[sdiy] nuts&bolts: where to buy?

[Simon Gatrall]

>OK, plenty of sources & catalogs for components, but I'm
>stumped by small hardware. Any 'obvious' sources for stuff like
>'black M4 bolt 5mm long'? Only looking for a thousand or so.
>Is there a mechanical Digikey or Mouser equivalent? Not looking
>for hyper-expensive modeller shops ;D
>
>paul perry Melb Aust

All the suppliers that I know of are local, or at least US based.  I 
would think that there would be some distributors in all the major 
cities in australia that deal with hardware.  In the US there are 
nationwide places like McMaster-Carr or Graingers that carry a fairly 
good selection of screws, nuts, bolts, washers, etc., in  addition to 
just about every other hardware type supply that a business might 
buy, but for really serious selection I would go to companies that I 
happen to know of here in Silicon Valley, like Olander.  Part of the 
key here is that you are looking for a place that usually deals with 
corporate accounts, not individual hobbyists - they probably aren't 
going to be in the Yellow Pages (do you even call it that in 
Australia?).  If you know any local machine shops, ask them where 
they buy their hardware.

For some types of screws you can also just go directly to the 
manufacturer.  Yes you might have to buy 2000, but if they're small, 
it might only be $12.

Simon Gatrall
gatrall at pacbell.net