recommendations for assorted fastener kit? (1 Viewer)

[swelltimes]

Has anyone found a fastner kit that they like? I'm looking for something with assorted nuts / bolts / washers, for non-automotive projects and repairs around my house and property.

I live ~30 min. from the big box stores, and true hardware stores are disappearing around here, so finding the right fasteners can be a hassle.

I have bins of misc. fasteners that I've collected over the years, but I'd love to have a collection of stuff that would spare me a bunch of ~1hr round trips.

Thanks!

 

[Weedhopper]

If i need one I always buy two or three of small items like that. I still never have the correct bolt, nut or whatever so I gave up and just go to Ace.

At Ace there is a complete aisle devoted to fasteners. Kidding, I asked one guy if I could buy an aisle stocked like that. The answer was yes, for about $15K.

 

[swelltimes]

Yeah, when our local Ace store was closing, some competitor came in and bought the whole fastener aisle for cheap!

 

[PAToyota]

Yeah, when our local Ace store was closing, some competitor came in and bought the whole fastener aisle for cheap!

Well, I wouldn’t call myself a “competitor”…

 

[swelltimes]

View attachment 1564277

Well, I wouldn’t call myself a “competitor”…

Haha, was that really you?

 

[PAToyota]

Well, I’m not the person you are talking about, but I did get my “hardware store” when a local shop went out of business.

 

[swelltimes]

I was trying to imagine the truck you would have driven up to MA in!

Sounds like a good score. Nice work.

 

[PAToyota]

If you figure in the time and money spent on running over to Lowes or Ace every time you need some fastener or other, it has paid for itself many times over. As a bin starts getting low, I just buy a box of those fasteners. As I see that some of the bins have stuff I’ve never touched, I squirrel away a few (about the time you get rid of something, you always find a use for them), dump the rest in recycling, and reappropriate the bin for something I use more regularly.

 

[swelltimes]

If you figure in the time and money spent on running over to Lowes or Ace every time you need some fastener or other, it has paid for itself many times over. As a bin starts getting low, I just buy a box of those fasteners. As I see that some of the bins have stuff I’ve never touched, I squirrel away a few (about the time you get rid of something, you always find a use for them), dump the rest in recycling, and reappropriate the bin for something I use more regularly.

Yeah man, for sure. I just haven't found a good assortment yet, and most of the local hardware stores are already gone / bought up.

Any body have recommendations on where to look aside from the big box stores? Fastenal has some. Didn't know if a Mud member had any good suggestions, or was in the fastener biz.

 

[swelltimes]

Just found this one: US assortments, Large metal trays, Bolt Assortments, Zinc plated grade 5 steel, Hex bolts (coarse thread) w/ nuts 1/4" - 1/2" - Bolt Depot

Some other good options on the site, too, seems like.

 

[PAToyota]

I haven’t dealt with Bolt Depot myself, but have heard people recommend them. Tractor Supply is another one. I’ve seen people post some pretty good deals from Fastenal - at times they have discounts on assortments that would be a good way to get started.

 

[swelltimes]

OK, I just ordered two kits. Sometimes I drive myself crazy with all the time I spend researching stuff, but I think these were a good buy:

US assortments, Large metal trays, Bolt Assortments, Zinc plated grade 5 steel, Hex bolts (coarse thread) w/ nuts 1/4" - 1/2" - Bolt Depot
Metric assortments, Large metal trays, Metric Bolt Assortments, Stainless steel 18-8 (A-2), Metric stainless hex bolts (coarse thread) w/ nuts, flat washers and lock washers 6mm - 12mm - Bolt Depot

At least I won't have to go duffing around to the big box stores (never have what I need) or the ~ 1 remaining local hardware store that has what I need ~75% of the time. That's how I'm going to justify this purchase to the , anyway!

 

[PAToyota]

Looks like a good start!

 

[tclark]

Our local Ace used to have sales where anything you can fit in a paper sack was marked down, usually 25% or more. I've seen guys in there loading down sacks full of various hardware and fasteners. Seems like a good way to stock up on stuff.

 

[swelltimes]

Our local Ace used to have sales where anything you can fit in a paper sack was marked down, usually 25% or more. I've seen guys in there loading down sacks full of various hardware and fasteners. Seems like a good way to stock up on stuff.

I'll have to keep my eye out for that. Our local hardware stores are struggling, though, so I'd guess I won't see too many of those sales anytime soon.