any of their locations close by, so I'm guessing rebuild kits would be a no-go as well. was hoping I had a local Armstrong distributor, but I'm not getting the warm fuzzies

 

[chris fresh]

Maybe I misunderstood, but the first page of this thread has several comments about how it's not like home depot where you can walk in and shop. There's other comments like They are like Grainger, you have to have an account, and they won't give you time of day if you walk in off the street. Did I miss something?

According to Fastenal's site they don't have any Armstrong Maxx ratchets at any of their locations close by, so I'm guessing rebuild kits would be a no-go as well. was hoping I had a local Armstrong distributor, but I'm not getting the warm fuzzies

walk in and ask,ask if you buy the ratchet through them,can it be replaced through them if something were to happen to it.worse they can say is GTFO!,but seriously,it's worth a shot.plus if you start doin a little cash business there,it will end up like me buying whatever i want through them with the discount.and no account.

 

[kythri]

Maybe I misunderstood, but the first page of this thread has several comments about how it's not like home depot where you can walk in and shop. There's other comments like They are like Grainger, you have to have an account, and they won't give you time of day if you walk in off the street. Did I miss something?

According to Fastenal's site they don't have any Armstrong Maxx ratchets at any of their locations close by, so I'm guessing rebuild kits would be a no-go as well. was hoping I had a local Armstrong distributor, but I'm not getting the warm fuzzies

I have yet to walk into a Fastenal that didn't allow walk-in customers or kept the majority of stuff "behind the counter".

5 different Fastenals in the local area that I've been to have the smallest of counters to house a couple of PC/cash register units, and the rest of the floor space is their stock.

You can walk in, wander around and shop.

When Fastenal first opened in this area, they didn't like to break open the 50ct or 100ct bags/boxes of fasteners, which is why I stayed away, and dealt with a couple other businesses that sold smaller counts of stuff.

About a year ago, I needed some fasteners that were apparently in short supply or high demand, and had to travel to 4 different Fastenals to obtain all that I needed - they had no issue at this point about small quantities or opening the larger bags/boxes the two times that required it. Since then, they've been the same - no issue when I needed smaller quantities.

I don't recall seeing any Armstrong tools on the shelf, but have seen Craftsman and GearWrench. The online catalog shows Armstrong (including the Maxx line).

Your best bet would be to stop in and chat with them about it - see if they carry the ratchet you want, or can order it, and if there's any warranty issues, if they will handle them.