Fastener Assortments

[InsanePyro]

Is there anyway to get a good at home fastener assortment for not a bat **** crazy amount of cash? Or do you kinda just have to **** it up at some point?

To clarify: I'm not looking for storage tips, but where to buy from without spending a million

 

[The Cobbler]

what sort of fasteners?
I would start by buying common stuff and add to it along the way .

 

[southalabama]

Buy commons at tractor supply or places that sell by the pound. Fill in as needed. Anytime you buy a ready made assortment you’ll get a lot of filler.

 

[micromind]

I think you're better off buying some sort of a plastic container with dividers and flailing it up with stuff you might need.

From what I've seen the pre-filled ones use the chintziest hardware ever. The Phillips screws will cam out even if you drill a pilot hole or they'll break off just before they are tight, the brad nails will bend if you so much as look at them, the machine screws may or mat not fit the nuts, etc.

There's a reason they don't cost much............

 

[iagsxr]

Is there anyway to get a good at home fastener assortment for not a bat **** crazy amount of cash? Or do you kinda just have to **** it up at some point?

If I lived where you live the first thing I would do is hit up Advanced Fastening Supply. They seem a little construction oriented but I doubt you need anything they can't accommodate.

https://advancedfastening.com/

 

[southalabama]

These guys sponsoring a lot of the youtubers

BoltsandNuts.com - Quality Fasteners, Delivered!

Buy and Shop Wholesale Fasteners by Piece, Package, & Bulk Quantities! Free Shipping on Orders over $25, No Order Minimums! Thank you for visiting BoltsandNuts.com.

boltsandnuts.com

 

[danielbuck]

if you're going to have lots of sizes of bolts, 2 grades, 2 thread pitches, partially and fully threaded, and maybe even a few types of head styles.... it's going to cost you.

I would first narrow down what type, strength, coating of bolts you want, and maybe get a small assortment. I started out with a small assortment, but now I just buy bags of each size as I need them to replenish or add to my stash. Hardware does add up. I find myself using grade 8 bolts for almost everything, because it keeps me from having to keep and organize multiples of the exact same size and thread bolts in 2 grades. More and more, I also find myself only wanting fine threads, unless I have to use a corse thread because the bolt needs to thread into an existing part that is already threaded. but I still keep a full selection of corse and fine. I just go with yellow zinc coating for almost all of it.

Longer bolts can always be cut down, and regular partially threaded bolts usually have plenty of threads left after shortening a bit, even if they aren't fully threaded.

 

[u2slow]

I started by sorting the mixed pile of stuff i had.

Then every time you go to the store for more, buy extra, double, or a whole package. Soon you have a good collection of the stuff you actually use regularly.

 

[tarmy]

When you need stuff just buy a box or some amount more than you need. It builds up, trust me.

 

[Sumboodie]

Us bolts had a 50% sale recently. I bought a 1200ish piece SAE grade 8 and 1200ish piece metric 10.9 for under $200.

 

[Dig Doug]

Build your kits like said above. Come up with a storage plan
or
get some assorted boxes - buy a bunch of them so they all match

Then buy bolts screws nuts washers as needed just buy a few extra if you need 2 or 3 buy 12 or 15

 

[Dig Doug]

I have found that you can buy say a 3inch bolt that’s threaded the full length and if you only need an 1 1/4 you can cut it down to fit

I use my M12 band saw to cut to length, then clean up the threads

 

[cvairwerks]

If you chose to build up your stock piecemeal, buy everything in box lots when you hit the store. I'm building up my AN/MS hardware stock by buying in bulk when I can. If I need a dozen of something, then I will order 25 of them. Need more, then I order the next larger bulk size, and stock the rest.

 

[InsanePyro]

Us bolts had a 50% sale recently. I bought a 1200ish piece SAE grade 8 and 1200ish piece metric 10.9 for under $200.

Now that would of been nice. Dead on for what I would of wanted

These guys sponsoring a lot of the youtubers

BoltsandNuts.com - Quality Fasteners, Delivered!

Buy and Shop Wholesale Fasteners by Piece, Package, & Bulk Quantities! Free Shipping on Orders over $25, No Order Minimums! Thank you for visiting BoltsandNuts.com.

boltsandnuts.com

Yeah, nice place if you ain't paying

 

[PelicanPines]

Buy duct tape in bulk... solves most fastening issues.

 

[bwringer]

So do you want house stuff, airplane stuff, old car stuff, new car stuff, American, British, or metric motorcycle stuff, or what? Inch or metric? Farming? With American, Euro, or Asian machines?

Makes a big difference.

I have an extensive collection of metric (JIS to be precise) stuff for Japanese motorcycles old and new. Much of this overlaps with the stuff needed for the Japanese brand cars I use when forced to drive.

Most of this was acquired as needed; if I needed one or two, I bought a box from McMaster-Carr or maybe Bolt Depot, then built up a collection of of drawer bins.

Inch **** has a separate drawer in an old toolbox. I don't need it much. I kinda hate working on house stuff and lawn mowers, and besides it's easy to walk into any hardware or home store and find all the inch **** you need. For some damfool reason, it's still stupidly difficult to find metric stuff even though it's almost 2024 and cars have all been metric for decades, and finding JIS stuff locally can be even more difficult.

The appropriate strategy and base assortments will vary wildly depending on what the heck you do and enjoy.

For motorcycles and cars, you can start with pretty decent assortments for not much money at any auto parts or moto shoppe.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

Just like others I always buy in bulk. Local hardware store gives you 20% off when you buy a box. I only buy what I need as I need it, so over the years it’s evolved into a damn full array off almost every size and in most head configurations. The key is to have an organized storage system. Ideally something that’s flexible. Every time you think you got it fully organized and have every fastener you need, you will find yourself purchasing another style! So I like using these Schaller boxes and storing it all in my Lista cabinets so I can move things around as needed or take the fasteners to the project. I gave up on using the plastic cases others have used above as they took up way too much space.

My other advice is after a while you will realize what sizes are most common, so it makes sense to buy full sets of those in various head styles and lengths when you see a good sale. Ie ¼-20 5/16-18 and m3 m4 and m5. For example I only have one small box of ¼-28 hardware as I almost never come across it.

 

[rdoty]

My go to places for bulk (and specialty) fasteners are Tractor Supply, Boltdepot.com, and Amazon.

 

[Monza Harry]

I would recommend checking out your local and national industrial suppliers, as many have maintenance programs with their clients, likely outside your needs, but you may be able set up some sort of agreement with them. I'm thinking Wurth, Lawson, Fastenal, etc.

Würth Tools Official Store | Professional Grade Tools

Würth Tools Official Store | Professional Grade Tools at Affordable Prices

wurthtool.com

https://www.lawsonproducts.com/Fasteners/Bolts/FS100.lpc

https://www.fastenal.com/product/Fasteners

They have what is referred to as "managed inventory programs".
I hope some of these ideas [mine and/or the others excellent suggestions] get you where you want to be in a timely manner. All it takes is time & $! Harry

 

[Sumboodie]

Us bolts had a 50% sale recently. I bought a 1200ish piece SAE grade 8 and 1200ish piece metric 10.9 for under $200.

Fastener-Only Kits

Click to see our hardware and fastener only assortments and kits. These assortments can be used to refill previous kits purchased from us, or if you already have your own storage they're ready to go! Great assortments in Grade 8 fine and coarse thread, Grade 5 coarse, Metric 8.8 and 10.9, and...

usboltkits.com

20% off now, but still a good price...

 

[InsanePyro]

So do you want house stuff, airplane stuff, old car stuff, new car stuff, American, British, or metric motorcycle stuff, or what? Inch or metric? Farming? With American, Euro, or Asian machines?

Late 80s, early 90's Ford trucks...so I get both, though metric are usually limited to small bolts. SAE can be all over though.

 

[scooby074]

I have a local hardware store that sells by the piece. I just add as needed. If I find I need a specific size, Ill get a dozen of that size instead of 1. Then Ill put it in my tilt bins.

The common sizes I bought in groups at one time, 1/4-20 x 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 " for example. You know youll always need those common sizes

 

[Sumboodie]

I have found that you can buy say a 3inch bolt that’s threaded the full length and if you only need an 1 1/4 you can cut it down to fit

I use my M12 band saw to cut to length, then clean up the threads

Yeah and the end rusts. Plus the time, and a 3" bolt costs what 2 or 3 1.25" bolts cost.

 

[Sumboodie]

Fastener-Only Kits

Click to see our hardware and fastener only assortments and kits. These assortments can be used to refill previous kits purchased from us, or if you already have your own storage they're ready to go! Great assortments in Grade 8 fine and coarse thread, Grade 5 coarse, Metric 8.8 and 10.9, and...

usboltkits.com

20% off now, but still a good price...

And BTW I announced it on the deals thread, so shouldn't be anyone going.... "ahhhhhhh"

 

[Sumboodie]

Just like others I always buy in bulk. Local hardware store gives you 20% off when you buy a box. I only buy what I need as I need it, so over the years it’s evolved into a damn full array off almost every size and in most head configurations. The key is to have an organized storage system. Ideally something that’s flexible. Every time you think you got it fully organized and have every fastener you need, you will find yourself purchasing another style! So I like using these Schaller boxes and storing it all in my Lista cabinets so I can move things around as needed or take the fasteners to the project. I gave up on using the plastic cases others have used above as they took up way too much space.

My other advice is after a while you will realize what sizes are most common, so it makes sense to buy full sets of those in various head styles and lengths when you see a good sale. Ie ¼-20 5/16-18 and m3 m4 and m5. For example I only have one small box of ¼-28 hardware as I almost never come across it.

I hate "lock" washers. I toss them whenever I find them. They are absolutely useless.

 

[drmarkr]

1. Get some decent storage set up
2. Sort everything you have....so you actually know what you have.
3. Fill in gaps, based on what you know/expect you'll need.
4. Always buy extras of what you're there for (I like Tractor Supply, unusual stuff I order on Amazon or use local specialty shop)
5. Continue to acquire over time.

 

[toplessHO]

When you need stuff just buy a box or some amount more than you need. It builds up, trust me.

impressive.

 

[toplessHO]

try AUVECO
they are an OEM auto fastener supplier

 

[Kenstone1]

A tuff question to answer, not knowing the size range, inch or metric, fine or course.
I have bought a lot of common hardware from Amazon lately, shelf brackets, small angle brackets, etc.

Here's an Amazon store that sells Nuts/Bolts, might have been posted already:

BoltsandNuts.com

We offer large selections of wholesale bolts, nuts, screws, washers & other fasteners online. Many items are available in a wide variety of finishes, grades, and features. Buy by the individual piece, package, or bulk quantity. Whether you are a weekend tinkerer or a production manufacturer, we...

www.amazon.com

check it out,

I now stock an assortment of threaded rod (all thread) and cut it to length for what I need.
If a soft bolt fills the need, I just weld a nut to one end and call it a "bolt".
If it needs to be a grade 8, then the threaded rod "bolt" fills the need until I can buy a proper replacement.

.

 

[All]

I have tons and tons and tons of hardware that I don't need, but that I got free or cheap.

I never have the specific hardware on hand when I need it, and that hardware is not sold in typical hardware stores like Ace, Tractor Supply, or big box.

Usually I'm looking for metric flange bolts and prevailing torque all metal flange nuts, with a corrosion protection coating that doesn't cause fastener embrittlement, in property classes 10.9 or 12.9.

Big box will have 8.8 and 9.8, without flanges.

Ace will have 10.9, but only in black oxide or phosphate and oil.

Tractor Supply will have lots of nylon locknuts, but not all metal deformed thread prevailing torque locknuts.

When in a pinch without the leisure of ordering from McMaster-Carr or MSC ahead of time, the highest quality hardware available locally can be found at a the parts department of a new car dealership.

I have literally looked at parts explosion diagrams of random truck chassis parts just to get the fastener size used to by the OEM, and from there have obtained the OEM part number to that fastener, and then called the dealership to ask if they had that part number on hand.

One time, a part counterperson quipped "you know, we are not a hardware store."

I responded, that may be, but you have the best hardware I can find locally.

I have 50 trays of hardware that I will never use, that I can't throw away because one day what if. And sometimes I do find something of use that saves a trip to the store and some money to boot. But I'm not sure that getting a general selection of hardware is as useful as having the optimal hardware for the specific use needed.

 

[toplessHO]

also a trip to the local pick and pull is an excellent source for cheap hardware.
a magnetic pick up tool can make quick work of whats on the ground.
I always show them upon check out and never once been charged.

EDIT
this probably doesnt work so well in the rust belt...
we are spoiled here with 20 yr old cars whose fasteners can be removed with normal tools