best source for screws, nut, standoffs, etc? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: djacobow
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 04:59:29 pm
content: What do you guys think is the best source of assembly hardware?I'd like to have reasonably large piles of both nylon and brass on hand: compatible screws, nuts, and threaded hex standoffs of various lengths. Does anybody sell just a mixed box of these?I've spent some time at the local Home Depot and not really found what I was looking for. Found some at Jameco but the pricing seemed ridiculous. Can get standoffs individually at Mouser, but a kit would be much nicer.Also what size is most common? M3, 4/40, something else?Also would like to have good hardware for attaching heatsinks to TO220s and similar. Again, I can find "kits" that include a little piece of mica, bolt, nut and lock washer, but the pricing seems absurd, especially as I usually make my own simple heatsinks from aluminum stock.-- dave j

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 06:18:52 pm
content: PC stuff generally is M3 so you can buy that in assorted lengths. I keep a bottle of them around for use. Assorted small screws, nuts and standoffs.

author: djacobow
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 06:28:46 pm
content: Thanks. I found some kits on Mouser and Digikey, but I think for this I'm going to hit up fleabay.Quote from: SeanB on July 01, 2014, 06:18:52 pm

author: tjb1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 06:53:18 pm
content: McMaster Carrhttp://www.mcmaster.com/#Bolt Depothttp://www.boltdepot.com/Default.aspxMr Metrichttp://www.mrmetric.com/RTL Fastenershttp://rtlfasteners.com/

author: cowana
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 07:11:44 pm
content: In the UK, you can't beat Toby Electronics for having the exact little bit you need (even when you don't know what it's called) - and their postage isn't too bad either.Toby Electronicshttp://www.toby.co.uk/

author: aroby
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 10:53:16 pm
content: McMaster Carr in the US. There's also a good selection on amazonsupply.com. I've ordered a few bits and pieces from there, but haven't looked specifically for the items you're looking for.Anthony

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2014, 05:33:49 pm
content: I'll third McMaster, even when they don't have the best prices their website is amazing and their shipping is always immediate.When you get into larger quantities,Fastener SuperStoreis good.There's alsoFastenal, who have the advantage of having stores all over the US if you need something right away--there are 5 locations within a 15minute drive here--although the stores don't stock everything or large quantities. Pricing as compared to other vendors varies from item to item.

author: Prime73
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2014, 06:02:14 pm
content: I buy these off ebay. I usually look for the model cars part suppliers, etc. they sell good quality nuts, bolt, etc. I use these quite often:http://www.ebay.ca/itm/10-x-Socket-Head-Cap-Screws-M3-x-8mm-CA024-/271253945673?pt=Radio_Control_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f27febd49&_uhb=1

author: djacobow
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2014, 07:01:44 pm
content: Thanks for the tips. I'll try McMaster, too.There's actually a Fastenal in my town. I went and they were pretty spare on metric stuff, and didn't have standoffs at all. Was kind of surprised. It's definitely hard to get a hold of this sort of hardware in a "this afternoon" time frame where I live. If you've got a few days, its' easier. :-)Quote from: ajb on July 03, 2014, 05:33:49 pm

author: tjb1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 01:06:39 pm
content: I'll never shop at Fastenal again after they tried to charge me $.50 a screw plus $5 shipping to get something they didn't have stock of sent in. Went to McMaster and bought a whole box of 25 I believe and had it shipped cheaper than buying the 4-5 I needed from Fastenal.I think Fastenal rules are determined by the local manager, I've had few(very few) good experiences with them but lately they started the crap where you either buy a whole box or they charge a fee and everything else.

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 02:50:50 pm
content: i have been ordering various from this seller:http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/gwr-fasteners/m.htmleurope though..

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 09:50:17 pm
content: I bought a lot of nylon standoffs screws nuts on ebay from:Seller informationwshupu1594What I am still looking for are decent priced standoffs that have a "click" pcb m3 mechanism, you know where you can click the pcb on and you have to push a pin on each standoff to release it again. If someone knows an ebay seller forbthose let me know

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 05:57:58 am
content: not these?http://www.ebay.com/itm/400660939568http://www.ebay.com/itm/390873954931Almost as simple, but you need a 3mm sleeve or something to easily remove the board

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 07:55:30 am
content: Quote from: neslekkim on July 08, 2014, 05:57:58 amYes but then on one side only , the other side a 3mm female or male thread would be preferred. I like the standoffs to be mounted tight and not to wiggle like these do

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 10:25:12 am
content: if you see the comment on one of them, it seems they have something like that?"Available in Push-In, Lock-In and Screw Mountable Styles, Ideally suited for PCB packaging and stacking applications"

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 10:34:02 am
content: these?http://www.ebay.com/itm/271542315154http://www.ebay.com/itm/290952503611(bad picture and info though)http://www.ebay.com/itm/390880544199M4http://www.ebay.com/itm/331219317302http://www.ebay.com/itm/271533035876I searched for "pcb support screw"

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 10:56:38 am
content: Yes thanks some of them are very nice and usefull although for some the $58 shipping costs are a bit highBut I will look further on ebay should be something there to be found

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 06:01:09 am
content: In Australia you could tryhttp://www.smallparts.com.au/They seem to have an amazing range of stuff, and everything I've bought from them worked out well.