I relish having to go to the local hardware store. I usually pick up a tool or 2 or consumable while I am there. And buying nuts/bolts in person lets you match them up with the correct nuts and washers to ensure you are getting the right stuff.
The local mom and pop hardware store beats those prices at the above website -- at least on the 10 5/16" carriage bolts I bought recently to rebuild a wheelbarrow.
Most auto parts stores have individual SAE in the back of the store for sale in various lengths. I know I sale customers individual cotter pins and other hardware it makes my manager mad...but the customer is happy as they did not have to pay the $2.49 packaged deal on the floor. Nothing like needing one bolt of a certain thread and four different lengths. Can cost you $10 on the floor or less than a dollar from the back. Can be that you may need to ask if they carry them.
Just last week I needed a couple odd screws, replacing the ones that hold on the handles of a couple pots and pans. 10/32 and 1/4 20 are nothing special even in Stainless, but Home Depot only had heads too wide to fit in the handle. I ended up a day later at the local industrial hardware store McFadden Dale and got some hex drive narrow enough. Next stop would have been ordering from http://www.mcmaster.com/
No hardware store in my area sells anything by the pound. They only sell 10-packs that cost $8. It's a waste of materials and money.
I'm assuming there's someone out there willing to toss 2 bolts into an envelope and mail it for a buck.
The way things are going, it is generally cheaper to have something mailed to you than to go down the street and buy it locally. I'm on board when it's cheaper to sit at home and get it delivered to your door, instead of driving somewhere, looking around around, waiting in lines, dealing with people, etc.
I buy most things off Ebay and Amazon. Just like the China sellers on Ebay. I can get a cell battery delivered to my door for $4, shipped over from freakin' China.
Agreed. Great selection, great customer service, fast ship....and they'll sell you a single bolt if that's all you need!
Thanks! www.Boltdepot.com is $6 for shipping. If I need 2 or 3 different types, this will be a better deal than the local store or HD, which makes you buy a 50-pack of each tpye of bolt you want.
Funny, but the hardware store is literally the LAST place on earth I would think of buying hardware at.
Most legit local hardware stores will sell individual bolts - - based on weight. Heck, at Tractor Supply you can buy all kinds of bolts, washers, nuts, by the ounce - - - it's my Go-To place for that stuff.
OP . . . do you not have Home Depot or Lowes near you . . . they have small packages, and some even have loose items??
Why would you not want to put money back into local economy?? Where you located?? Any local Ace or True Value hardware store ?? These generally have some of the BEST customer service you'll find ANYWHERE in country.
Thanks! www.Boltdepot.com is $6 for shipping. If I need 2 or 3 different types, this will be a better deal than the local store or HD, which makes you buy a 50-pack of each tpye of bolt you want.
Funny, but the hardware store is literally the LAST place on earth I would think of buying hardware at.
Wow. The local hardware store (mom and pop) near me sells them by the piece. They have a wall of clearly marked bins (sorted by size and length). Each 6" carriage bolt was only 40 cents. You must be in a hardware deprived area.
I love the place. They even have free coffee.
Wow. The local hardware store (mom and pop) near me sells them by the piece. They have a wall of clearly marked bins (sorted by size and length). Each 6" carriage bolt was only 40 cents. You must be in a hardware deprived area.
I love the place. They even have free coffee.
www.nutty.com has a 25pc minimum on bolts. But, www.boltdepot.com sells them for 74 cents.
So, it's about $7/delivered to my door for 1 bolt.
A local store would make me buy at least a 5-pack which would cost $8 or so.
Maybe more.
So, for just 1 bolt, it's a toss up. I rarely ever need something same day, so internet it is. Moreover, if I am buying 2 different types of bolts, now I am looking at $16 at the local store (for two 5-packs), or about $9 delivered with combined shipping. Internet definitely wins if you're buying more than 1 type. If you need 5 different bolts, you're looking at almost $50 at the local store. Screw them!! And I save time, money, gas, and can stay in my underwear relaxing at home eating takeout!
Thanks, this thread was helpful. Totally confirmed that it's cheaper to have someone hand deliver something from across the country than to buy it down the street. Messed up world we live in!
WTF man, do you not have an Ace franchise nearby? I don't think I've ever seen an Ace without a pretty decent bolts-in-bins selection. The prices are higher than buying bulk, but you don't have to buy bulk, either.
Ever tried McMaster-Carr? A buddy that used to work in engineering at a power plant turned me on to them. They ship ridiculously fast, and relatively cheap... they're like the Amazon on the hardware-and-miscellaneous-industrial-crap world IMO. I've placed fairly small orders and had them show up overnight, with about $3 shipping. They do have minimums on some hardware, though.
I've also had success conning Fastenal into letting me break a package after they decided they weren't going to do that anymore. I've run into a few managers who've figured out that they won't end up with more than one open package per at any time, and they'll sell a lot more product.
^ ^ ^ What COUNTRY do you live in?? . . . . or do you really live OUT in the country . . . .. the boonies ??
Where there is a Home Depot, there almost always is a Lowes within 3 miles. Where there is a HD and Lowes, there are 5 or more other smaller hardware stores (independent or Ace / True Value) within 10 miles.
Within 10 mile radius of where I live, I've got probably 50 available stores that sell typical bolts, nuts, washers, etc.
^ ^ ^ What COUNTRY do you live in?? . . . . or do you really live OUT in the country . . . .. the boonies ??
Where there is a Home Depot, there almost always is a Lowes within 3 miles. Where there is a HD and Lowes, there are 5 or more other smaller hardware stores (independent or Ace / True Value) within 10 miles.
Within 10 mile radius of where I live, I've got probably 50 available stores that sell typical bolts, nuts, washers, etc.
^^^ This. And they all sell bolts individually.
No, I actually live in a densely populated area very close to a large Coastal city.
Ace Hardware?
I haven't heard that name in decades.
Didn't they go under back in the s?
The only game in town is Home Depot, which is 20 mins. away.
Not exactly convenient. Lowes in the next county. Not an option
Both are too far, but I will call and see if they sell loose bolts, in case I need same day.
There is one mom and pop hardware store that I know of within a 10 minute drive. But, they are the ones who only sell 10-packs. In fact, they only sell stupid gimmicky junk and aren't even a real hardware store anymore. Like I said, the local hardware store is the LAST place I'd buy hardware. I bought a spray paint can there for like $13. Screw them!! High margin, low volume sellers like this always have the worst prices since they can't compete with the big retailers...
Ace Hardware?
Haven't heard that name in decades.
Didn't they go under back in the s?
Not unless I somehow invented time travel several times a week without knowing it.
Or maybe they did and got restructured or bought, elephino. What I do know is that most of the ones I've been into have had a hardware selection rivaling Fastenal, in fact better in <1/4" stuff. Hell, the one where I lived in Oregon sold a good bit of basic hardware by the pound, too.
No, I actually live in a densely populated area very close to a large Coastal city.
Ace Hardware?
I haven't heard that name in decades.
Didn't they go under back in the s?
The only game in town is Home Depot.
It looks like there is a Lowes in the next county. Home Depot is 20 mins away.
Both are too far, but I will call and see if they sell loose bolts, in case I need same day.
There is one mom and pop hardware store that I know of within a 10 minute drive.
But, they are the ones who only sell 10-packs. High margin, low volume sellers like this always have the worst prices since they can't compete with the big retailers
They have Ace everywhere, why not post up your location and someone could help you find a local solution, shipping one or two bolts is not going to be cost effective.
You sound like the ideal McMaster Carr customer. They have pretty much every fastener a guy could ever want, and if you call before 5:30 they ship same day.
Still, it's a better bang for your buck if you can get to a tractor supply or family farm and home and buy by the pound.
Still, some other names for you to check out,
MSC, Fastenal, and Reid Supply. They are all in the fastener game.
Are you in the Witness Protection Program ? This site has members worldwide. If we knew where you are surely someone can help. Knowing where to go for small items locally isn't a one time thing. It will come in handy hundreds of times over your lifetime. If you need a sparkplug for your lawnmower do you order it online ? I guess I just don't get it. We're garage guys here. I would bet that 99% of us have just as much fun poking around an old school hardware store just seeing what they have as our wives do looking at shoes. You must be the exception...
How do you define bulk? My Fastenal will sell me fasteners individually. I really don't see the problem with buying a box and keeping the leftovers in a bolt bin or divided trays... A guy can never have too many fasteners.
A few years ago they decided they only sell boxes and bags anymore and wouldn't break bulk.
Like I said, I've gotten a few to break that policy. AFAIK their idea was that selling singles, people were rat-****ing the packages and they'd have a dozen packages of xx/package that were all missing some quantity. Never mind that all you have to do is leave one open package... if it has 8 left and I need 14, I'll take those 8 and open another package for the other 6- voila, still only one open package at a time.
Some, however, will not 'let' you open a package. Dumb.
How do you define bulk? My Fastenal will sell me fasteners individually. I really don't see the problem with buying a box and keeping the leftovers in a bolt bin or divided trays... A guy can never have too many fasteners.
I hear you, but I am the opposite of this. I want as little extra junk as possible. I have one little baggie with a couple of extra bolts, and that's it. I don't want to be another dead guy who needs an entire garage full of random crap to be cleared out.
Ever see Hoarders? I want to be the opposite of that. I have been pretty good about throwing out all those "Well, this random thing could come in handy one day" If I need something again in 10 years, I will just buy it again on the 1% odds I actually do need it again. I like to keep a very tight uncluttered ship.
Are you in the Witness Protection Program ? This site has members worldwide. If we knew where you are surely someone can help. Knowing where to go for small items locally isn't a one time thing. It will come in handy hundreds of times over your lifetime. If you need a sparkplug for your lawnmower do you order it online ? I guess I just don't get it. We're garage guys here. I would bet that 99% of us have just as much fun poking around an old school hardware store just seeing what they have as our wives do looking at shoes. You must be the exception...
Location ? Do you live on a space station ? I agree, maybe he's a double agent ? If he had a Farm and Fleet nearby they would have a assortment.
Oh, maybe he's looking for a 2''x 12'' long bolt and nut. I have what you need but I can't tell you what it is.
OP . . . . at bare minimum,
you've GOT to list your STATE !!!
This thread is going off to BONKY edge of reality.
Are you a teenager who has never left your neighborhood ?? . . . and just got internet for the first time ??
Do you know you can put "hardware store CITY STATE" into Google and likely get everything you can ever need to find 50 local hardware stores in your area?? (of course you'll have to put in REAL information for CITY STATE search)
I know how to search. As I stated earlier, there is one remaining hardware store in town that sucks, and there is a Home Depot 20 mins. away. Lowes is even further. There are no Ace stores in my area. There is no such thing as a "farm and tractor supply store" in my part of the country.
I will call HD and see if they sell loose bolts.
If so, then it's cheaper than online.
If they only sell in packs, then these websites cost the same or less to deliver.
I know how to search. As I stated earlier, there is one remaining hardware store in town that sucks, and there is a Home Depot 20 mins. away. Lowes is even further. There are no Ace stores in my area. There is no such thing as a "farm and tractor supply store" in my part of the country.
I will call HD and see if they sell loose bolts.
If so, then it's cheaper than online.
If they only sell in packs, then these websites cost the same or less to deliver.
Wow. You sir, are an odd duck, to put it mildly.
By all means, don't tell anyone even what part of the country it is you live in, since you've decided the easiest and most economical way to buy a small handful of fasteners is to buy them online and ship them. And... wait, what? You don't want spare bolts laying around? I bid you good day!