where to get parts/materials

gmason · Oct 16, 2002

Where does everyone go to get parts/materials when HD doesn't carry it?
Sometimes I get so frustrated when I go to the big orange box and they don't have the parts or pieces that I need to do something. We now have a Northern Tool place nearby that sometime will have what I'm looking for, but sometimes not even then. Most of the time the phone book yellow pages are no good either.

Right now I'm looking for some Acme threaded rods. The web has a few distributors and manufactures.

Just wish there was someplace that was like HD, only for more hardcore DYI's...

gary

hazmat · Oct 16, 2002

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mcmaster.com/>McMaster Carr</A>

Not walk in, but their online catalog is one of the best I've seen. They have several dist. centers & you can get stuff UPS'd in a day or two.

Alternative, look in your yellow pages for Industrial Equipment & Supply

Soundguy · Oct 16, 2002

Many of the farm supply stores also do some hardware. For instance, TSC sells fencing material, and I think I have seen threaded rod there, as well as some small metal stock for keways, and also for trailer suspension rigging, etc.

For that matter, the smaller mom-n-pop hardware stores usually carry the odd stuff. We have such a place where we live. If I need an odd electrical component to a 1960's clothes dryer.. there is a 85% chance that my local mom-n-pop store has it, etc.

Scrap / surplus and recycling places sometimes stock materials as well. We have a business called Svinga Bros... it is a metal reclamation scrap/surplus yard... they are our counties leading bulk metal supplier...

good luck!

Soundguy

RobS · Oct 16, 2002

Good call on McMaster Carr. There's also MSC and Grainger. Most of these industrial supply houses have 24 hour turnaround. I toured the new MSC distribution facility in Elkhart and it was amazing. Gets real busy there in the middle of the afternoon as everyone scrambles to get the orders out for UPS/FedEx and such /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

BB_TX · Oct 16, 2002

If HD doesn't have it, my local hardware store usually does. If they don't, then I am not too far from North Dallas. There are a couple large hardware stores there that if they don't have it, it ain't likely to be had. Course you really pay for it to.

ScottAR · Oct 16, 2002

All of the above are great sources. You might also look for a local industrial supply place. Someplace the factories get things from. Our local one can get anything... They're a little more expensive, but when I need it, I need it.

Anonymous Poster · Oct 17, 2002

I get all kinds of stuff from www.reidtool.com.

gmason · Oct 17, 2002

chevdog, here's an example of my trouble. I'm trying to find a 3/4" Acme threaded rod 6' in length. I can't find it locally via phonebook or a few store visits, so the web is my other choice. Reid tool has it, but they want over $11/ft + shipping. I've found it on other sites for less than $4/ft. Thanks to google.

How do contractors that really need this stuff know where to find it if they don't have a computer? Is there some "good ole boy" network out there that they connect to?/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

I saw a huge threaded rod used for a dam project, must have been 1 1/2"-2". How did they find that?

I'm thinking about stopping by a big construction site and talk to the site forman.

thanks
gary

RobS · Oct 17, 2002

<font color=blue>How do contractors that really need this stuff know where to find it if they don't have a computer</font color=blue>

Most contractors don't spend the time shopping for the best deal. They have a few suppliers they rely on and just make the call when they need something. In your case, they'll probably spend the $11/ft knowing that the product will be there when they need it to keep the job moving. A good local supplier will also be able to recommend other sources for items he/she doesn't carry. Really oddball items may have to be custom fabricated /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

DocHeb · Oct 17, 2002

I find the "hard-to-find" at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/start.shtml>Grainger.com</A>. Couldn't find any Acme-threaded rod, however.