Where to buy Nuts / Bolts / Washers ???

[brin]

My time's worth taking enough of it to write down the SKUs and quantities of the hardware I buy. Lowes makes it easy w/ pens and bags designed for just such a technique. At HD it's a bit harder, but still doable.

Makes the trip through checkout quick and easy

First of all my local Home Depot and Lowes do not have bags or pencils by the nuts and bolts. Second my time is worth more to me than to have to take a pen and what a bunch of zip lock bags in my pocket and stand in the aisle at a big box store and try to write down the sku #'s of a whole selection of nuts, bolts, washers etc. Why would I do that when I can go to my local tractor supply and buy them by the pound...Think about it....!!!!!

 

[defed]

i THINK my father got a bunch of stuff from this online store:

Pointe Products - Distributor of Bolts, Nuts, Fasteners & Parts

i can't remember what he needed that he couldn't get at TSC, but if i recall, it was not too high for shipping.

kind of hard to find the bolts....click "bolts", click "standard cap screws", then select the grade and type. nuts/washers are listed in a different section.

now, i'm not 100% sure this is the place he used, as i have several links saved, but almost sure, but just check the prices and shipping to see that you are getting a good deal.

 

[Bird]

the single problem I see with Fastenal is they are really geared towards "personal" service... in other words, if you walk in only once every 18 months chances are you wont get great service. By that i mean you'll get Home Depot type service.

I'll guarantee the service I got wasn't even close to being as good as Home Depot.:laughing: They not only did not have what I needed, but really didn't even want to talk to me. So I'm highly unlikely to ever go in one of their stores again; 3 times is my limit.:laughing: But I'll take you word for it. If I were going to be a regular customer buying large quantities, I might consider using them.

 

[spo307]

look up grainger i got my bolt for my flail there

 

[archerm3]

Don't even bother with TSC if you've got a Fastenal nearby, or McMasterCarr. You won't buy another bolt anywhere else once you see the prices.

 

[Danno1]

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McMaster-Carr has an extensive selection. It's mail order but they ship same day.


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[bjr]

My area has a what I call the Western Wear/Tractor Parts Store. More emphasis on the westen wear, but they do stock a couple of tractor hitch pins. The bolts are $3 @lbs. and are the non harden ones. I use them to hold fencing together or some non load bearing project. I tried using them on a cultivator toolbar 5/8" and 3/4" and they are butter. The nuts start flaring out on the edges after a couple of take and take cylces and that's just using hand tools not impact wrenches. I'll have to go the specialized Nut and Bolt parts house and pay a premium for the grade 8's to satisfy my need for high quality for the nuts on the cultivator. High quality and High standards cost a lot these days and most of the time on my small tractor projects I need to just lower my standards and use the cheap stuff and have a coke and smile and be happy. Trying to keep more dollars coming in vs the dollars going out is the main focus. bjr

 

[kenstrac]

I needed 9/16 NF bolts for tines on KKII went to tsc they don't have them went to Fastenull they did not have them in stock and the price was high and transportation cost drove it up even more,Ordered from McMaster carr got 10 bolts ,40 washers and 10 locking nuts with transportation it was less than Fastenull for just the bolts.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

McMaster has the best catalog on the internet. Even if I don't buy from them I go there for the specs, info, or drawings.

I've had good service from the local fastenal. They stock high-strength all-thread rod at a good price.

I also like TSC. Northern has a similar display by the pound. TSC also has a small selection of plow bolts. Agri Supply has plow bolts. Fleet Farm is great if I'm in WI. They need to get into online sales.

Bolt and Tool Supply here in Hickory. They stock the big stuff.

The big boxes have a certain knack for randomizing parts bins so it takes several minutes to find each item. (especially in plumbing) And yeah bolts in baggies are high. The stuff in the drawers is priced like treasure.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I needed 9/16 NF bolts for tines on KKII went to tsc they don't have them went to Fastenull they did not have them in stock and the price was high and transportation cost drove it up even more,Ordered from McMaster carr got 10 bolts ,40 washers and 10 locking nuts with transportation it was less than Fastenull for just the bolts.

You're getting taken for a ride....Which is unfortunately the case if you dont have an account.
I also bet its not they didnt have em...the person in the store didnt want to deal with you. Been there...done that...felt like you do.

Easiest way to deal with Fastenal (how I did it) was to start ordering online and use the ship to store option (Free ship)...you get exactly what you want, no hassle. I think what happened for me was they soon saw after a month I was a "Serious" customer.....so that opened up the lines of communication (they get ZERO comission/bonus for the online sales)...now I have an account and deal with them personally.

I really have no reason to defend them, but for ME..in my case, Fastenal is 1/2 the cost of TSC and has EVERYTHING, if its not in the store I can usually get next day.

Recent example...Friday I ordered a rear blade guide for my Milwaukee PortaBand.... Online cheapest I could find it was 16.00 + 4.95 S&H, my price at Fastenal was 13.00 and I'll have it on Monday.