McMaster Carr is also a good source, Jim. Their prices are decent and they
specify the grade of steel that you are getting. Web orders are generally
shipped the same day. Their whole 4 inch thick catalog is available on their
website with search features.
73 de Mike, W4EF..................
P.S. The usual disclaimer applies, I have no financial interest in McMaster
Carr. I am just a frequent and satisfied customer.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Idelson" <k1ir@designet.com>
To: "TowerTalk Post" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2002 5:41 AM
Subject: Re: [Towertalk] Buying nuts and bolts [was "Mosley"]
> That Mosley story is truly exasperating. The experience of buying a very
small
> quantity of nuts and bolts from ANY manufacturer is often similar. It
takes a
> lot of time, the prices seem out-of-whack [Mosley is clearly leading in
this
> category], and you often pay more in S/H than the cost of the parts. And,
when
> you head over to the local hardware store, the prices are high and your
> selection is limited. Even the big places like Home Depot and Loews have a
> disappointing range of options. Quality is also a problem. When you buy a
> stainless steel part from these guys, you are getting the lowest/cheapest
grade
> available.
>
> But, there is hope! You CAN get great service and great hardware at
reasonable
> prices! Here are two options:
> 1. Friends in our own Amateur Radio community are often the best
resource. I
> have had great experience with guys like these:
> Antronics of Oregon -
http://www.reprise.com/antronics/antronics.asp
> Stan Griffiths, W7NI - w7ni@easystreet.com
> I know there are others, too, and my apologies for not
remembering
> them here.
>
> 2. You might also be able to find a local supplier under the category of
> "Fasteners - Industrial". In the Boston area we have a company called
Albeco
> Fastener and Supply Company - http://www.albecofast.com. My experience
with
> them is fantastic. You leave their place with a little plastic bag of
super
> high quality stainless steel hardware. The experience is best compared to
> visiting the penny candy store. Prices are in the same ballpark. Once,
after I
> had completed a transaction for about $12 worth of hardware [two bags!], I
> realized I needed a couple more parts. The guy went out back and grabbed
the
> pieces and handed them to me saying, "Don't worry about it". If they had a
> tipping jar at the counter, I would have tossed in a five and still felt
like I
> got a bargain!
>
> One additional thing to note. A lot of our antenna manufacturers make
custom
> U-bolts and other hardware. What a pain! In the past, if I found a better,
> stronger, standard U-bolt that fit, but required me to drill out the holes
a
> bit, I would take that risk. I wouldn't do this on a new antenna, but
we're
> usually refurbishing some pretty old stuff, right? This is not what the
> manufacturer would want, of course, but when the manufacturer makes life
> difficult, there may be no other good choice.
>
> 73,
>
> Jim Idelson K1IR
> email k1ir@designet.com
> web http://www.designet.com/k1ir
>
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