Everyone knows Mcmaster Carr is hard to beat for finding quality odd ball fasteners, hardware and odds and ends at a decent price, in stock with super fast shipping. Out of the bizziIlion items they stock I was curious what type of items you guys have found there that you would recommend that would come in handy to the rest of us both from a quality and price standpoint?
What do you source from Mcmaster Carr?
- Thread starter i4ni
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karoc
Well-known member
Over the yrs I have order lots and lots of 316 SS fasteners at good price and even SS balls from 3/16 to 1/4
rayra
Well-known member
As little as possible. Their shipping was already very excessive, even before covid shortages drove their metal prices thru the roof.
Yankeefarmer
Well-known member
I’m not sure there is any particular item that I go there for- maybe quality u.s. made pipe fittings. Certainly fasteners, sometimes small pieces of specialty steel or other materials. Shipping I consider to generally be reasonable, especially compared to the cost of gas and my time to search for some of these things locally. One of my biggest considerations that causes me to order from them is the fact that the item(s) will arrive the next day for standard shipping rates.
I've ordered a lot of stuff from McMaster-Carr over the years, first when I was a maintenance planner; then while an A&P. Anytime our local suppliers couldn't get what we needed. Everything from specialty plastics for material handling in the aluminum plant; to tools and rigging supplies for hanging aircraft in the museum. Can't beat their service. You can probably find some of the stuff cheaper locally; but you won't find the selection they carry...
FredWanaker
Well-known member
generally anything I can't find locally. I also use BelMetric https://belmetric.com/
BillK
Well-known member
Pretty much everything hardware or machine tool related. Cant beat it. As long as I order by 5 I will have it the next morning when the UPS guy gets here around 10AM. Today I ordered some small zip lock bags today to put parts in to give back to customers. Also a couple of pieces of 1/4" sq key stock and a few drill bits. I dont even pay attention to the shipping. I just pass the savings on to my customers. If I spend 30 minutes going somewhere local to buy something that is 30 minutes that I am not working. At about $125 per hour you can figure it out. And I actually have a Fastenal store walking distance from my shop.
The reason I started this thread was I won an auction for a Rockwell 548 Bayonet Saw that uses the hook style blades in pretty nice condition. These were the Rolls Royce of saber saws but became too expensive to produce compared to the evolving plastic throw away competition. They still fetch up to $300 + for a pristine unit with accessory's and I got mine for $23 + $17.50 shipping. Well, I got the saw today and there was no capture nut that secures the blade on the saw. Not a huge deal I think because Porter/Cable continued to produce the exact same saw under their name. I look up the part and it's no longer available from P/C. "Uh Oh!! " Still not a huge deal, any machine shop could replicate it............ but for how much $$ ? I decide to poke around McMaster Carr because they stock all kinds of threaded inserts and within a couple of minutes I locate a square 10-24 weld nut that is almost a perfect fit, "Ca Ching" $9.70 for a bag of 25. I might as well see if I can find a new shoulder bolt while I'm at it. Not as easy because the shoulder is the same diameter as the threads. After some digging I locate a replacement for $4.63 which seems like alot but not really when you consider the chances of finding a new factory replacement and whatever jacked up price their getting out of them. I buy 5 of them just because. Problem solved, except while I'm thinking about it I need a swivel pad for a Bessey type welding clamp that the company went out of business so once again Mc/C comes up with one that is the only thing close I could find anywhere from previous searches. I'll need to take 20 thousanths off the clamp ball but no biggie. Oh yea I almost forgot I also found they stock those scarce high priced hook blades for that saw for a decent price so all in all "Thanks Mcmaster Carr" for coming through as you have many times for me over the years.
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FredWanaker
Well-known member
a few years ago a friend needed a manual for something old like that. I found someone selling one on Ebay and they were kind enough to scan the manual and email me a copy. If the parts don't fit you can try finding someone with a manual and see if they can scan you a copy of the parts page.
There are a lot parts diagrams for these on the interweb because some factory replacement parts are still available from a few parts dealers. I suspect these are just the remaining stock of low demand parts that don't wear out or get broken. The highly consumable parts are of course long gone unfortunately. I do appreciate your input though. Thanks
haveissues
Well-known member
I order all kinds of hardware and specialty material from them and have found their shipping to be fair plus the website is amazing. Drawings for everything! Those that are complaining about their shipping prices keep in mind homeowners are not their target audience and for a while they would only ship to businesses. Like others said, order by 5 and it shows up the next day. That kind of reliability is worth much more to a business than saving a few bucks on shipping.
HPRifleman
Member Emeritus
The McMaster-Carr catalog (back when we all had the yellow ones on our desks) is the equivalent of the Sears Christmas wishbook back when we were kids. They have everything that I could want for tinkering and fabricating.
Max78
Well-known member
Any and all fasteners I get from McMaster. I can get a box of 100 shipped for cheaper than I can get 10 fasteners at any local place.
They don't make any $ off shipping, they pass that cost off to the customer. Shipping anything over about 2 feet long gets expensive quick though!
They don't make any $ off shipping, they pass that cost off to the customer. Shipping anything over about 2 feet long gets expensive quick though!
slidehammer
Well-known member
McMaster is great when you need a part with particular material properties, and can't afford to gamble on mystery meat from the hardware store. Stuff like O-rings made from a specific rubber, or bulk metal made of a particular alloy.
e36jon
Well-known member
As others have said, "Whatever I need in a hurry!". I'm a mechanical engineer and work as a product design consultant. That means I could be working on a medical device this week and robot-toy next week, so there's just no way to have everything I might need on-hand in advance. It's cheaper and faster for myself and the clients to just get what's needed when it's needed and keep on truckin'. It's rare that I can't get everything I need (Granted, maybe not at the best price.) from them...
smokeysevin
Well-known member
P/N 1983N13
Sean
Sean
JSGAuto
Well-known member
I was just about to post that!
fsae0607
Well-known member
Fasteners, plumbing/pneumatic fittings, tools, etc.
matt_i
Well-known member
For a plant....lubricants, sealers, tools, rigging supplies, padlocks, fasteners, pipe fittings, edge tools (taps, drills, milling cutters, carbide inserts), W1 drill rod, welding & filler rods, raw materials (delrin, steel aluminum) in 3'/4' lengths although its higher priced, its a savings over ordering a 12' stick and never needing the rest.
In my own shop if I want it but I can wait, I will mark it on a dry erase board and/or call my Dad and see if he needs anything to combine shipping costs.
In my own shop if I want it but I can wait, I will mark it on a dry erase board and/or call my Dad and see if he needs anything to combine shipping costs.
infinite97
Well-known member
I was super spoiled when I was working in New Jersey. 9 years of having a McMaster DC 15 minutes down the highway. I was at the will call every week!
smackey05
Well-known member
Odd bolts that aren't carried around me. I just bought a M10 x 130mm. Not finding that around here. Especially black oxide coated with a pan head that looks decent on my sled.
R.Bolte.Jr
Active member
this stuff...
https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/127/934
I make lots of "looms" for audio and video systems at work. McMaster actually has this stuff, known as "tecflex" in our industry, for a lot less than audio and video suppliers sell it for. The fact that its in stock and I get it the next day for ground shipping is a huge bonus when working on deadlines.
https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/127/934
I make lots of "looms" for audio and video systems at work. McMaster actually has this stuff, known as "tecflex" in our industry, for a lot less than audio and video suppliers sell it for. The fact that its in stock and I get it the next day for ground shipping is a huge bonus when working on deadlines.
dr_clyde
Well-known member
I buy all kinds of stuff from McMaster, it is a lifeline for our fabrication and machine shop.
They're one of those suppliers that once you know, you know. They almost have a cult-like following in some circles. I love introducing people to McMaster, it's like flipping on a lightswitch.
The 3D solidworks models, the EXCELLENT website, their outstanding customer service, these are all things they do above and beyond the next guy.
One of my favorite things is how movies and TV shows will sneak a McMaster catalog into the shot. I laughed out loud when I saw one on the desk in the background of Big Hero 6, which is an animated movie. They clearly had someone on staff who knew what it was, and put it in for people who would appreciate it.
They're one of those suppliers that once you know, you know. They almost have a cult-like following in some circles. I love introducing people to McMaster, it's like flipping on a lightswitch.
The 3D solidworks models, the EXCELLENT website, their outstanding customer service, these are all things they do above and beyond the next guy.
One of my favorite things is how movies and TV shows will sneak a McMaster catalog into the shot. I laughed out loud when I saw one on the desk in the background of Big Hero 6, which is an animated movie. They clearly had someone on staff who knew what it was, and put it in for people who would appreciate it.
My business orders about $2000 a month from McMaster, and, NO, they have never sent me a catalog.
Otherwise, unless I'm looking for something very specific, their immense selection and next day delivery can't be beat.
JasonMcElroy
Well-known member
Everything.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I would say that is the perfect description. A friend of mine who owned a small machine shop told me about them probably 20+ years ago when he handed me his old catalog because his new one showed up. I hadn't heard of them before that and I remember going home and drooling over the contents and then I was hooked. Been using them ever since and mostly via the internet now for the past 10 years or so.
quickfarms
Well-known member
I get a lot of stuff there that is not stocked at any of the big box stores or local hardware stores
with will call any order I place is ready in 30 minutes or less and I pass, or can alter my trip, with in a few miles of the local distribution center at least once a week
the catalog is still available by request, my catalogs are 96 and 97 and my dad has 126 on his desk
with will call any order I place is ready in 30 minutes or less and I pass, or can alter my trip, with in a few miles of the local distribution center at least once a week
the catalog is still available by request, my catalogs are 96 and 97 and my dad has 126 on his desk
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Another thing I like about using their website is that I can research something and add it to my cart and not necessarily have to purchase it right then and there. I routinely do this for projects that are out a week or so then I get nearer I can still add items and when I'm ready to have them shipped I checkout and they share the freight so I don't incur shipping charges for each every small item as I add it to the list. Works must better than keeping it on a notepad and then ordering it all at once. I've even gotten to where a job falls through or I change my mind in which I can simply go into my cart and remove or adjust the item(s).
goingtoarizona
Well-known member
I've heard about them forever, never needed them until this week. I ordered some semi tubular rivets from a rivet supplier. Then decided to get some solid rivets for a project. I chose copper rivets for ease of installation. That supplier wanted a small fortune, McMaster had a lot of 20, which was more than I needed for 7 or 8 bucks, plus another 7 or so for shipping. Arrived two days later. Can't beat 'em.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
At work I use them every day and is the first place I look. I used to price shop but I now they are quality goods at an ok price but the ease of use of their website and their ordering process is so easy its not worth my time (to the company) to comparison shop. It would cost them more.
At work they have an app that is alot like an excel spreadsheet that you drop in the part number and quantity. Thats it, it will show up the next day or second day.
On a personal level I put in a fastener order every other month or so. There are cheaper fastener places but with much more onerous order processes.
At work they have an app that is alot like an excel spreadsheet that you drop in the part number and quantity. Thats it, it will show up the next day or second day.
On a personal level I put in a fastener order every other month or so. There are cheaper fastener places but with much more onerous order processes.
ScottsGT
Well-known member
I think the only items I’ve ever bought from them was specific size drill rod. They were very cheap and shipping was a bit high, but still a hell of a lot cheaper than “centering rods” to check the alignment on a silencer once mounted on a rifle barrel. Gun smith suppliers were charging $75+ for the same thing. I think mine were $7 each plus the shipping that arrived the next day.
Funny thing was guys on the gun forums bitching about $18 shipping on a steel rod. I reminded them they were whining like little kids over $20 to verify they won’t destroy a $700+ silencer (plus the NFA tax of $200) for a tool they were buying for $7 and not $75.
Funny thing was guys on the gun forums bitching about $18 shipping on a steel rod. I reminded them they were whining like little kids over $20 to verify they won’t destroy a $700+ silencer (plus the NFA tax of $200) for a tool they were buying for $7 and not $75.
speed bump
Well-known member
At home I buy stuff when I need it for a project and have a list . Getting to the point it isn't worth screwing with other places. No sorting through 50 **** promoted items, no wondering about quality, and no shipping games. To me it's worth a little extra.
At work I buy a lot odd ball stuff. 20 30mm fine thread nuts? Here tomorrow. 1.25" ptfe hose with stainless ends? Here tomorrow. It's interesting, with everyone else prices have gone up a lot but McMaster has only gone up a little so we have been ordering more because they deliver quickly and have gotten price competitive.
At work I buy a lot odd ball stuff. 20 30mm fine thread nuts? Here tomorrow. 1.25" ptfe hose with stainless ends? Here tomorrow. It's interesting, with everyone else prices have gone up a lot but McMaster has only gone up a little so we have been ordering more because they deliver quickly and have gotten price competitive.
I was thinking about getting some magnets from Mc/C to epoxy or glue to the Milwaukee M12 Rover light and or a battery because the one magnet it has limits it's usefulness so much that it annoys the heck out of me. I've knocked the thing off so many times that I'm surprised it still works. I don't care what kind of ugly it ends up being as long as it's more functional. I really don't have any idea what magnets to get.
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I can see myself using this type of product in the future for sure. Nice to know.
senlow
Well-known member
Everything except a paper catalog.
I've only used them as a last resort.
Prices aren't horrible, but with the shipping, it can be pricey. Plus takes a week or so to show up.
The shipping isn't horrible if I'm ordering a bunch of stuff, but if I just need a few bolts, I'll shop around.
Prices aren't horrible, but with the shipping, it can be pricey. Plus takes a week or so to show up.
The shipping isn't horrible if I'm ordering a bunch of stuff, but if I just need a few bolts, I'll shop around.