Nuts, bolts and screws

[Swagman105]

Am lucky to have a bush property where I keep half my astro gear, but still find myself moving gear between there and home a lot.
I seem to be forever losing or leaving behind or sometimes damaging nuts, bolts and screws.
I know its a quite general question but does anyone know of a good single site for ordering generic replacements or indeed upgrades for these nuts, bolts and screws etc rather than trying to order small single specific items from the original manufacturers.

[bojan]

Bunnings....

[Startrek]

I buy all my Astro fixing hardware etc... from Bolts and Industrial Supplies , they are a national supplier. prices are ok but not the cheapest. I use them as they have everything in every size and usually in stock
www.bolt.com.au
Melbourne phone number 1300 852 338
I’ve ordered quantities of bolts , nuts , washers both in mild steel , galvanised and stainless as low as 5 of each and they will supply ( but you still pay same delivery charge for 5 or 50 though )
Hope the above helps

[AstroApprentice]

I have used Bolt King a lot
https://boltking.com.au/
Small quantities can be ordered on their eBay site and they ship quickly.
https://www.ebay.com.au/str/boltkingonline

[Pepper]

Try a local nut and bolt distributor. At our local, if you only need a couple at screws they will just give em to ya.
Bunnings May have a good range, but damn their nuts and bolts are expensive!

[Startrek]

IMO Bunnings have a limited range of fasteners , especially in the small quantity packets
I was after some M8 and M6 stainless Allen key head cap screws for my losmandy bars and tried 2 Bunnings both had nothing.Also some other items like spring washers and Star washers in stainless , once again they had nothing
I still visit Bunnings from time to time but not for fixing hardware
That’s why I went to a company like Bolts and Industrial, they have everything in all sizes and finishes
My 2 cents.......

[taminga16]

Bolts and Fasteners Bendigo. sales@boltfast.com.au

[Wavytone]

Accu.co.uk have an extensive range, nice prices and no order is too small - even tiny grub screws. A small order may take 2 weeks to arrive as it will be by post.

Let the fingers do the walking - easier than driving to Bunnings, and it’s not worth wasting a day driving across Sydney and back for a few stainless metric nuts and bolts.

[Rainmaker]

I get everything from Specialty Fasteners.......

[Merlin66]

MBA Miniature Bearings Australia have looked after my needs since I came back.
Good selection and very help full (also timing belts and pulleys)
https://www.minibearings.com.au/store/categories/screws+grub+categories/?v=3792

[Swagman105]

Thanks everyone for their input on this.
I will keep this thread as a resource list.
Off forum I have also been made aware that an AliExpress search "stainless steel screws" or "Hercules thumb screws"will also bring up some interesting options.
Handy but if you want something now not as useful as local.

[Pepper]

ill vouch for minature bearings Australia.
just bought some belts of them. super fast to regional nsw..

[Swagman105]

Just adding to my own post, I have also been made aware of an American site called appropriately "Scopestuff" which has lots of bits and pieces, screws and maybe hard to get things for different mounts and scopes.
Search " scopestuff.com"

[alval]

I do an ebay search first now, most of the places like bolt and nut and fastener warehouse have listings and stores as well as international stores, and postage is generally pretty quick for small stuff. The key is to get the right description and terminology for what you are looking for, like cheesehead, socket head, roundhead, thumbscrew, etc. The greatest advantage using this method is they usually have options for varying amounts. I build model engines and have found harder to get smaller nuts and screws. Which if going through a place like Universal or Colmark fasteners will get it in for you but because its not a regular item will only sell them by the box.
Al

[Swagman105]

Al I think you are right about getting descriptions and terminology right for this sort of stuff. I only wish astro gear manufacturers would somehow identify what are the specs of their fasteners. I have a lot of trouble identifying screw and bolt sizes Metric or imperial? TPI for something that is missing and as you say terminology - I had never heard of "cheesehead". I suppose in the end it may be a good idea just to tote the whole mount or piece of gear around to the local fastener place and try out something for fit.

[alval]

I think the majority of stuff is metric from europe and japan, even meade uses metric threads. But then there is standard and fine. I know bunnings has a board with metric, whitworth and unc etc, male and female threads to try before you buy so to speak to find the right thread, or you could always get a cheap set of thread pitch gauges off ebay. Measure the OD then thread pitch and you’ll know what you need.

[Swagman105]

Al my wife sends you her thanks because I just ordered a thread pitch gauge on ebay.

[alval]

Not sure if the photo is legible, but with a cheap set of verniers and thread gauges off ebay you can work out any standard threads your are likely to encounter with this chart. Sits on my wall in the shed.