Author Topic: Hardware etc. (Read 2456 times)

BMCMOTO · « **on:** February 22, 2022, 10:45:49 AM »

I am looking for a line of stainless metric socket head bolts without the knurling / jimping / reading on the bolt head. Does anyone have a reliable source. I absolutely hate the cheap a** look that puts on everything they are used on that meets the eye.

Brian

Ncdan · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2022, 11:42:41 AM »

Quote from: bmc5733946 on February 22, 2022, 10:45:49 AM

I am looking for a line of stainless metric socket head bolts without the knurling / jimping / reading on the bolt head. Does anyone have a reliable source. I absolutely hate the cheap a** look that puts on everything they are used on that meets the eye.

Brian

Auto fasteners business in your area,
possibly?
Online search?
Grind off and polish out?

AJ Huff · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2022, 12:14:21 PM »

Maybe try Stainless Cycle. I bought from him LONG time ago. It was a good kit. He's still around on ebay. Quick internet search will land you there. You can also call him.

-AJ

John Croucher · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2022, 12:21:37 PM »

McMaster Carr. These are food grade fasteners. Smooth so bad stuff does not grow in the grooves.

Large selection, fast delivery, easy to use web site.

guzzista · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2022, 12:22:18 PM »

https://www.mcmaster.com/screws/socket-head-screws/

LowRyter · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2022, 12:24:14 PM »

I know that Ace Hardware has a special section of polished fasteners (stainless or chrome?). At my store it's in a separate aisle from the normal stuff. One caution, I've noticed that many of their drawers are bare. I had to go to two stores for a pair of matching bolts, ended up getting one in stainless & the other in black.

BMCMOTO · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2022, 12:45:29 PM »

I have the McMaster app and had looked there but must not have looked very well because sure enough there they are. Thanks for the push in the right direction!

Brian

dxhall · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2022, 01:30:15 PM »

I have spent quite a bit of time searching for quality hardware.

I’ve concluded that, unless you are buying something like ARP rod bolts from ARP, virtually everything you get (including hardware from McMaster Carr) will be made in China. The quality of this stuff varies wildly, and there’s no way to know what you’ll get until you get it.

Given this sad fact, I’ve concluded that the best source for metric hardware is ebay. Make sure it’s being shipped from a US warehouse, and hope for the best.

BMCMOTO · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2022, 02:53:10 PM »

I spoke with a fella at big metric bolt supplier earlier today who was not interested in shipping small quantities. I asked him about the knurling issue, he said that most of those bolts came from China or India as it is a more economical way of production. The smooth production bolts come mainly from Taiwan and Japan according to him. I have found it almost impossible to source hardware of any type that is made in the USA, seems that's just the way it is sadly. Same with bearings apparently, marketed and warehoused in the USA but thats all.

Brian

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2022, 04:14:50 PM »

Quote from: dxhall on February 22, 2022, 01:30:15 PM

I’ve concluded that, unless you are buying something like ARP rod bolts from ARP, virtually everything you get (including hardware from McMaster Carr) will be made in China. The quality of this stuff varies wildly, and there’s no way to know what you’ll get until you get it.

I buy quite a bit of metric hardware from McMaster-Carr and better than 50% of it is made in the US or Canada. <shrug>

BMCMOTO · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2022, 04:49:37 PM »

That's great to know Charlie thank you. I have bought a lot from them but not lately, used to use them at work. My memory doesn't work like it used to, I'm sure I knew about the smooth finish thing in the past just long forgotten apparently. I should make notes about things like this and put them in my plano bolt boxes to help my memory. I'll probably forget to put the notes in the boxes now.

Brian

dxhall · « **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2022, 06:00:23 PM »

I wish that were my experience, Charlie. From McMaster:

kirby1923 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 22, 2022, 06:21:59 PM »

Quote from: bmc5733946 on February 22, 2022, 10:45:49 AM

I am looking for a line of stainless metric socket head bolts without the knurling / jimping / reading on the bolt head. Does anyone have a reliable source. I absolutely hate the cheap a** look that puts on everything they are used on that meets the eye.

Brian

FWIW

I have taken to using ARP hardware for all my needs for some time. Used them on all the race machines even the bagger race bike. They probably have anything you need.

:-)

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2022, 07:18:13 PM »

Quote from: dxhall on February 22, 2022, 06:00:23 PM

I wish that were my experience, Charlie. From McMaster:

Taiwan. Better quality than being made in (mainland) China in my experience.

rschrum · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2022, 07:26:25 PM »

Try ProBolt. They have high quality stainless and titanium.

dxhall · « **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2022, 08:01:56 PM »

I just received some Honda rotor bolts from Pro Bolt. These have an unusual shouldered shank and large head. Quality was excellent.

Navydad · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2022, 08:45:24 AM »

Quote from: LowRyter on February 22, 2022, 12:24:14 PM

I know that Ace Hardware has a special section of polished fasteners (stainless or chrome?). At my store it's in a separate aisle from the normal stuff. One caution, I've noticed that many of their drawers are bare. I had to go to two stores for a pair of matching bolts, ended up getting one in stainless & the other in black.

My local ACE has a great selection.

Markcarovilli · « **Reply #17 on:** February 23, 2022, 10:37:08 AM »

just bought some bolts, washers and nuts from ACE Hardware - 4 total bolts M-8 & M-10 and all Stainless

total bill was over $25 US

crazy but needed them....

Mark

BMCMOTO · « **Reply #18 on:** February 23, 2022, 11:10:35 AM »

So my order from McM Carr arrived this am here's what arrived.

A mixture of knurled and smooth from several countries.
Knurled from China & Taiwan
Smooth from China & Malyasia
I think that there is no relying on the images provided as they all appeared smooth. I did check ARP & Probolt neither carried the sizes I was seeking. Neither ARP nor Probolt had much selection of allen / socket head screws. I'm done for now but would like to find a source for future wants / needs.

Brian

LowRyter · « **Reply #19 on:** February 23, 2022, 11:56:11 AM »

Quote from: Navydad on February 23, 2022, 08:45:24 AM

My local ACE has a great selection.

Interesting to know. I thought the shortage might have to do with supply chain issues. So perhaps it's just the a problem due to incompetence of the local franchise?

News:

Author Topic: Hardware etc. (Read 2456 times)