FYI: Metric Fasteners

They are great. Order a lot of stuff from them.
Hard to find actual "hardware" stores nowadays.

 

Before you give up completely on finding an old fashioned hardware store,
check that one of the hundreds of Fastenal stores is within your driving
range. They have a wide range of industrial hardware including metric
and can order small quantities if necessary. Fasteners is their business
and the demise of old fashioned hardware stores is why they are thriving.
My town population is about 30k and we have a Fastenal store.

http://www.fastenal.com/web/locations.ex

 

I had some decent luck at my local Sears Craftsman hardware store, good metric and stainless selection. But thanks for the link, I'll be using that -

 

I had pretty good experience for metric hardware and basic supplies from Ace Hardware.

Alas, that's one of the many national chains that don't have stores in Arlington or Fairfax counties.

 

Did you ever notice that the larger the store (especially hardware/lumber box stores) the less likely it is that you'll find the item you require? Bring back the mom and pop real harware stores please.

 

Another HUGE online hardware and material/tool source. I've used them several times and the stuff is great as are prices,

best,
chris

 

Answer to my complaints re lack of hardware at Lowe's: "We are in business to sell new things, not to repair old ones."

 

I checked the Fastenal site and only could find a listing for "Flange Head" metric bolts in yellow zinc. Under 'Hex Head" bolts they had none listed.

 

Some of us are lucky enough to be sandwiched between a Tacoma Screw store and Fastenall store, both within three miles of my house!!

It's always good to have more sources though!!

 

Scott- Many thanks. Made an order today. $1.96 for machine screws, postage ~$10. Who cares if this is the only place you can find it without beating yourself to death.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

fastenal....
what are you going to do with the 99 fasteners left in the box that you don't need?

 

http://www.metricmcc.com/

another excellent source for the stuff we need at great prices. Also have helpful phone people and they answer your emails when you send them one.

DM

 

Bill, there are a lot of fasteners that they sell 1 each. I just ordered a couple 6mm/1.0pitch 35mm, grade 8.8 machine screws from them. Buyers should check their website before writing them off for this reason.

 

Actually I went to the store near me and was able to order (rivets in this case) in whatever quantity I wanted.

 

Unfair, now we talking about fast delivery too, said the man who buy from summit

 

just to keep things real, summit racing is fast and good for my needs

 

well, maybe the fastenal folks at my local store just don't like selling onesy-twosy.

 

this past winter i needed 2, 4mm bolts that hold down the seat rails on my 328.
a quick call to the local fastenal revealed "yeap we got'em, in a box of 100 only".
i'll stick to mcmaster-carr.

 

If you live anywhere near a Tractor Supply Company (TSC) store, it's a good place to buy hardware. They sell bulk grade 5 and grade 8 hardware BY THE POUND which is a lot cheaper than Home Depot and Lowe's that price items individually. TSC also has numerous drawer bins with more obscure hardware. But yes, the good old hardware stores are great. We have several older hardware stores here in
Little Rock. They are affiliated with the Ace Hardware chain, but they were around long before Ace and still have the old store flavor. I've found things in their stores that the clerks probably didn't know were there. When you have to shake the dust off the box, it probably wasn't MADE IN CHINA. There are also a few other farm supply stores that carry a lot of obscure items.

 

I've got Lorden's TrueValue hdw store about 2 miles from my house. Bill Lorden has managed to pick up the inventory from several TrueValue stores that went out of business in the last 5-7 years. They've got one heck of a broad metric hardware assortment for a HW store. They stock more common items in boxes as well, & can order even more.

Also, about 10 miles away is one of the main Bel-Metrics offices that will most likely have what I need if Lourden's doesn't:
http://www.belmetric.com/

About 12 miles away is a Home Depot & a Lowes, generally not worth going to.

If Lordens & Bel-Metric can't help me, then the next calls are to either McMaster-Carr, Maryland Metrics and/or Metric Screw & tool:
http://www.mcmaster.com/
http://www.marylandmetrics.com/
http://www.metricscrew-toolco.com/
Sometimes Manhattan Supply Co. will come thru:
http://www.msc-direct.com/
All 4 are more or less volume oriented, but at least I can generally get what I need.

 

Must admit I've never heard of Fastenal.

I've found that Lowes and Home Depot have become worse than useless for metrics. My local Ace isn't bad, but they have very limited quantities. For most of my needs, I go to McLendons. They have quite a good selection, well organized, reasonably priced.

For special items, I go to Hi Strength Bolt (Tacoma or Kent). No minimum purchase required, they'll order anything they don't have in stock.