Is there a cheap online supplier (like LCSC) for screws? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2022, 08:50:25 am
content: Aliexpress is great for some very common types such as M3. It's almost useless for UNC #6-32 because of a lot of M3 listings also keyword spamming #6-32 (and Alix doesn't support -minus notation in searches).Big western suppliers (digikey, element14, rs-components) are a lot more sane to navigate, but often don't have the sizes or head types I want and can be quite expensive (a dollar per screw!). For things like wafer-head self tapping screws I need to go to a local hardware, settle for small wafer heads (defeating much of the purpose) or settle for "truss" head (which again seems smaller).McMaster Carr is America-only.Are there some nice, super-sorted online-ordering screw suppliers? I don't need anything fancy (like exact platings or HT) for most of what I use. I feel like I must be missing something.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2022, 08:59:31 am
content: I tend to select fasteners from Würth or Fabory. Im honestly not sure if they are operating outside the EU though.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2022, 09:19:12 am
content: For small sizes in Oz there is a few offerings likehttps://www.smallparts.com.au/not so much a general Nut and Bolt supplier but great for specials.For my purposes as I am out in the Bush fairly much is a I carry a good range of 2, 2.5 (more limited), 3 and 4mm in a range of heads, lengths washers nuts and bits. I built these up over time from AliX and evilbay and replace them as they get low. I also carry a few hundred of some sizes I use for a few regular jobs. I generally carry this selection in Stainless only as the cost difference isn't a lot over local offerings.Generally M5 and 6 and up Bunnings, Mitre 10 do ok at and I use a fairly nearby speciality Bolt supplier when it comes to imperial and oddballs but whenever possible I avoid anything non metric on new stuff or builds.

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2022, 09:58:39 am
content: Quote from: tszaboo on June 22, 2022, 08:59:31 amOoh ooh.https://eshop.wurth.com.au/They have an Australian targeted eshop, curious.No prices unless you make an account, so I made one. I get a feeling that you might be shown better prices if you provide an ABN and answer some of their signup questions differently, but going through these hoops gives me the heeby jeebies. What other questions do I have to answer right? Why are you hiding the prices when none of my other good suppliers do that? Is it going to make a 50% difference or a 5% difference? If I have to ask their prices then they don't want me.Everything turns out to be reasonably expensive (0.40-1AUD per screw for the sizes I looked at). I've added them to my list of western suppliers to check for my next work (non-personal) projects, along with Digikey et al.https://www.fabory.com/No prices without an account. No account without a "VAT" number (not an ABN). We're part of Eurovision, that counts right?Quote from: beanflying on June 22, 2022, 09:19:12 amTY. I'm already lost in their densely forested website, but there is some interesting stuff.QuoteDitto. For metric this is really easy, which leads onto...QuoteI use #6-32 instead of M3 in my 3d printed parts because it's a bit coarser. Are there metric sizes for coarse/plastic-cutting threads that are "common"?

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2022, 10:10:18 am
content: Knurlnuts - ALWAYS. 3d printed threads below maybe 6mm suck bigtime. Same deal I carry one or two lengths and 2-6mm. Evilbay for a source.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2022, 10:25:46 am
content: This is most of my smaller range as an idea. The 3 and 4mm trays are actually 3D printed with a sliding closure and stainless hinge pins. I will fish out a link for the STL's here as I did post them somewhere ages ago.edit just checked an cant find a link with the stl's but I can upload them if anyone wants them

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2022, 10:54:15 am
content: Quote from: beanflying on June 22, 2022, 10:10:18 amI use threaded inserts where I have to repeatedly install/remove fasteners.I otherwise have good luck with M3 threads directly in PLA, BUT I use a dab of lubricant and never use shallower than 5mm of thread (otherwise hand-tightening torque strips them).

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2022, 03:02:05 pm
content: Quote from: Whales on June 22, 2022, 09:58:39 amThey are B2B and I thought you would need it for work, for hobby I don't think they are the best.I am not sure about their pricing for a few pieces, usually they sell it like "A box of ~3000 m3 screw) or something like that, where the price per screw is a cent or something insignificant.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2022, 03:17:33 pm
content: Ebay is usually good for random small qtys of screws. Also places that specialise in supplying modelling etc.Anywhere else will likely be selling by the box of 1000+

author: jfiresto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2022, 03:18:20 pm
content: TME carriesa tolerable variety of small screwsand they appear to ship to Oz.

author: sairfan1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2022, 03:30:36 pm
content: I bought huge lots of variety screws/nuts from this aliexpress supplier and they all sounds good to me, price also looks good.https://www.aliexpress.com/store/5791120