Stainless Hardware Assortment Kit
- Thread starter Rickkyyr8
- Start date
ez-duzit
Well-known member
Buy the compartmented boxes from McMaster-Carr. Then supply them just what you need at your local hardware store.
RTM
Well-known member
I don’t often see metric and SAE in one kit. Most kits you find at the big box seems to have the lowest grade fasteners you could image, like butter.
Build your own, or go to a renowned source like McMaster, McFeelers, etc
Build your own, or go to a renowned source like McMaster, McFeelers, etc
BoltsAndNuts.com has kits with storage and everything, for example:
www.boltsandnuts.com
Inch 18-8 Stainless Hex Cap Screws, Hex Nuts, Flat & Lock Washers - 2012 PCS
Shop High Quality Fasteners Hardware Assortment Kits at BoltsandNuts.com. 18-8 Stainless Coarse Thread Hex Head Cap Screws Bolts, Nuts, Flat & Lock Washers Assortment Kit with Large 40 Hole Compartment Storage Bin
www.boltsandnuts.com
RTM
Well-known member
I live real close to the Pacific Rust Generator, they are indispensable for that one reason. I’m not bolting high strength machinery together, but fittings to the house, Or replacing rusty license plate fasteners.
nadogail
Well-known member
I used to buy Stainless Fasteners by the pound, but my supplier closed his shop because he became a target for lawsuits because the aisles in his warehouse were not up to ADA standards.
Here in the Midwest we have the Menards chain of home improvement stores. They stock a decent amount of stainless steel screws, nuts, bolts, washers, lock washers, lock nuts, etc. I buy a lot of fasteners from them. Menards has a FAR better selection of fasteners than Home Depot, for example. I agree with the poster above that SS is a terrible material to manufacturer fasteners from. However, I also agree with another poster above who buys SS fasteners for household projects or mounting license plates, etc... That is exactly what I use SS fasteners for. I use them anywhere I do not want to see a fastener rust away and/or cause rust streaks AND where ultimate fastener strength is not necessary.
I bought a couple small kits from West Marine for my boat. One was primarily screws the other bolts. I've used it a few times and it has come in handy but also have had more than one trip to local hardware store to find specific bolt I needed. It's toss of coin IMO nice to have but may not always have what you need.
oldschoolcraft
Well-known member
One of my eventual to-do lists is to assemble something like the OP is asking for. The mythbuster dude, Adam Savage does YouTube Videos in his workshop where he fabricates stuff at a professional level. He has probably 1,000+ different types of fasteners / nuts / washers / etc.
I fabricate random stuff from time to time. A part for a dishwasher, a part for fitness equipment, outdoor planter modifications, truly random stuff. I wouldn’t need anywhere near what Adam Savage has but I would love to identify a list of parts to keep on hand.
Maybe something like 1/4” diameter bolts in various lengths like 1/2”, 1”, 2”, 4”, and 6” along with the nuts of the same thread. And maybe a few different washers, all with the same 1/4” opening but some washers are 1” diameter, some are 2” diameter and maybe 4” diameter washers.
Repeat this with maybe 1/8” and 1/2” diameter bolts, with sets of nuts and washers for each. And then something similar for machine screws and wood screws and drywall and concrete screws with different lengths.
The premise being most of the stuff I fabricate doesn’t have to be perfect. And if it does I’ll McMaster Carr an order and it will be here in 1 to 2 days. But sometimes I want to make something now and a 30 minute round trip to Home Depot for cheap **** fasteners really cuts into the mood.
I just haven’t sat down to really think through what makes sense to have. If anyone has any ideas or can point me to a source of a handyman who has done this, I’d love to see it. My dad had an old coffee can where he’d deposit random screws/bolts/nuts he found or were extra. I want that, but in a more organized and strategic way.
I fabricate random stuff from time to time. A part for a dishwasher, a part for fitness equipment, outdoor planter modifications, truly random stuff. I wouldn’t need anywhere near what Adam Savage has but I would love to identify a list of parts to keep on hand.
Maybe something like 1/4” diameter bolts in various lengths like 1/2”, 1”, 2”, 4”, and 6” along with the nuts of the same thread. And maybe a few different washers, all with the same 1/4” opening but some washers are 1” diameter, some are 2” diameter and maybe 4” diameter washers.
Repeat this with maybe 1/8” and 1/2” diameter bolts, with sets of nuts and washers for each. And then something similar for machine screws and wood screws and drywall and concrete screws with different lengths.
The premise being most of the stuff I fabricate doesn’t have to be perfect. And if it does I’ll McMaster Carr an order and it will be here in 1 to 2 days. But sometimes I want to make something now and a 30 minute round trip to Home Depot for cheap **** fasteners really cuts into the mood.
I just haven’t sat down to really think through what makes sense to have. If anyone has any ideas or can point me to a source of a handyman who has done this, I’d love to see it. My dad had an old coffee can where he’d deposit random screws/bolts/nuts he found or were extra. I want that, but in a more organized and strategic way.
ez-duzit
Well-known member
You need to get more of an idea of what fasteners you need.
Try flathead and panhead machine screws in 6-32, 8-32, 10-24 and 1/4-20 in lengths that seem appropriate, perhaps: 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1-1/4, 1-1/2. You might get some extra long that can be cut down.
Do the same with flathead and panhead sheet metal screws in #6, 8, 10, 14.
Maybe hex head machine screws in larger sizes.
Flat and lock washers, plus hex nuts to fit above.
Then #8 drywall screws in 3/4, 1, 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 2-1/2, 3. Perhaps #10 in the longer sizes.
That will be a good start.
tez929rr
Well-known member
I don’t have too many SAE fasteners but I got a metric assortment (for Christmas from the Mrs) from Bolt Depot. They have a matching SAE version.
cherokee
Well-known member
I have used these guys as well and have nothing bad to say about them.BoltsAndNuts.com has kits with storage and everything, for example:
Inch 18-8 Stainless Hex Cap Screws, Hex Nuts, Flat & Lock Washers - 2012 PCS
Shop High Quality Fasteners Hardware Assortment Kits at BoltsandNuts.com. 18-8 Stainless Coarse Thread Hex Head Cap Screws Bolts, Nuts, Flat & Lock Washers Assortment Kit with Large 40 Hole Compartment Storage Bin
Skyman
Well-known member
I have assortments that came from McMaster-Carr. Washers, lock-nuts, machine screws, SAE and metric. They've served my needs well so far.
Wyoming09
Well-known member
I have used BoltDepot.com. Also no complaints whatsoever.
Sounds pretty much like my purchases. I've added acorn nuts, fender washers, and truss head screws where I have a need for low profile.
The nice thing about the Amazon assortments is you can spread the cost out over some time since they're smaller sets.
oldschoolcraft
Well-known member
Can you please post a link to the Amazon assortments.
nadogail
Well-known member
For Stainless i try to stick with 316
Most of those little cheap sets are horrid quality...not to say I don't have a few kicking around, but they aren't for anything important. A knob on a cupboard? Sure...something I'm driving? Nope.
Also, questionable if they're actually stainless all the time even when they say it lol
ez-duzit
Well-known member
While 316 has somewhat superior corrosion resistance, it has lesser mechanical strength, is more expensive and generally harder to find. Unless the application is submerged in seawater, it is probably unnecessary. More readily available is 18-8.
RTM
Well-known member
Silicon Bronze is best for submersed in sea water, or so I'm told.