Stocking Nuts/Bolts/Washers Bin

[Cutch]

Stocking nuts, bolts, washers Bin

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Finally getting all my stuff moved into the garage. I have a large bin for nuts, bolts and wahers that I want to stock.

Locally have no place that sells in bulk at a reasonably price. There is one place in town but the price is definately not reasonable.

Are there any internet supply shops that sell these items in bulk.

These items will be for all applications. When you need a spare bolt...just go to the bin and voila there it is...no runs to the local hardware store.

Should I be looking at grade 5 or 8 stainless?

What range of sizes should I stock?
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[kartracer55]

MSC direct... It all depends on what your doing and why do youw ant to go stainless? Wait for one of our more... educated... members to go into detail. I remeber readinf that under certain circumstances, you can run into problems with stainless hardware, they can probably tell you why.


You can get assortments from lawson, so instead of having to buy bulk boxes of 100 count you can get many different lengths a nd sizes without having enough hardware to stock home depot

I know When I go to the englishtown swap meet there is an older couple and a ll they selll ishardware, USA made and you buy it in bags... for 1$ a piece, or you can buy assortments by the pound. Awesome deals, cheaper than the taiwanese chit HD sells...

Jim

 

[eschoendorff]

I've been thinking of doing the same thing. I went into the local hardware to get some deck screws and even the Hillman stuff is made in Taiwan.

This place is pretty cool:

http://www.midstatesbolt.com/

I have been to their facility... it's near my parent's house. You would not believe the inventory!!!!!!!! They were really cool, so even if you just have questions and want to run them by them, I'm sure they'll help you out!


edit: I was just surfin' on the midstatesbol website and found this among other references:

http://www.midstatesbolt.com/tap_drill_sizes.htm

It's a neat resource if you don't have a handbook.

 

[bmwpower]

Steve D (ultgar) stocks some really nice stuff. Check out his site.

 

[Speed Shop]

I hooked up with a vendor at a car show. Home Pro out of NY. Stuff is made in the USA. I started out with a few bags of bolts screws and washers. I now have 3, 6drawer assortment racks. Nice people at Home Pro - 1-888-727-7262.

 

[dink]

Also look into calling the manufacturers direct on how to get bulk assortments

Midwest Fastener is a good manufacturer to look at for assortments

 

[Rickster]

I get a good supply of nuts, bolts and screws from garage sales. A lot of these guys have stuff they took home from work. Theres always several jars or coffee cans filled with quality fasteners for cheap.

 

[Thumper]

I worked for a truck equipt. place a few years ago and they threw AWAY stuff by the crateloads. Grade 8 bolts, lockwashers, flat washers, nylock nuts you name it ....they tossed it! I got good at dumpster diving and I stocked up!

 

[iiibdsiil]

I would use a lot of metric stuff, and I noticed that for some reason the metric stuff is like 4x's more expensive at say Ace Hardware. Even one of the big nut/bolt supply places here in Tampa when I was asking said "Well, the metric is a bit more expensive."

Are ya'll hearing the same thing by chance?

 

[stimpy]

Cutch , there is a book by carroll smith that covers fastners and plumbing for automotive I think all garagies should have and read , it will tell you the proper uses of fastners and how they are graded and should be used , I would say grade 5 mild steel should be the main stay of all garages , grade 8 is stronger but more brittle in certain situations (shear ) we use mostly grade 5 in the bodyshop , grade8 for things like racing engine brackets or suspension connections .

 

[krooser]

Stainless is really not good for many applications...it galls pretty EZ and isn't as strong as grade 5 in most instances.http://www.gardner-westcott.com/

 

[330Scott]

First of all, imho of course, stay away from stainless hardware for use as your everyday hardware. Too expensive, but it also has a tendency to seize up unless you put a little anti-seize compound on the bolt threads. I do like using it on some outdoor projects though.

Great timing on this thread because for the past week I have been cleaning out coffee cans, cheese boxes, yogurt containers and anything else that I have tossed stuff into for the past 25+ years. I have been sorting & sifting for hours and am still not done. All of those AkroBins that work threw away a few months ago are really coming in handy. At least now I do have a much better idea of what I do and do not have fastener-wise and have already started a list of needed items to pick up on my next trip to Ace Hardware.

Maybe cabin fever is driving some of us to get to work in our shops.

Also, I believe it was here that a thread mentioned going to your local bolt and supply store and asking it you could buy the loose stuff that they sweep up off the floor and throw into buckets. IIRC, it sounded like a few guys got some great deals.

Thanks for the links, btw.

 

[Uncle Buck]

That was my thread, and it is a great idea if you can make it work!

 

[gerry]

I order mine from McMaster-carr. I keep a fair supply in plastic divider boxes seperated by size and bolt/thread/material type

 

[mike944]

I'll second the motion to go read the "Nuts, Bolts and Fasteners and Plumbing Handbook" book by Carrol Smith. He'll explain which fasteners should be used in which applications, and why. Fasteners will never be an afterthought again!

Actually, he has several automotive books, they're all worth reading.
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Diversion

 

[MXtras]

Get grade 5 in boxes from your local industrial fastener store. A box of bolts will cost far less than a few bolts from the local home center. Get a few sizes a month/week until you are happy.

I would not bother with SS or Gr8 - when you run into a need, get what you need. Gr5 will work 95% of the time (depends on what you're into, of course). You don't want all your cash sitting in boxes for the "just in case". I would not recommend Gr5 lock washers, though. Use strictly Gr8 lock washers (if you are into using lock washers, which I am not). Loctite, an array of torque wrenches and soft flat washers are a must for any hardware assortment.

You may also find a sales guy at the fastener store that is willing to or able to hook you up with close-outs from closing facilities. Many of these places have 'contracts' with facilities to keep them stocked with an array of fasteners and may often have excess or unwanted hardware by the bucket-full. ANd as mentioned - ask about the floor sweepings. You'll get smallish stuff, but you'll get a lot of it for next to nothing. I thought this was an excellent point by Mr. hholmberg.

Look for industrial fastener in your area. You will save about 60% by getting your stuff from them. Home Depot and Lowes should be for emergency use only.

Scott

 

[kartracer55]

Good I knew I wasnt cracking up with the stainless...

I have about a soupcans worth of 1/4 stainless hardware...all socket caps in different lengths and washers and such. Ive also got about half a cans worth of larger stainless hardware. Dad gets the for me... Whenever his guys get a new machine to install It comes packaged ready for a nuclear attack... 1/2 steel plate 2x 36 sections with two small hoels on each end, 3ft (ish) sections of 1/8 steelflatstock.. once again with 2 small holes on the ends. Its all held to gether with stainless hardware, and it only gets used once so its all essentially brand new... Oh yeah, My favorites are the *** branded German made machined shims/washers. Man, do I love free stuff.

Jim

 

[Cutch]

I'm leaning toward stainless as most of my application will be in the 4x4 world which means elements ( I really don't like mud).

What size range of bolts and nuts would provide a good inventory?

 

[bmwpower]

... Oh yeah, My favorites are the *** branded German made machined shims/washers...

Jim

Jim, ever since that craftsman club event, I knew you were a little light in the loafers

 

[BoostAddiction]

In addition to Steve G's site (which has most of the fasteners you will likely need), Griots sells several assortments which he claims are the good stuff.

I think I will call our local Fastenal store and see if they sell assortments.

-Will

 

[ultgar]

Stainless is really not good for many applications...it galls pretty EZ and isn't as strong as grade 5 in most instances.http://www.gardner-westcott.com/

.......and if you do use stainless, make sure the nut/bolt/washer are all stainless. Good for exhaust connections (cats to mufflers)....do not use on carbon steel studs at the manifolds.

And if you need something lightweight, you could always throw a few of these in a drawer....

Unfortunately, these few titanium fasteners probably cost more than the whole cabinet they're in. SD

 

[kartracer55]

Jim, ever since that craftsman club event, I knew you were a little light in the loafers

yeah hasnt been a good month for me lol


Want irony? my friend is like the most homophobic person ive ever met (next to myself lol) and he has more ashlee simpson on his ipod than anybody I have ever met... go figure


Jim

 

[kartracer55]

Ultgar, about how much would an M8 x 1.25 with 30mm under the head socket head cost? Just for ha-ha's I get my holokromes for .22 a piece and I go through them like theyre goin out of style

Jim

 

[dink]

How much do titanium fasteners usually go for....ball bark

 

[ultgar]

Ultgar, about how much would an M8 x 1.25 with 30mm under the head socket head cost? Just for ha-ha's I get my holokromes for .22 a piece and I go through them like theyre goin out of style

Jim

Stick with the holochromes and see if you can buy them in bigger volumes (ie, box of 1000pc) for deeper discounts. Problem is they come in black oxide finish only.......if you need zinc or yellow zinc, you'll have to settle for 10.9 hex head or spend the $3-5ea for titanium. SD

 

[kartracer55]

.22 is actually not that bad, I was just curious. When I go to buy hard ware at the track markup is about 5x... they get 1.25 for cheaper bolts.

3-5$... thats crazy

 

[bmwpower]

SO when the guys at OCC build a bike, what type of fasteners do they use? Stainless?

 

[kartracer55]

SO when the guys at OCC build a bike, what type of fasteners do they use? Stainless?

Who cares what they use... I like the show and love thier bikes but thier work habits probably shouldnt be followed. Tons of general No-nos in terms of safety and tool usage practices that they have. Then again, when your worth as much as they are, if something breaks buying a new one is no big deal so who knows

 

[bmwpower]

Who cares what they use... I like the show and love thier bikes but thier work habits probably shouldnt be followed. Tons of general No-nos in terms of safety and tool usage practices that they have. Then again, when your worth as much as they are, if something breaks buying a new one is no big deal so who knows

Just happened to be watching it at the time. I don't care what they use, just used them as an example. Everyone says don't use stainless, but it seems like all custom bikes have stainless fasteners all over the place.

 

[MXtras]

I think the chopper guys use chromed hardware - I am sure the customer pays as if it were titanium, though.

Ever looked closely at a Harley? All the hardware has HD stamped on it. Wonder how much an official Harley Davidson SHCS costs?

Scott

 

[Pharmteck]

www.fastenal.com

We have 62 locations in Ontario.

http://www.fastenal.com/web/locations.ex?action=search&zip=&state=ON&page=1

Talk to them at the store... I know they will work out a good price if you talk bulk.

 

[krooser]

I see the racers are using "tubular" fasteners now to save weight...man that stuff's gotta be high dollar....

 

[kartracer55]

http://www.racebolt.com/tubular_bolts.htm

Thats a hell of alot of money to spend to shed a few pounds total from the whole car, but thats at a whole 'nother level of racing

 

[Tx Firefighter]

I was able to score an empty bolt bin a few years ago for free.

To fill it I buy all grade 8 stuff at my local Tractor Supply for 3.88 a pound. Pick and choose, any size, nuts, bolt, or washer.

Also, there is a local steel salvage yard here in Ft Worth that gets all the Lockheed Martin salvage hardware. It's all cad plated aircraft stuff, brand new, for 1.50 a pound. Again, pick and choose whatever you want.

 

[homer]

tx. firefighter can you give me specifics on where these places are?

 

[Tx Firefighter]

tx. firefighter can you give me specifics on where these places are?

Tractor Supply stores are everywhere. I use the one in Weatherford, but there is also one in Lake Worth too. Check the phone book, I know there's others in Ft Worth.

The scrap place with the salvage aircraft bolts is WesTex Iron right off North Main street in Ft Worth. Check the phone book under "metal salvage". The hardware is under the awning in front of the office building. There are buckets and bins full of the stuff. The lady in the office will give you a sack and you pick and choose what you want and she'll weigh it and sell it by the pound.

 

[Teknition]

Stay away from stainless hardware. It galls very easy and is a P.I.T.A. for general use.

After it galls you cant just chop it off with a torch or heat it up and remove it, generally you have to cut it off with a grinder and in some tight spots that can be almost impossible.

If you insist on using it, make sure you use a liberal coat of never sieze on the threads.
I find the yellow cad plated grade 8 bolt to be the best option if you're playin with cars, etc.

It looks as cool as stainless and generally the finish holds up pretty well.....and you can still hack it off with a torch it it gives you problems.

Tek

 

[Cutch]

I find out that here in town we have a Fastenal dealer (never knew it was there). I walk into the place and I hear a scream...oh...my god.

Turns out the manager of the store is an old friend of mine...I hadn't seen her for a couple of years...ended up with a killer price on a 2000 pc set.

Will be filling and organizing the bin on Thursday.

 

[iiibdsiil]

Have her call the Tampa store