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Value for Money Metric Nut & Bot Assortment ?
Tris - 3/12/09 at 09:50 AM

Morning all,

Ive been getting ready to start my new kit build in January and have been busy trying to sort out the workshop. One of the things which i have been on the lookout for is a metric stainless nut/washer/bolt assortment box.

Its just for the occasions where you find bits missing or bolts not quite long enough. M4 - M10 or various lengths with washers and nuts etc.

There seams to be a huge spread of these (ebay inc), and i suppose i don't mind spending a bit of money (well, say £50) for something that's going to last. Has anyone got any recommendations regards to who offers the best value kit ?

Cheers and thanks
Tris

nick205 - 3/12/09 at 09:57 AM

Personally I've always found these assortment boxes include a whole load of sizes you'll never use and not enough of the sizes you will.

I invested in a bag of M8 bolts, washers and nylocks which sufficed for most jobs then bought in smaller quantities for anything specific.

Ebay and Namrick are both good online sources - Namrick are particularly efficient and helpful.

I also have 2 very good locla nut, bolt and tool trade counters (most towns have them) who are happy to provide small quantities.

Just my personal experience and preference though

Mr Whippy - 3/12/09 at 10:05 AM

Car Builder solutions do one at a reasonable price

As most of your car will be M5 & M8 I'd just get a bag of them, go to a bolt wholesaler and not B&Q etc

Dangle_kt - 3/12/09 at 10:07 AM

Google fastner suppliers near where you live, getting a friendly local company is better for so many reasons.

steve m - 3/12/09 at 10:10 AM

I have to agree, buy a big bag of
8mm 8.8 bolts of varying sizes from 15mm long to 50mm long
a big bag of washers
and an even bigger bag of lock nuts (as they WILL be undone many times before your road legal

The other useful size is 5mm bolts so get a bag of them as well with washers and lock nuts

Most of the other sizes will come with the parts like propshaft engine to gear box etc

It is usefull to keep them in plastic boxs, like the takeawy ones, so they are always handy, portable and tidy

Steve

steve m - 3/12/09 at 10:14 AM

I should point out that the type of bolts that "B&Q type of wholesaler" sell. are made of cheese. and apart from holding braketry and the like, are NOT suitable for a road going car

Staple balls - 3/12/09 at 10:16 AM

I tend to use plain (not nyloc) nuts on stuff I'm likely to take apart again, don't need tools to get them finger tight, which is great for test fitting stuff, saves a fair bit of time.

nick205 - 3/12/09 at 10:22 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Staple balls
I tend to use plain (not nyloc) nuts on stuff I'm likely to take apart again, don't need tools to get them finger tight, which is great for test fitting stuff, saves a fair bit of time.



Good advice - I did this on a number of fixings during the build to save consuming nylocks.

Important to check carefully at the end and replace with nylocks though!

tegwin - 3/12/09 at 10:25 AM

Dont forget that for box quantities Screwfix are a pretty good bet..

I wouldnt use their stuff for holding the wheels on, but for general fixings etc the quality seems pretty good.

Deffinately worth having boxes of M10, M8, M6 with full nuts and nylocks... Always handy for making little tools, or using to fix things down..

I also recomend getting a basic set of taps+dies... really useful thing to have on hand!

Tris - 3/12/09 at 10:31 AM

Cool - thanks for all the advice.

I am in stevenage working at the mo (well, surfing the internet so will see if there's any local fixing suppliers or take a walk down to screwfix.

Cheers
Tris

Staple balls - 3/12/09 at 10:31 AM

quote:
Originally posted by tegwin
I also recomend getting a basic set of taps+dies... really useful thing to have on hand!


Very much this, though beware cheapy stuff.

Years ago I got a cheap crappy tap and die set, the dies aren't terrible, but the taps are made out of cheese.

Instead I've been buying what I need off ebay and www.ukdrills.com slowly building a decent collection and making my life easier.

dogwood - 3/12/09 at 10:45 AM

quote:
Originally posted by steve m
I should point out that the type of bolts that "B&Q type of wholesaler" sell. are made of cheese. and apart from holding braketry and the like, are NOT suitable for a road going car


I totally agree with Steve.
Be aware of cheep bolts, they probably wont be 8.8. so are no good for our use.

David

Hammerhead - 3/12/09 at 11:44 AM

also i dont think stainless are 8.8 they are weaker as far as i know

mad4x4 - 3/12/09 at 12:04 PM

quote:
Originally posted by steve m
I should point out that the type of bolts that "B&Q type of wholesaler" sell. are made of cheese. and apart from holding braketry and the like, are NOT suitable for a road going car


WATCH B&Q some of there bolts are not stamped 8.8 and are therefore 4.4's !

mad4x4 - 3/12/09 at 12:06 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Hammerhead
also i dont think stainless are 8.8 they are weaker as far as i know


Stainless copme in two Grade (maybe more) A2 and A4. These are both softer than an 8.8 Bolt.


ALSO watch Nut can have a grade as well. No point in fitting a 12.9 Grade Bolt with a nut made of CHEESE>


Look on www.yell.com for a Fasteners supplier and buy a few boxes of various sizes. I spent about £90 at the suppliers about 2 Years ago and only recently run out of one of the M6 sizes. Got about 2000 Pieces in All including Nylocs normals spring washers etc.

Buying by the box will be cheaper than 3's & 4's of sizes.

[Edited on 3/1212/09 by mad4x4]

[Edited on 3/1212/09 by mad4x4]

stuart_g - 3/12/09 at 05:35 PM

I'm glad someone eventually commented on stainless bolts. Yes they look nice and shiney but they in my opinion have no place in a build of a car except for non critical areas.