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Best Place to find Cheap Hardware? — Parallax Forums

Best Place to find Cheap Hardware?

mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
edited 2010-07-08 13:22 in General Discussion
I live in the middle of no where (Brandon, MB N49.8 W99.9) so I need to get everything shipped in.

What I was wondering is if anyone knows of a good place to order screws(especially tiny ones like used on servo motors) at a good price that will also ship to Canada at a good price. So far anyplace I have looked is either very expensive, only has large screws(Home Depot) or charges a lot to ship.

Digikey is usually great but they only seem to carry fine pitch screws and though a 2-56 is a nice diameter it is way to fine pitch to bite nicely into plastic.

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Comments

  • HollyMinkowskiHollyMinkowski Posts: 1,398
    edited 2010-07-05 16:15
    You just might find something on ebay.
    (after much searching)
    Here is a search in the electronics section of ebay.
    electronics.shop.ebay.com/Electronics-/293/i.html?_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1%257C72%253A3030&_nkw=screws&_ipg=200&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14.l1514
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2010-07-05 16:17
    Don't count Amazon out either...

    When I ordered thumbscrews for the Stingray, it was the cheapest option.

    OBC

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  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-07-05 16:19
    problem is ebay is not a reliable material source and it is also painful to find things to a serten spec. You will not likely find to many that list any specs. for example cgi.ebay.com/x100-Replacement-Screws-iPod-Video-Classic-LOT100-/110380934182?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item19b3376426 ok price($0.15 each) free shipping. What size are they?

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-07-05 16:22
    ya amazon in the us is great. it is great in canada for books only [noparse]:([/noparse]

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2010-07-05 16:31
    Here in the UK we have useful companies like this one:

    www.emkaysupplies.co.uk/

    They sell screws in sizes down to M1.6!

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    Leon Heller
    Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
  • HollyMinkowskiHollyMinkowski Posts: 1,398
    edited 2010-07-05 16:32
    mctrivia

    Your avatar, is that some kind of barcode thing??

    If so, what data does it represent.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-07-05 16:34
    yes it is a bar code. if you have a cell phone with a camera you can scan it and it will take you to my web site.

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2010-07-05 16:38
    I tried it with my new Dell Streak tablet, and it worked. I created a few of my own with an on-line program, I thought of getting one put on a T shirt saying something clever.

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    Leon Heller
    Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-07-05 16:39
    Leon that web site has any metric part I could want. in 3 sec I found the part I need to increase my printers build area by 20mm but it costs $0.45 CAN expensive if I needed 1000 I only need 6 so it does not matter. Bet shipping is expensive. Will look into it.

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2010-07-05 16:41
    I can order them for you if you want, and just airmail them to you.

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    Leon Heller
    Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-07-05 16:54
    Thanks. I will see how much direct shipping is. I am in no hurry for those particular parts. Still on the hunt for a really small head screw and a good general supplier.

    For a robot I am building I need a screw with a head no more then 2mm tall(preferably less then 1.5mm) and a diameter of 3mm. Any dimensions bigger then this and I have to make my design a lot more complicated and I am a fan of KISS.

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2010-07-05 17:11
    You could machine down a standard screw, and cut a slot in the head.

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    Leon Heller
    Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-07-05 17:25
    That is an option but not to easy. I an pretty sure the screw exists and it would be better to redo my design then to try custom Making screws.

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • TimmooreTimmoore Posts: 1,031
    edited 2010-07-05 17:46
    How about mcmaster.com, something like http://www.mcmaster.com/#99397a114/=7tx6h1
  • hover1hover1 Posts: 1,929
    edited 2010-07-05 17:50
    I use McMaster-Carr for a lot of hard to find hardware. Here's one part after a very quick search:

    http://www.mcmaster.com/#machine-screws/=7tx6g0

    A little pricey, but it's Stainless. Should be able to get in other materials. Nice thing is you only have to buy 25 at a time.

    Jim
    mctrivia said...
    Thanks. I will see how much direct shipping is. I am in no hurry for those particular parts. Still on the hunt for a really small head screw and a good general supplier.

    For a robot I am building I need a screw with a head no more then 2mm tall(preferably less then 1.5mm) and a diameter of 3mm. Any dimensions bigger then this and I have to make my design a lot more complicated and I am a fan of KISS.

  • hover1hover1 Posts: 1,929
    edited 2010-07-05 17:51
    Looks like Tim and I were typing at the same time!

    My direct link to the particular screw doesn't show up, but you can drill down with you criteria.

    Jim

    Post Edited (hover1) : 7/5/2010 5:58:54 PM GMT
  • hover1hover1 Posts: 1,929
    edited 2010-07-05 18:08
    Phil likes:

    ·http://www.microfasteners.com/index.cfm

    I have heard this company mentioned:

    ·http://www.smallparts.com/


    Post Edited (hover1) : 7/5/2010 6:14:18 PM GMT
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-07-05 18:57
    wow mcmaster-carr is a great site. full specs and even 3d models on some(though not in format I can import direct)

    92125A134 will do for my printer. and only $0.04 each
    98685A225 is small and may do for my robot. Head diameter is 4.12mm which is a little bigger then designed for now but I may be able to skweek the extra 1.12mm out.

    micro fastener has a good selection also. LPP01035 may work but they do not list the dimensions of the screws.

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-07-05 19:09
    98685A225 is bad idea

    92470A098 is a little to big but cheap and might be able to make work.
    99397A214 is expensive but will definitely work. only need 4 per bot.

    now to find out what they charge for shipping.

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2010-07-05 20:02
    www.smallparts.com/

    Rich H

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    The Simple Servo Tester, a kit from Gadget Gangster.
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2010-07-05 22:00
    Try Brafasco (http://www.brafasco.com/default.asp). They have several locations in Canada including one in Winnipeg. I get most of my fasteners from them.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-07-06 21:54
    Mcmaster-Carr will not ship to Canada. Is there anyone that could pick up a few parts and send them air mail to me?

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • hover1hover1 Posts: 1,929
    edited 2010-07-06 23:56
    Matt, that stinks!

    what part of "Shipping orders outside the United States
    We can ship our products throughout the world using air and ocean transportation services. We evaluate international orders from all new customers to determine whether we can accept them." didn't they accept?

    I am on the road or else I would order and ship to you.

    Jim
    mctrivia said...
    Mcmaster-Carr will not ship to Canada. Is there anyone that could pick up a few parts and send them air mail to me?
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-07-07 00:04
    WBA Consulting offered to ship to me but thanks.

    Got to love emails like this:
    David Ulam said...

    Thank you for your order. Unfortunately, due to the ever increasing complexity of United States export regulations, McMaster-Carr will only process orders from a few long-established customers in Canada. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this causes you.



    Thank you,



    David Ulam

    McMaster-Carr Supply Co

    330-995-5929

    Import and export between Canada and the US is simple and pretty strait forward. They just don't like the fact I only ordered $15 worth of parts. Of course that is silly way to look at it. I am ordering $15 worth of parts to build 2 robots which I hope to put into production. That is $7 per robot I sell they would get.

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • hover1hover1 Posts: 1,929
    edited 2010-07-07 01:43
    Where's NAFDA when you need it?
    Jim
    mctrivia said...
    WBA Consulting offered to ship to me but thanks.

    Got to love emails like this:
    David Ulam said...

    Thank you for your order. Unfortunately, due to the ever increasing complexity of United States export regulations, McMaster-Carr will only process orders from a few long-established customers in Canada. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this causes you.



    Thank you,



    David Ulam

    McMaster-Carr Supply Co

    330-995-5929

    Import and export between Canada and the US is simple and pretty strait forward. They just don't like the fact I only ordered $15 worth of parts. Of course that is silly way to look at it. I am ordering $15 worth of parts to build 2 robots which I hope to put into production. That is $7 per robot I sell they would get.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-07-07 01:47
    I think you mean NAFTA don't think the North American Frame Drum Association would do much [noparse]:)[/noparse]

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2010-07-07 04:12
    mctrivia, PM me the parts you need and I will see if I can get them for you locally. Lots of suppliers I deal with in the Toronto area have small and specialty fasteners and other products.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-07-07 04:47
    Thanks for the offer but I have already ordered(via WBA Consulting). shipping will probably cost me a a fair bit but I am running out of time if I want to get this done before I climb Mount Robson in August.

    100x Metric 18-8 SS Flat Head Socket Cap Screw M3 Size, 16mm Length, .50mm Pitch
    20x Type Tri-P Mini Thrd-Form Screw for Plastics Zinc-Pltd Stl, Torx, M1.6 Size, 6mm L, .79mm Pitch

    oh and shipping from Emkay Screw Supplies is very reasonable. they want 1.9 pounds which is under $3 but they only have the first of the 2 screws.

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • K2K2 Posts: 693
    edited 2010-07-07 14:12
    I was just taking a little stroll through Branden (virtually, of course) and liked what I saw. Great panorama of Branden Ave & 11th Street, next to Neelin High School (Go Spartans!). Anyway, with a population of 46,000, and as far from Winnipeg as it is, it's strange that no one sells small hardware. Is there a small appliance repair shop in town? (Small modifies appliance, not shop.) I wonder where they get supplies?

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  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-07-07 14:25
    It is a nice city but unfortunately as you pointed out. it is the second largest city in Manitoba but still really small and it is a 2 hour drive to Winnipeg. There is at least one electronics and appliance repair shop that I know of. But nothing that caries specialty parts like screws smaller then M3 and the closest thing to an electronics part source is "The Source"(circuit city in the US) which has not really caried anything useful in over 10 years.

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
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