best source for screws, nut, standoffs, etc?

[djacobow]

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

[SeanB]

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.

[djacobow]

Thanks. I found some kits on Mouser and Digikey, but I think for this I'm going to hit up fleabay.

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.

[tjb1]

McMaster Carr
http://www.mcmaster.com/#

Bolt Depot
http://www.boltdepot.com/Default.aspx

Mr Metric
http://www.mrmetric.com/

RTL Fasteners
http://rtlfasteners.com/

[cowana]

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 Electronics
http://www.toby.co.uk/

[aroby]

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

[ajb]

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 SuperStore is good.

There's also Fastenal, 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.

[Prime73]

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

[djacobow]

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. :-)

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 SuperStore is good.

There's also Fastenal, 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.

[tjb1]

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.

[neslekkim]

i have been ordering various from this seller:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/gwr-fasteners/m.html
europe though..

[Kjelt]

I bought a lot of nylon standoffs screws nuts on ebay from:
Seller information
wshupu1594

What 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 

[neslekkim]

not these?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400660939568
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390873954931

Almost as simple, but you need a 3mm sleeve or something to easily remove the board

[Kjelt]

not these?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400660939568
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390873954931
Almost as simple, but you need a 3mm sleeve or something to easily remove the board

Yes 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 

[neslekkim]

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"

[neslekkim]

these?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271542315154
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290952503611  (bad picture and info though)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390880544199  M4
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331219317302
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271533035876

I searched for "pcb support screw"

[Kjelt]

Yes thanks some of them are very nice and usefull although for some the $58 shipping costs are a bit high 
But I will look further on ebay should be something there to be found 

[TerraHertz]

In Australia you could try http://www.smallparts.com.au/
They seem to have an amazing range of stuff, and everything I've bought from them worked out well.