Source for Quality Metric Bolt Assortment

[projectnut]

Over the years I've worked primarily in imperial measurements including fasteners. However as of late I've run into a number of machines that require metric fasteners. Up until now I've run to the local hardware store "as needed" when something metric has been required. The last go around with my Baileigh cold saw was a bit of a nightmare. I must have made half a dozen runs to different local hardware sizes stores to find they either didn't carry the sizes I was looking for or were "temporarily" out of them. When I did finally find ones the I needed the prices were in my estimation outrageous. If I added in the cost of time and gas, I think bolt would be in the $5.00 range.

To save time and hopefully money in the future I think it's time to start stocking the more popular sizes of metric nuts and bolts. I'm thinking of a couple assortments of hex head bolts to begin with. One assortment of 2mm to 6mm in various lengths and thread pitches, and a second with 6mm to 12mm again with various lengths and pitches.

I'm considering something along these lines where the assortment comes in a container with each size and pitch identified. I have no idea whether the ones in the links are of sufficient quality. I would like self-contained assortments to keep them separate from the imperial sizes

575 Piece Metric Bolt Kit Assortment M6-M12 Zinc Class 10.9 / Hardened Grade | eBay

DIN 931 / DIN 933 Hex Cap Screws Zinc Clear. -(60) M6-1.0. -(16) M8-1.25x20 -(5) M12-1.75x30. -(25) M6-1.0x20 -(10) M10-1.5x20. -(20) M6-1.0x25 -(10) M10-1.5x25. -(15) M6-1.0x30 -(8) M10-1.5x30. -(20) M8-1.25x16 -(5) M12-1.75x25.

www.ebay.com

420pcs M2 M3 Stainless Steel Hex Socket Head Cap Screws Nuts Assortment Kit With 733180273420 | eBay

High Quality Stainless Steel Hex Socket Head Cap Screws Nuts Kit. 30pcs M2 X 20 30pcs M2 X 16 30pcs M2 X 12 30pcs M2 X 8 30pcs M2 X 6 60pcs M2 Nuts 30pcs M3 X 20 30pcs M3 X 16 30pcs M3 X 12 30pcs M3 X 8 30pcs M3 X 6 60pcs M3 Nuts.

www.ebay.com

 

[Winegrower]

I have purchased a collection of metric fasteners, M8 to M12 from Redding Fasteners (the first link) and have been pleased beyond my expectations. I would recommend them.

 

[Mitch Alsup]

I generally just buy the longer bolts and when I have an application for the short bolt, I cut the excess length off,......

 

[Bi11Hudson]

eBay is covered up with metric screw/bolt kits. But as a rule, I think they are not that strong, being more like the Japanese motorcycles were built from in times past. I think of them as Grade 0. Harbor Freight has a little better screws but not by much. Lowe's and Home Depot have fairly good screws but they sell them by the each. And damned proud of them. . . I use a lot of small screws, as small as 1.5mm. My experience with larger screws or bolts is limited. The vendor posted is my source for small stuff. They list larger, and good quality screws, but I'm not much interested in high grade fasteners.

Product Catalog - Bolt Depot

www.boltdepot.com

is a link to my recent purchase of a quantity. I don't think they sell in small quantities.

.

 

[jpackard56]

I too have used boltdepot.com the last couple years. Metric, Imperial and even wood screws. Often get 50 for the price of 4-6 pcs from Lowes. Usually shows up in about two-three days, been pleased with everything. Last order had a 100 #0 by 1/4 brass wood screws for less than 8 at Lowes !! (and that wasn't counting the 45miles each way)
Jim

 

[ChazzC]

Bolt Depot will sell any quantity, from 1 to 1,000 (multiple thousands). They also have a limited selection of metric fastener assortments with either metal trays or plastic boxes. I create a saved cart for each project I’m planning then place an order once I have a reasonably large order to save on shipping (not unreasonable cost since they use flat rate boxes, but I try to fill a box). They pack each item in clearly labeled zip bags, but do combine the same item from multiple carts into one bag which can make it frustrating sorting through shipments.

 

[mattthemuppet2]

Whenever I've needed bolts (and it pains me to buy them) I've searched around on Amazon or ebay and bought a box of 50 or 100 for $5-6. Might take a little while, but they'll last you for ages!

 

[Batmanacw]

See if you have a local store that sells bolts by the pound.

I have one 50 minutes nw @ $3.50 lb and 30 minutes sw @ $6 lb. They don't have every single thing I want but they have a lot. I bought every size and length I could in English and Metric in bolts, cap screws, button head, flat head, and shoulder bolts. I probably have 500 lbs of bolts and they are extremely organized. I still have a ways to go before I'll be content.

I need to work on button head and flat head in 8, 10, 12, 14mm. I can't get all I need local.

 

[projectnut]

Thanks for the info everyone. About the only sources for metric hardware around here are the hardware stores. The farm stores still have huge selections of imperial bolts, but almost nothing in the way of metrics. Both the hardware and farm stores only sell metrics by the piece rather than by the pound like the imperial stuff. The piece rate is usually in the $1.25 to $2.00 for the 6mm and 8mm sizes and considerably higher for the 10mm and 12mm. I'll be checking out the assortments from the bolt Depot and Redding next week.

As for buying longer lengths and cutting them to size I did that in a pinch for a couple projects. Unfortunately, most of my projects and repairs are subject to weather and often wash down chemicals. More than once the cut end of the bolts rusted and left brown stains down the side of a machine. I like to avoid that if at all possible.

 

[RJSakowski]

Being from the Madison area, I share your concern over lack of supply from local merchants. Years ago, I stocked up on Imperial bolts and nuts at Farm and Fleet and I am still working though that inventory. I would love tho do the same for metric fasteners. For smaller fasteners, I have bought full boxes from Dorn Ace Hardware at Midvale at a reasonable price.

Fastenal in Middleton would sell small quantities at very reasonable price, almost embarrassingly so. I know some Fastenal outlets don't do retail sales and this was before I retired in 2013 so I don't know if this is still the case. I suspect that if you put together a list of various sizes and quantities of say 20 or so pieces each, large enough to make up a sizable order, they would still to so.

Let us know how you make out.