Where do you guys buy hardware.

[EddieWalker]

Here in Tyler, we have a place called East Texas Fastener. They specialize in nuts and bolts of every size with great prices. If I want something really odd, or hard to find, I go online to McMaster-Carr. But most of the time, I'm already at Home Depot or Lowes, and usually find what I need there.

We have two Tractor Supply stores in Tyler, and another up the road about the same distance in a much smaller town of Gilmer. The original one in Tyler is horrible. Never have anything in stock, and nobody knows what it is, or if they ever sold it. The new one is just a few years old and night and day better. I went from never buying anything from TSC, to finding some great deals at the new store. And if they don't have it, like a 16ft green wire gate fence, the one in Gilmer does!!!

 

[sd455dan]

In our area
Fastenal or Tri-Con Bolt, and
- for simple grade 5 stuff Co-Op because it is under $3 a lb. bulk.

I Will not buy from Home Depot- because their by the Bolt price is just to high.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

We have two Tractor Supply stores in Tyler, and another up the road about the same distance in a much smaller town of Gilmer. The original one in Tyler is horrible. Never have anything in stock, and nobody knows what it is, or if they ever sold it. The new one is just a few years old and night and day better. I went from never buying anything from TSC, to finding some great deals at the new store. And if they don't have it, like a 16ft green wire gate fence, the one in Gilmer does!!!

When shopping at big box stores, if you have a choice always pick the one that opened most recently in your area. Corporate management really focuses on stores having smooth openings, they know that first impressions are lasting impressions. So when a new store opens they will move the most knowledgeable and helpful employees from other stores around the region to make sure the new store opens smoothly. So a store that has been open for a long time has had all of their good people stripped away.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

We have several choices beside Lowes and Home Depot around here. As stated before; HD is not a hardware store (confirmed) and I never go there for that purpose. Our Lowes is pretty good even have a the specialty bins. WILCO is a local farm store that has a huge fastener section with bulk graded bolts, True Value Hardware, Some tractor supplies, , good animal feeds and supplies and 10% military discount. Wilco has the best prices on bolts. Fastenal and Tacoma Screw are other good sources. Tractor Supply is the last place I will go as they are 20-30% more expensive across the board, no one knows anything, and real poor stock control. I will usually make a phone call to Fastenal and Tacoma Screw to make sure they have what I want. Lowes usually has what I want but again their stock control sucks and they only have the fast movers of a specific manufacturer.

Most places that used to be wholesale or contractor only now sell to anybody over the counter. They have tiered pricing based on quantity and/or resale. Usually (but not always) their public sale prices are higher than the big box stores and other hardware stores. Probably the web sales affect that business model as they sell to anybody at their retail prices

Ron

 

[ultrarunner]

We had a local hardware store that had most anything you needed in fasteners. A few years ago they became an Ace affiliate but he kept all his normal hardware. After 125 years and at least 3 generations he sold out to another Ace hardware owner. They have been closed since june one for remodeling. I'm going to be disappointed when they reopen.

My goto was the ACE that occupied a full city block with plenty of parking... opened in 1946...

It was sold and did not last a year before being shuttered... several other family hardware stores around here have closed for good too... and they had a lot of variety... sad to see them go...

I do shop Grainger a lot and no freight charges with a National Account.

 

[Wagtail]

Mitre/10 is my local hardware store and they have a general selection for home maintenance. For tractor stuff I'll drive into Scotsdale (1.45 hr one way) or a two hour trip to Longford.

Bunnings (with a 'B') is my go-to box-store hardware in Kings Meadows.

Anything else you'd like to know about Northern Tasmania?

 

[Garandman]

Ive bought stuff from Amazon a lot cheaper than HD & lowes.

Every time we need something, I try to buy an assortment. A lot cheaper in the long run then buying them bolt by bolt, not even considering travel time.

Buy more on eBay than Amazon.

 

[HillStreet]

Ace Hardware, Fastenal, or online at Bolt Depot for quantity like shear pins, etc.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Another vote for Fastenal, if I need quality AND quantity, and YES, they do sell retail. Great customer service, too.

But if it's just the odd piece, Lowes or TSC. Mine are pretty well organized. Well, ONE of the Lowes near me has a disaster of a plumbing department, but that's another story.

 

[sixdogs]

Mitre/

...

Anything else you'd like to know about Northern Tasmania?

I thought you would never ask. Yes, lots more pictures, more description of people and life there, types of farms, tractors farming, crops or animals produced, etc.

 

[Big Barn]

Yes, Wagtail.

Relaxed liquor laws? Drinking age?

And is prostitution legal...?

 

[John Fitzgerald]

Within 4 miles: True value and a well stocked mom and pop home center. Within 15 miles: two TSC, two Lowes, Fastenal, HD, two Ace stores, Meeks, and a well stocked local lumber yard.
I usually go to the closer places first, to avoid going to the city.

 

[two_bit_score]

I heard a HD manager telling his "associates"...that 'Home Depot' "WAS NOT A HARDWARE STORE"...FWIW...!

THAT's a GIVEN.


TBS

 

[two_bit_score]

In Texas we have a family owned small chain of stores called McCoy's that I like.

McCoy's Building Supply


I think they get overlooked sometimes but they usually have what I need and they are conveniently located throughout Texas for me. All around great people to do business with also.


TBS

 

[Wagtail]

Yes, Wagtail.

Relaxed liquor laws? Drinking age?

And is prostitution legal...?

Quick answers: Plenty of alcohol available from the "Bottle-O" (beer/wine/spirits shops), some of which are 'drive-through'! :thumbsup: Also over-the-counter 'off-sale' purchases at most pubs.

The minimum drinking age is 18.

In Tassie, prostitution is legal. BUT 'streetwalking' and bawdy houses are illegal. One or two practitioners can run a 'business' out of a residence or hotel room.

Other States have different laws. I know that NSW and Victoria can have brothels. Heck, there's a brothel in Melbourne that's on the stock-exchange.

 

[Firemanbuck82]

We have a great old tyme hardware store in town called Olympia Supply. Family run for something like 50 years, although now they True Value have a stake. If you need it, they have it; nails in bins sold by the pound, bolts, fasteners, pipe and pipe fittings, rope, chain, tubing, hose, paint, canning supplies, tools. The back half of the store has girders supporting the ceiling that were a part of Galloping Gerty the bridge over the Tacoma Narrows which collapsed. The only problem is that they aren't open on Sundays. So on sundays I'll go to TSC or reluctantly Lowes if I need something.

 

[dragoneggs]

For common stuff, HD. Convenient. Tacoma Screw for tougher to find... and I can buy the exact quantity I want. And for all you folks that don't bother to put your 'bad pulls' back in the right bin... Com'n Man!!! I find this behavior extremely lazy, very inconsiderate, and a reflection of your character. :thumbdown:

 

[Big Barn]

Quick answers: Plenty of alcohol available from the "Bottle-O" (beer/wine/spirits shops), some of which are 'drive-through'! :thumbsup: Also over-the-counter 'off-sale' purchases at most pubs.

The minimum drinking age is 18.

In Tassie, prostitution is legal. BUT 'streetwalking' and bawdy houses are illegal. One or two practitioners can run a 'business' out of a residence or hotel room.

Other States have different laws. I know that NSW and Victoria can have brothels. Heck, there's a brothel in Melbourne that's on the stock-exchange.

Ahhh. As I thought. Thank you, Wagtail. Considerably more civilized than Canada....

Around here you don't have to go far (or do much) to get SCREWed by our government, but good sources of fastener hardware are few and far between.

Terry

 

[Big Barn]

For common stuff, HD. Convenient. Tacoma Screw for tougher to find... and I can buy the exact quantity I want. And for all you folks that don't bother to put your 'bad pulls' back in the right bin... Com'n Man!!! I find this behavior extremely lazy, very inconsiderate, and a reflection of your character. :thumbdown:

Don't even get me STARTED

I WILL say this. If you need to put a part back and you're unsure which bin to return it too (or even if you're too friggin' LAZY) leave it OUT rather than getting them mixed up.

Terry

Edit: after posting, I snapped this pic of my own bolt bin. I myself am guilty of being lazy....

 

[downsizingnow48]

For high quality wood fasteners I get just about everything from McFeely's online. For high quality and specialized screws, nuts, bolts it is McMaster-Carr. For a lot of day to day needs, here in Sacramento there is Blue Collar Supply. They sell a wide range of fasteners by the pound, at prices much less than Ace, HD, Lowes. If I absolutely need something on a Sunday I go to the local Ace which has a good selection, good quality, and helpful staff.