Looking for a hardware source in Winnipeg

[David Dunlop]

Been having a bit of a challenge recently sourcing 1/4 inch, round head slotted machine screws in the Winnipeg area. Most of the usual places have gone the route of a 'universal' head set up for slot/Phillips/Robertson.

Also getting difficult to find plain steel, slot head, countersunk, wood screws. Most all of these seem to be plated now and either Robertson or Phillips.

David

[rob love]

For the wood screws, go to a place that deals in restoration of antique furniture. They normally salvage all the screws off furniture that is too far gone to save.

As to finding slot drive non-chromated screws locally, you can just about forget it. I have one or two places in Saskatchewan and Alberta who have old stock of these kinds of things, and I normally buy a couple Hundred $$ worth each time I am through.

They can be ordered on line of course, google is your friend. So is ebay.

If you were a little closer Dave, I could likely help you out. I keep a reasonable (for a packrat) stock on the shelves.

[David Dunlop]

Thanks, Rob. I expected I was going to have to expand my search parameters. Not that long ago there used to be a huge hardware operation on Wall Street, North of Portage Avenue that stocked pretty much everything one could think of, including BSF items. Went in one day looking for some BGC hardware and scored a great deal on several pounds worth of every size they had in stock. The older chap who served me was delighted to reduce the inventory of stuff to count after no requests for so many years!

David

[Jordan Baker]

I get all my fasteners from Fastenal. They have a pretty good selection and prices are very good. They also usually are able to get the order in within a day or two. The only downside is that they now require a business identification number.

Their website is pretty easy to navigate and locate an inventory number for the item you are looking for.

I did a quick check and they have a huge selection of 1/4 round headed slotted machine screws and slotted wood screws.

To easily remove the zinc coating I made up a sheet of metal with a bunch of nuts welded to it. Simply screw in the fasteners and run it through the sandblaster. Coincidentally you now have an easy fixture to prime/paint them aswell.

[David Dunlop]

Thanks, Jordan. I will check them out.

David

[Harry Moon]

I've been using Amazon with some success lately. Tapered flat head slotted 1/4x20. and a few others.

[Bob Carriere]

Hi David

check them out on the Web...... you can access the digital catalogue.... you will be drooling for hours.

You will no doubt need to find an industrial shop in Winnipeg that will order them for you and if you already have the part number it makes it easier for them. Be prepared to order by the 50 or 100 unit.... it still cheaper and you have spares.

Fastenal has decreed that they will no longer sell retail but locally a few block away from Fastenal a ma and pa shop will gladly order them for us for the same price or better than Fastenal...... I wish them,,,, nah... can't be mean at Xmas.

I think I have cleaned out all the old stock within 100 KM of Ottawa.



Cheers

[rob love]

Spaenur is available thru Adams supply over on Wall street, but best bring a stool for the sticker shock. They are not cheap. I imagine that is the place you were talking about back in post #3 in this thread.

Go on ebay and punch in 1/4 round slot screw into the search window. Lots to choose from.

One thing to consider as well is if you are restoring older equipment, plated bolts may not be correct for what you are trying to repair. Pretty much anything produced these days is.

Here is another favorite of mine for slotted screws along with other hardware. http://www.fmwfasteners.com/products...Machine-Screws

I have bought a fair bit of hardware from them and even had them phone me if I specified "plain finish" and all they had on hand is plated. Plain would have taken 3 days to get, and they did not want to hold up my order.

I normally had them ship to my border parcel service, so can't remember if they ship directly to Canada.

[Bob Carriere]

You can sandblast but its slow.....

I found that using the small gun blueing bottles and dipping in the solution turns the plating slightly rough and dark color. Will even work on bolts already installed by dabbing with a small paint brush..... makes the OD color stay on better.

[Phil Waterman]

Hi

One trick that I found works pretty good to dull hardware plating is to dip it in metal prep. It dulls the plating and makes paint stick to it much better. You need to wash the the metal prep off, I find hot water works best to wash with.

Wtih the 1/4x20 floor screws wanting to keep the plating on the threads just stand the screws on their heads in a shallow pan of metal prep for 5-10 minutes then wash.

With fender bolts, flat washers and lock washers I just throw all the hardware in a basket spray down really good with metal prep let stand for 5-10 minutes then wash down with hot water the hotter the better then dump all the hardware out too dry before using them.

Cheers Phil

[Jack Innes]

I have found that Muriatic Acid (dilute hydrochloric acid) will totally remove the bright chromate plating from modern fasteners. It is very fast & easily washes off with water. This is available at most hardware stores & is used to clean concrete & as a drain cleaner.

It is best to submerge the parts in the acid until the fizzing stops. The same acid will clean hundreds of fasteners if you keep it in a jar with a lid.

Eye protection, rubber gloves & good ventilation are a must.

Heavily plated items will leave a dark residue which comes off with a wire wheel easily prior to painting.

[wheaty]

To remove the plating off of nuts, bolts and screws us any of the RUST cleaners available at any Canadian Tire store, Princess Auto or your local auto shop.
Evaporust works well as does LLoyds which is available at Princess Auto.
The best was phosphoric acid which Canadian tire sold under their brand of rust remover but phosphoric acid has now been removed from the shelves.
Still used in food but not sold on the domestic market anymore.
If you need a large amount you can order food grade in Canada and believe it or not is is "kosher".
Go figure....
Remember to thoroughly wash all stripped components in cold water, then flush with hot water and then spray with LPS 2 to prevent rust flashing.
I clean plating off fasteners on a weekly basis, however if you are looking for a source of none plated fasteners PM me as a chap I deal with has everything you would never need. PM me and I'll pass his contact info on to you.
He is in Oregon and I'd post it here now but cannot remember his business name right now but have it in my source book downstairs.

[rob love]

Warren: Welcome to the forum....nice to see you here. I hope you will be long time resident, as I know you are a wealth of knowledge.

Canadian tire now sells metal-prep from POR-15, which I believe is phosphoric acid. I use it for the final clean the inside of gas tanks before coating them with the lining, so I can't speak as to how it works on plating of hardware.

[wheaty]

Rob: Thanks for the welcome and I actually have been a "lurker" here for about 10 years. Just never had the time to post but hope to be able to spread a bit of knowledge on some subjects.

[Robert Bergeron]

Hi Warren, welcome to MLU.

Post as often as you like.

Your knowledge is greatly needed and appreciated.

Robert

[wheaty]

Robert:
Thanks for the welcome and I do see many other familiar names here as well.
The name of the company that I deal with for odd ball and antique fasteners is: BLACKSMITH BOLT & RIVET COMPANY.
Just do a search for him and you will see the most amazing array of old, antique and vintage wood screws, nuts and bolts and fasteners
Good guy to deal with and the shipping price might scare you but what he does is refund you the difference of what the web site charges and the actual postage. I use PAYPAL when paying and any overage in postage is credited back to my PAYPAL.
cheers,