Paul Cataldo
Stainless
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2004
- Location
- Atlanta, GA
I have been on a look for a source for quality U.S. made fasteners. Not only that, but a source that will sell small quantities of everything.
Not only that, but I would like for said source to have a vast supply of all sorts of fasteners.
It seems that the few source I have found, either sell in large qty only, OR they don't have any fasteners I need.
I am mainly talking about standard SHCS's, hex head fasteners/bolts, but many times I need all sorts of other fasteners in small qty.
Do the rest of you guys on this forum cringe every time you use an import fastener, but you go ahead and do it most of the time, because it's what's readily/easily available at your local hardware store?
Or do a lot of you refuse to use import fasteners.
I'm not referring to projects that simply MUST use U.S. made, but rather, I'm mainly referring to projects that could use either.
I restore a lot of machinery, and I've been struggling with whether or not I should pursue U.S. made fasteners for every last piece on the machine.
I wouldn't even think twice about it, and I'd go U.S. ONLY, IF I had a couple of go-to sources that usually had what I need in stock, and didn't charge me a killing for shipping, or for mandatory quantity ordering.
What do the rest of you guys do for everyday fastener needs? Pursue U.S. made, or just go to your local ACE hdwre and pick up import?
As for now, I have been getting a few things from Mcmaster and MSC, but even that is a lot for shipping, or requires an hour long drive to go pick them up.
I guess there are advantages and disadvantages to both.
Not only that, but I would like for said source to have a vast supply of all sorts of fasteners.
It seems that the few source I have found, either sell in large qty only, OR they don't have any fasteners I need.
I am mainly talking about standard SHCS's, hex head fasteners/bolts, but many times I need all sorts of other fasteners in small qty.
Do the rest of you guys on this forum cringe every time you use an import fastener, but you go ahead and do it most of the time, because it's what's readily/easily available at your local hardware store?
Or do a lot of you refuse to use import fasteners.
I'm not referring to projects that simply MUST use U.S. made, but rather, I'm mainly referring to projects that could use either.
I restore a lot of machinery, and I've been struggling with whether or not I should pursue U.S. made fasteners for every last piece on the machine.
I wouldn't even think twice about it, and I'd go U.S. ONLY, IF I had a couple of go-to sources that usually had what I need in stock, and didn't charge me a killing for shipping, or for mandatory quantity ordering.
What do the rest of you guys do for everyday fastener needs? Pursue U.S. made, or just go to your local ACE hdwre and pick up import?
As for now, I have been getting a few things from Mcmaster and MSC, but even that is a lot for shipping, or requires an hour long drive to go pick them up.
I guess there are advantages and disadvantages to both.
) cut into them. 
But they seem OK. I wouldn't replace my wife's car's cylinder head bolt with them, but not had any problems. They work in tool holders without rounding out. The fasteners purchased in assortment packs are not as good, but not total crap either. They are OK for not heavy torque areas. Most of the really crappy screws I've come across have been part of a crappy product. Sometimes, an otherwise good product. I'm glad to have the links you guys posted... bookmarked!
