Shop supplies / Good? Bad?

[BAILEIGH INC]

Who do you use for consumables? Blades, belts, coolant, gas, wire...etc

Grainger
Praxair
Fastenal
Praxair
MSC
Airgas

Did I miss anyone?
http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=121

 

[2mbb]

I like using Mcmaster Carr. The Mcmaster Carr experience is more like flipping through a catalog and it's easier to find something if you don't know exactly what you want. McMaster Carr delivery to my home is very predictable. The disadvantage to McMC over some of the others is that they don't let on who the OEM is so you don't always know what you are getting.

Grainger will only sell to businesses. I use them for work-stuff but I find their web interface to be more difficult to find something for the first time. Grainger delivery to my work is less predictable (than McMC) but I don't know if that is them or us.

I've only used MSC once so far but it was a good experience.

 

[Doug_S]

I'd use Grainger if they'd open up their selling practice to "normal" people. Thier prices are generally very good.

 

[zebrabeefj40]

The local Indiana Oxygen store or Weldco for welding/cutting gases. Also get welding rod and TIG supplies from them. Grinding wheels, flap wheels and sanding disks come from Lowes/Home Depot/Tractor Supply - whoever I happen to be driving past when I remember I need that stuff. Been using the Hobart solid MIG wire from Tractor Supply lately though I like the Lincoln wire from Home Depot too. Used some generic wire from an independent welding supply shop I didn't like much after I tried the Hobart and Lincoln stuff.

For machine shop consumables I've used MSC and J&L most in the past. Have also used quite a few local places when I "gotta have it right now to finish a job on time - damn the cost". Or when I need inserts plus some technical support that MSC/J&L don't have. McMaster for small quantities of random materials or fasteners that no one else has. Have not really used Grainger much; always seemed to find what I wanted for a better deal somewhere else (better deal being either cheaper, faster or with less hassle).

Nick

 

[LC_Hamma]

I thought Praxair bought Airgas At least that's what the Praxair dudes said. I get all my gas & welding/ plasma supplies there. Specialty tools & fasteners at Threads For The South or McMaster-Carr. Rarely go to Grainger or order from MSC Grade 8 hwde. at Sentry or ACE. HD/ Lowes for everyday consumables.

 

[craptabulous]

any grainger supplier is about 200% over priced , only used as a last resort for me .

the fasteners isn't horribly over priced but everything else just makes me sick .

 

[SKINNER]

ENCO - for all my consuables (blades, cut off wheels, abrasives, etc.) they run good sales & have a respectable selection.

Local welding shop for wire & gas.

 

[MOfj40]

ENCO - for all my consuables (blades, cut off wheels, abrasives, etc.) they run good sales & have a respectable selection.

They are a subsidiary of MSC, btw.


I'm the Maint Manager for a food manufacturing facility. I started off buying from Grainger and Fastenal because they have local branches - convenient. However, I switched over to MSC about 2 years ago because their pricing is so much better. Granted, my volume is such that I get a sizable discount that joe homeowner won't, but even comparing list prices they are very competitive. There's a Fastenal a 1/2 block from my plant, but they are stupid expensive on their fasteners so I only stop in there if I need something right away.

I still use McMaster for odds and ends because you can buy in low quantities. For instance, if I need one M16x40mm dowel pin I can buy them individually from McMaster, whereas MSC's minimum quantity on that item is 100. McMaster is more expensive, but they have a good selection and their website is easily the best of the group.

Another good one is abrasives4sale.com - Industrial Abrasives Direct. I've used their cutoff wheels and conditioning disks with good success. Their prices are great. The only reason I quit using them was MSC agreed to match their prices (and I get free shipping with MSC) so it's more convenient for me to order from one place.

Gas comes from the local welding shop. Airgas is much cheaper but is 45 minutes away and we don't consume enough to have them deliver.

 

[Trollhole]

Who do you use for consumables? Blades, belts, coolant, gas, wire...etc

Grainger
Praxair
Fastenal
Praxair
MSC
Airgas

Did I miss anyone?
http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=121

I use Travers for tooling mostly because they are a few miles from me and I just go pick it up. https://www.travers.com/Default.asp

Consumables I use the local welding supply store down from the house