The Best Buys In Small Parts

One caution when dealing with hardware store fasteners is that even a Grade 8-rated bolt may not be as strong as advertised. This is the typical bolt marking for a Grade 5 (left) and Grade 8 (right). A Grade 8 bolt is rated by the SAE as having a yield strength of 130,000 psi. Yield strength is defined as the load applied before it begins to permanently deform.

One caution when dealing with hardware store fasteners is that even a Grade 8-rated bolt m

We also discovered a local automotive fastener company called TMK. Prices from this company for typical Grade 5, 8, and stainless capscrews are seriously less than any other place we've found. According to TMK, steel prices have come down as of late, and while many other outlets have retained their previous pricing, TMK has decided to pass along this cost savings to its customers. While TMK's prices are excellent, the company does not have a website-but a new catalog is on the way. If you know what you want, you can get a quote over the phone pretty quickly. We priced three of the most common fasteners, and at these prices you can definitely afford a collection.

Just to give you a comparison, we priced a package of three 3/8x1-inch stainless steel bolts for $3.89 at a national chain hardware store. On a single bolt comparison, the hardware store is 13 times the TMK price, not counting shipping. While convenience is with the hardware store, the prices are painful. We found a similar situation with Grade 8 fasteners. The hardware store wanted 40 cents each for 3/8x1 bolts, while TMK's price was less than 9 cents, both based on a box of 100. Of course, you'll need to determine the various sizes and lengths you might want, but at these prices you can easily afford multiple boxes in various sizes. Then you can perform a ceremony and finally bury that can full of rusty bolts.