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Where do you all get your allen screws? — Parallax Forums

Where do you all get your allen screws?

bulkheadbulkhead Posts: 405
edited 2006-03-09 02:57 in General Discussion
I'm about to start a new robotics project, and this time I plan on using allen screws instead of the phillips head screws I was using. I couldn't find them at Lowes, so I plan to order them online. Can anyone recommend a site? I would like to get some opinions on the screws before ordering...I don't want to have to change out all the screws on my robot after I find out that they strip easily or something. Thanks.

Comments

  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2006-02-26 04:24
    www.newark.com has Allen/hex-head hardware.· As long as you're buying 'stainless' cap screws, there's no "stripping" problem.· Sometimes button heads have a shallow fitting, but stripping here is owing to poor technique (over-tightening, going at them obliquely.)· Avoid using "keys" (get proper drivers), the tendency with these is to over-tighten and jamming the key in cock-eyed.
  • Washer MedicWasher Medic Posts: 39
    edited 2006-02-26 11:57
    try micro fasteners

    Brian

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    Darn I let the white smoke out again
  • bobledouxbobledoux Posts: 187
    edited 2006-02-26 15:24
    Enco.com has the following prices:

    Socket head cap screws:

    #4-40 by 1/4 inch, 430-0017, $3.52 per hundred alloy steel
    #4-40 by 1 inch, 510-0021, $5.91 per hundred, stainless
    #4 SAE flat washers, 891-2835, $0.88 per hundred
    #4-40 lock nuts with nylon inserts, 325-3311, $2.25 per hundred

    #4-40 screws are available up to 2 inches long. But they get expensive when length exceeds 1 inch. Example, 2 inch #4-40 screws are $36.75 per hundred.

    They sell socket head screws starting at size #0-80, on up.

    The local hobby shop charges over a dollar for four screws. One of my typical robots uses 50+ screws, so I buy by the hundred. I find #4-40 meets most of my needs.
  • Steve JoblinSteve Joblin Posts: 784
    edited 2006-02-26 16:27
    did you look at smallparts.com?
  • bulkheadbulkhead Posts: 405
    edited 2006-02-26 18:21
    PJ Allen, thanks for the tip on using them. I'll consider getting a good 4-40 driver so I don't strip out the screws. I guess it doesn't matter now where I get the screws.

    I checked smallparts.com, but they are quite expensive (on products, and especially on shipping!). I'm now leaning towards Enco.com. I just can't decide whether to get the "socket head" type or the "button head" type, or both. Also, is alloy steel better or stainless steel? They are roughly the same price, so if there's any difference...
  • Kenny GardnerKenny Gardner Posts: 169
    edited 2006-02-26 20:27
    McMaster-Carr has a huge variety of Machine Screws, Cap Screws, and Button Head Screws.

    They even have oversized Allen Wrenches so that you don't strip the hole (or the wrench). They are called Hi-Torque L-Key's, and you'll need the 3/32" size for most screws (they have some nice T-Handle ones).

    http://www.mcmaster.com/

    Bottom right, under Fastening and Sealing.

    You'll love how their Web Site helps you narrow your choices, or if you prefer, you can pick directly from the Catalog pages.

    Kenny
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2006-02-27 15:26
    For small quantity....

    Try someone that provides screws for Motorcycle Parts in your local Yellow Pages. No listing? Ask a repair shop.
    Since motorcycles have a lot of vibration, many people switch over to Allen head screws.

    The Phillips need to be set with an impact wrench and get really beat up. At the same time the impact wrench can strip the threads in the aluminum cases.

    Often they have the complimentry self locking nuts too.

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    "When all think alike, no one is thinking very much.' - Walter Lippmann (1889-1974)

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  • StaatsStaats Posts: 22
    edited 2006-02-27 16:48
    To get good life out of a fastener, use a QUALITY tool. Craftsmen allen drivers are too soft to use on smaller (<3mm) fasteners. The R/C Car companies make awesome hardened allen wrenches with handles. A cheap tool will round just about any fastener with repetitive use. I used to race R/C Cars in college - the value of a good tool was quickly realized after using a dremel to remove stripped allen fasteners that stripped out.
  • Alan BradfordAlan Bradford Posts: 172
    edited 2006-02-28 03:38
    Hi,

    Try Fastenal· www.fastenal.com

    They have stores all over the place. Most stock the small hardware. If they dont stock it they usually get it overnight. You can pick it up at the store and do not have to pay shipping charges.

    The drawback is yo uhave to buy them in a bag of 100, but the 4-40 stuff at qty 100 is still cheaper than the hardware store charges for a bag of 5.

    Good Luck,
    Alan Bradford
    Plasma Technologies
    www.plasmatechnologies.com
  • Bill PlanoBill Plano Posts: 14
    edited 2006-03-09 02:57
    You might try your local ACE Hardware, Hobby Shop or Model Train Store.· They usually stock 6-32 and smaller sizes of fasteners. Look in your local Yellow Pages under Fasteners and you might find a source.

    Bill
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