[Towertalk] Buying nuts and bolts [was "Mosley"]

[WA2BPE]

Three good sources for a huge selection of fasteners, tools (and other "stuff) are:

http://www.smallparts.com/      (good for small quantities otherwise expensive)
http://www.mcmaster.com/      (good for box-sized quantities; good$$; fast
delivery)
http://www.mscdirect.com/       (large quantities; good $$; fast delivery)

And I am sure there are mny other good sources.  I have had good luck with all
three of the above noted.  Yes, it can indeed be a "war" trying to find things!

73,

Tom - WA2BPE



Jim Idelson wrote:

> 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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