You Know You Are Old When

[scootr]

If I need a M3 or 5 or whatever I try to order a box of them to keep on the shelf. McMaster is my poison.

 

[not2old]

I have them sorted by thread type and it's rare I need to go buy any unless I need more than a few. Before I retired I kept a box of each machine screw thread size in the longest length available and cut them to the length needed. I remember even cutting wood screws with a mini grinder when I didn't have the right length. I also had a box of each length of bolt from 1/4 to 1/2 in all SAE threads. My neighbour says I have a better selection than the local hardware store.

 

[not2old]

I'll give you that one.
It's happened a few times.

Only did that once. I've recently used some tools that sat unused for more than twenty years.

 

[scootr]

I gave some tools away recently to the Boy Scouts for tradesman classes. Felt good but I was hesitant

 

[WinterDeere]

The odds seem to be very high that within a week or less after throwing something out it could/would have been usefull.

Isn’t that the effing truth. I cannot count the number of times I finally got tired of storing something, tossed it after several years, and then the need for it appears within weeks. Sometimes even days!

 

[Eagle1]

Isn’t that the effing truth. I cannot count the number of times I finally got tired of storing something, tossed it after several years, and then the need for it appears within weeks. Sometimes even days!

I've dug stuff out of my scrap bin hours after throwing it out...

 

[WinterDeere]

If I need a M3 or 5 or whatever I try to order a box of them to keep on the shelf. McMaster is my poison.

I have been buying from McMaster for about 30 years, they’re at my house at least once per week, often more. But their fastener cost is just insane anymore. I’m happy to pay 2x - 3x more, to get the fasteners same-day or next day, which is McMaster’s speed here. But I don’t need to spend 10x - 20x, which is where their pricing seems to run, anymore.

For all but emergency stuff anymore, I use AFT Fasteners. They are an order of magnitude cheaper than McMaster, especially if buying more than just a few pieces, but delivery takes a week rather than same-day or next-day.

 

[WinterDeere]

I have them sorted by thread type and it's rare I need to go buy any unless I need more than a few.

Same. I’ll buy boxes for planned projects, but probably 90% of the time, I already have a half box left over from some prior project, of anything I need spur-of-the-moment.

Having it sorted really helps.

 

[MossRoad]

Is she good enough to distinguish M5 from #10-32? I've been dealing with both my whole life, and still sometimes have to remember the job from which that screw came or look for clues in head style, to know for sure.

Yep. Young people are amazing.

 

[MossRoad]

How many 1/4-20 nuts does one need?